Hurry, don't miss savings on selected furniture & more.* Shop all offers
1 Product
Silicone: Your essential buying guide
For bathrooms, kitchens and other damp areas, look for sanitary silicone designed for wet environments. These products are typically intended for sealing around baths, showers, sinks, worktops and tiles, where flexibility and water resistance are important.
Clear silicone is useful where you want the seal to blend into glass, metal or mixed surfaces, while white silicone is often chosen for baths, basins, tiles and uPVC where a bright visible line is preferred. Other colours may suit stone, timber-effect finishes or darker fittings.
Most standard silicone is not suitable for painting, as paint may not adhere properly. If you need a paintable finish, check whether an alternative sealant is more appropriate, or look specifically for products described as paintable before buying.
Interior silicone is commonly used for kitchens, bathrooms and general indoor sealing, while exterior silicone is intended for weather-exposed joints such as window frames, doors and external gaps. For outdoor use, check that the product is suitable for UV exposure, temperature changes and the materials being sealed.
This depends on the bead size, joint depth and total length you need to seal. Measure the run before comparing cartridges or tubes, and allow a little extra for wastage, tooling and any areas that need resealing after old silicone has been removed.
Silicone is used to seal joints, gaps and edges where a flexible, water-resistant finish is needed. Choosing the right one depends on the room, surface, colour and the level of movement or moisture the seal will face.
For wet rooms, showers, baths and sinks, compare sanitary silicone designed for areas exposed to water and steam. For glazing, frames and external openings, look for silicone suitable for windows, doors and weather-facing joints.
If you are sealing general gaps indoors, check whether the product is intended for the materials involved, such as ceramic tiles, glass, metal, uPVC, laminate or painted surfaces.
White silicone is a common choice around sanitaryware and white tiles, while clear silicone can create a less obvious seal on glass, chrome, metal or patterned surfaces. Grey, black or other colours may work better with stone-effect tiles, darker worktops or modern fittings.
Consider the final look before buying. A neat bead in the right colour can make a repair or installation look cleaner, especially in visible areas such as shower screens, splashbacks and worktop edges.
Most building silicone is supplied in cartridges for use with a sealant gun, which helps apply an even bead along longer joints. Smaller tubes can be useful for quick repairs, touch-ups or occasional household jobs.
When comparing pack sizes, think about the total length of seal you need and whether you will use the remaining product soon after opening. Silicone can become difficult to use once opened if it is not stored correctly.
Different silicones have different curing times, so check how long the seal needs before it can be exposed to water, movement or cleaning. This matters most in bathrooms and kitchens where fixtures may be needed again quickly.
Also consider tooling time, which is the period when the bead can still be smoothed. A manageable working time helps you achieve a cleaner finish, particularly on longer runs.
Good preparation makes a major difference to the finish. Remove old silicone, clean away grease, dust and loose material, and allow the surface to dry before applying a fresh bead.
For a crisp edge, masking tape can help guide the bead and protect surrounding surfaces. Smooth the silicone before it skins over, then remove tape carefully while the seal is still workable.
Use our barcode scanner to match products instantly to find the best prices, find products with ease using our voice search and build wish lists and your favourites at the click of a button.
