Silicone Sealants Buyer's Guide — TradieCart
From bathrooms and kitchens to swimming pools and glazing, silicone sealants are essential for waterproof, flexible joints that last. TradieCart stocks over 480 silicone sealants from Pasco, Maxisil, Mapei, Ardex, Durotech, Kerakoll, Soudal, Sika, and more — with same-day Metro Melbourne delivery.
Understanding Silicone Cure Types
The cure type determines which substrates a silicone is safe to use on:
- Acetoxy (acid cure) — Releases acetic acid during curing (vinegar smell). Fastest curing and most affordable. Excellent on glass and glazed tiles. Not safe for natural stone, mirrors, or metals.
- Neutral cure — Releases alcohol or oxime during curing. Low odour, non-corrosive, safe on virtually all substrates including stone, metals, and mirrors. The versatile choice for most trade applications.
Popular Products
| Product | Best For |
|---|---|
| Pasco Hypersil 912 | Our bestselling wet area silicone. Neutral cure, mould resistant, ±25% flexibility. The go-to for showers, baths, and kitchens. 20 colours. |
| Durotech DS100 | Budget-friendly acetoxy cure for wet areas and glazing. Antifungal and antibacterial with strong UV resistance. 22 colours. Cost-effective alternative to premium brands. |
| Durotech DS200 | Neutral cure at the same price as DS100 — safe on mirrors, stone, and metals. Choose DS200 over DS100 when working with sensitive substrates or where low odour matters. |
| Kerakoll Silicone Colour | Decorative acetic cure with an exceptional 50-colour range for precise tile and mosaic matching. Rated from −40°C to +100°C. The top choice when aesthetics are everything. |
| Maxisil A Wet Area | Widely regarded amongst tradies as the best quality wet area silicone. Premium acetic cure with the widest colour range in the category — over 70 colours. UV and mould resistant. When Kerakoll doesn't have your shade, Maxisil A will. |
| Maxisil Pool | Purpose-built for swimming pools, spas, and fountains. Extreme mould resistance, rated for permanent water submersion. Requires primer. 6 pool-appropriate colours. |
| Mapei Mapesil AC | Acetic cure with BioBlock anti-mould technology and 800% elongation. 34 colours that match the Mapei grout range for seamless joints. Also rated for pool expansion joints. |
| Ardex SE | Acetoxy cure, UV resistant, ±25% movement. ~12m per cartridge at 5×5mm joints. Colours match the Ardex grout range for seamless joints. Popular with tilers for ceramic and porcelain — not for natural stone. |
| Maxisil N / Pasco Stonesil | Premium neutral cure stone-grade silicones. Non-bleed formulas safe for marble, granite, and bluestone — no migratory staining. Maxisil N offers 50% joint movement. |
| Pasco Hypersil 911 / Soudal 701 NS | Neutral cure options for glazing and general construction. 911 suits window frames and curtain walls. 701 NS is a low-odour, MEKO-free all-rounder. 19+ colours each. |
Quick Recommendation Guide
- Standard bathroom or kitchen → Pasco Hypersil 912 (most popular) or Durotech DS200 (budget-friendly neutral cure)
- Tight budget, wet area → Durotech DS100 (acetoxy) or DS200 (neutral) — same price, choose based on substrate
- Colour matching to grout or tiles → Kerakoll Silicone Colour (50 colours) or Maxisil A (70+ colours)
- Matching your grout brand → Ardex SE for Ardex grout, Mapei Mapesil AC for Mapei grout — colour-matched for seamless joints
- Natural stone (marble, granite, bluestone) → Maxisil N or Pasco Stonesil — never use acetoxy on stone
- Swimming pool or spa → Maxisil Pool (dedicated pool formula), Mapei Mapesil AC (rated for pool joints), or Laticrete Latasil (neutral cure, resistant to pool chemicals)
- Glazing and window frames → Pasco Hypersil 911 or Durotech DS100
- Low odour, general purpose → Soudal Contractors 701 NS or Durotech DS200
Common Questions
Should I use acetoxy or neutral cure? — Neutral cure is safer and more versatile — works on stone, metals, and mirrors with low odour. Acetoxy is cheaper and cures faster but only suits non-porous surfaces like glass and glazed tiles. When in doubt, go neutral.
How long does silicone take to cure? — Skin forms in 5–30 minutes. Full cure takes 24–48 hours at 20–25°C. Allow roughly 2–3mm depth per 24 hours. Cold weather slows curing significantly.
Can I apply new silicone over old silicone? — Not recommended. New silicone bonds poorly to cured silicone. Remove the old silicone completely, clean with isopropyl alcohol, dry, then apply a fresh bead.
What is the difference between DS100 and DS200? — Same price, different cure types. DS100 is acetoxy (fast cure, great for glass and tiles). DS200 is neutral cure (low odour, safe on mirrors, stone, and metals). Choose based on your substrate.
Kerakoll Silicone Colour or Maxisil A for colour matching? — Both offer extensive palettes for precise grout and tile matching. Kerakoll has 50 decorative colours. Maxisil A has over 70. Check both ranges to find the closest match to your tile or grout.
Do I need special silicone for pools? — Yes. Standard wet area silicone handles intermittent water. Pool silicone like Maxisil Pool, Mapei Mapesil AC, or Laticrete Latasil is engineered for permanent submersion and resists pool chemicals.
Brands We Stock
Pasco, Maxisil, Mapei, Ardex, Durotech, Kerakoll, and Soudal lead our range, alongside Sika, Laticrete, Dow, GSA, TurboSeal, CTA, SA, Bostik, Antas, Admil, Tremco, and Crommelin. Browse over 480 silicone sealants with same-day Metro Melbourne dispatch.