Why Are Backer Rods So Important?

Any professional renovator or contractor knows the importance of the trusty and humble backer rod.  Still, many ask why there is a need for backing material in the application of sealants. Shouldn’t sealants, by nature of their name, be able to finish the job alone?

The fact is sealants will always perform better if a backer rod is used, especially when applied to wood and concrete.

The use of the backer rod serves two primary functions:

- To give the sealant an appropriate surface to stick to so that it will not tear away from the material when it stretches.

- To help fill the gaps between sealant and materials so that the sealant can stretch and contract without getting damaged. 

A backer rod has to be inert and won’t react with the sealant. It should also not deform when the sealant is applied over it. More importantly, the backer rod should be able to withstand high temperatures without distorting.

Backer rods can also help in other ways.

When used in doors and windows, they can provide additional insulation, thus increasing the energy efficiency of a house in their own small way. They can also help to block drafts that try to sneak in through the gaps, making your windows and doors sturdier and more reliable.

There are different types of backer rods to serve specific purposes. One of the most popular types of backer rods is the soft backer rod, which Alcot Plastics Ltd supplies. A soft backer rod is a type of backup material that is softer, non-gassing, and bi-cellular. It works well with most known cold applied sealants and aids in the sealant assuming its optimum hour-glass shape. No bond breaker is required in its application.

Backer rods are used in a wide variety of applications, such as expansion and contraction joints, window glazing, curtain wall construction partitions, parking decks, bridge and highway construction pavement maintenance, and log home chinking. Contact Alcot Plastics today to learn more about our backer rods.