Silicone
(household)

Used for bath and kitchen. Some have mold and mildew inhibitors. Forms an adhesive for tiles and metal fixtures. Seals metal joints as in plumbing and gutters.

Flexible: cured silicone allows for stretching of joints up to 3 times it's normal width or compression of 1/2 the width.

Seals most dissimilar building materials such as wood and stone, metal flashing, and brick.

Permits joints to stretch or compress. Silicones will stick to painted surfaces, but paint will not adhere to most cured silicones.

Seals joints around tub and shower. Fills cracks in tile, plaster, glass and plastic; fills nail holes.

Easy to use. Can be smoothed with a moist finger or tool. Water resistant when dry. Can be painted. Is less elastic than silicone. Varied durability ranging from 2 to 10 years. Will not adhere to metal. Very little flexibility when cured. Must be painted when used on exteriors.

Used around window and door frames in new construction. Smaller cracks. Where over expansion is a problem.

Takes 24 hours to cure. Cures to a soft consistency. Water-based foam production does not produce greenhouse gases. Will not over-expand to bend windows. Must be exposed to the air to dry. Not useful on larger gaps because curing becomes difficult.

Expands when curing. Is good for larger cracks indoors or outdoors. Use in nonfriction areas as rubber becomes rubbery and powdery over time.

Spray-foam quickly expands to fit larger shaped gaps. Is flexible. Can be applied at various temperatures. Must be painted for exterior use to protect foam from ultraviolet radiation. Manufacturing process produces greenhouse gases.

Seals most dissimilar materials such as glass, metal, plastic, wood, and concrete. Seals around windows and flashing. Bonds loose shingles.

Durable for 10 or more years. Is resilient and not brittle. Can be painted after curing for one week. Variable shrinkage. May require two applications. Does not adhere well to painted surfaces.