What is Metal Roofing Butyl Tape Sealant and How Is it Used?

What is Metal Roofing Butyl Tape Sealant and How Is it Used?

Sealants are important components of a metal roof system that can impact the overall roof performance. Some sealants are applied underneath metal components and hidden from view while others are designed and applied with aesthetics in mind because they can also help improve the appearance of a roof.  In all cases, sealants need to be properly applied to be effective, so installation is key for optimal system performance.

     Let’s start with Butyl sealants, which are the behind-the-scenes workhorse of a metal roof system. Butyl sealants are always applied to metal-to-metal connections in areas that may be prone to water intrusion. Butyl sealants are available in both tape and pump-able versions.Butyl sealant's sole purpose is to prevent the intrusion of water between two pieces of metal. Without butyl sealants, capillary action, or draw could result in a leak as shown in the below drawing on the left. Simply placing butyl sealant between the two panels improves weather-tightness.The images below demonstrate how butyl tape should be applied on the underlap of a corrugated metal panel.Prolonged exposure to UV light (sunlight) will degrade the sealant, so butyls are not intended for applications that leave the sealant exposed to nature’s elements. Properly applied and unexposed to UV light, butyl sealants never cure, or harden, which makes them an excellent sealant for long-term protection against water intrusion.

Butyl/Sealant Tape designed for side and end lap sealing of metal panels, roof vents and pipe flashing, Butyl/Sealant tape provides optimum sealing in harsh environments and adheres to most clean dry metal surfaces and does not harden, bleed or stain.

Prolonged exposure to UV light (sunlight) will degrade the sealant, so butyls are not intended for applications that leave the sealant exposed to nature’s elements. Properly applied and unexposed to UV light, butyl sealants never cure, or harden, which makes them an excellent sealant for long-term protection against water intrusion.