Innovative Silicone Technologies help Green Buildings

A new generation of silicone based adhesives and sealants from Dow Corning are helping Indian architects design distinctive, modern structures, and at the same time is enabling them to meet the growing demand for environmentally sustainable design and construction techniques.

Structures thus designed are termed "green buildings", and among other features, typically have high ceilings and use high performance glass in windows to maximize daylight without compromising energy efficiency of the building. Dow Corning’s window sealant technology saves energy by replacing traditional gaskets and metal inserts with silicone sealants to hold window glass into frames. The sealants allow window manufacturers to create larger, more efficient windows that provide better thermal insulation and let in more daylight, which reduces the need for artificial lighting. Silicone sealant technology enables the absorption of stress, prevents air & water intrusion and provides excellent insulation between window layers. A properly insulated building envelope keeps the interiors warm in winter and cooler in summer.

In addition, silicone products last longer than organic products and need to be replaced less often. This reduces the waste and solvent usage that results from sealing (and resealing) the building with an organic sealant.