Mastic sealant
Mastic is commonly used on construction projects as an adhesive and sealant. It is a popular choice where one surface needs to be adhered to another in a durable bond, or where the area needs to be protected.
The most common types of material that mastic sealant can be adhered to include timber, aluminium, steel, marble, glass and various types of board, although it can be used on nearly all materials.
Examples of uses for mastic sealant include:
- Bonding ceiling, wall and floor tiles.
- Bonding plywood panels.
- As a joint-sealer for windows and doors.
- Sealing the area around bathtubs and other sanitary appliances.
- As a filler for cracks in masonry and concrete.
Mastic can be used outside because of its water-resistant, temperature-resistant and UV-resistant properties. It is also capable of resisting corrosion which makes it suitable for use with metals.
Although mastic will usually resist some applied pressure, it is not flexible enough to accommodate large movements. Due to its viscosity, it is best applied to thick rather than thinner areas of application, such as large gaps and cracks. Before applying mastic, the area may not require priming, but it should be clean and dry. It is best applied by using a caulking gun.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.