Foam, sweet foam

Paul James, sales director at Extrudaseal, discusses the benefits of foam gaskets for bi-fold doors.

Although only a small part of the final product, a gasket can make a huge difference to the operation and performance of a window or door.

Even if you have the most advanced system on the market, a door with an under-performing gasket can have a significantly detrimental effect on weather proofing and energy performance. Something we’ve always tried to get across to our customers is the differences they can make, and how important it is to choose the right one.

The major issues that we hear of concern over-stretching or shrinking, which often leads to costly site re-visits, but also some poorly manufactured gaskets can hamper the performance of the door, leading to cold spots or draughts.

Foam seals are becoming a much more popular option for fabricators looking to improve their products, often chosen for their flexibility. Some foam seals come with issues, and are susceptible to tears or rips over time, so it’s important to be able to find a solution that eliminates all of these potential problems, which is where Se-Lon comes in.

Longer lasting seal

Our Se-Lon gaskets provide a range of benefits to manufacturers, as the TPE foam material provides an exceptional level of compression and flexibility. The daily use and wear and tear of some doors can often put stress on the gasket, causing it to tear or damage over time. But one of the benefits of using Se-Lon is its exceptional ability to return to its original shape. Even when under stress and constant use, the close cell formulation of Se-Lon means it can withstand regular use without damage.

This level of flexibility and compression helps ensure a smooth opening time after time, helping to improve the operation of windows and doors. This is also enhanced by anti-friction bars, which provide an easy glide surface.

Anti-stretch

One of the main benefits of our window and door seals is undoubtedly the anti-stretch properties. This is one issue that comes up time and time again whenever we speak to fabricators about their existing seals as they tell us about how they can stretch or shrink, resulting in costly site re-visits. Some fabricators also cut their gaskets longer to account for this inevitability, meaning they are using way more material than necessary. This anti-stretch technology is something we perfected in our PremaSeal product, but this isn’t just limited to PremaSeal. Our aluminium bi-fold seals and foam seals also benefit from anti-stretch properties, allowing us to provide a complete suite of gaskets that won’t stretch or shrink.

Thermal and acoustic performance

Something that manufacturers are always looking to do is improve the performance of their windows and doors, and the changes in Building Regulations were introduced in June put an even greater spotlight on this.

Gaskets actually have a greater impact on these areas than some may think. A poorly performing gasket can lead to a poorly performing product, with draughts and leaks becoming common and shrinking seals only accelerate this process.

But it’s not just the anti-stretch aspect that enhances the performance, the foam itself also has impressive acoustic and thermal properties. The close cell formulation and multi-air cavities help keep warmth in and cold out, as well as improving sound insulation.

Is foam the future?

While foam may not be the first choice for fabricators, it certainly is becoming a much more popular choice for those looking for high performing gaskets.

Many customers who already use foam may not be getting the desired performance, with tears and rips proving costly as they shorten the lifespan of the final product.

With Se-Lon, these issues are eliminated, providing a truly long-lasting option which helps improve the performance and operation of any window or door.