Sealing windows: urgent advice appreciated

laika

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I've just removed a large, leaking, aluminium framed window. Was going to replace it, thinking hmm... Sealant on the frame or sealant around the hole so did some googling and found a couple of people saying don't use sika 291 as you'll never get the window out again. Bloke in the chandlers says use 295, but it's an ali frame, sealant not exposed to UV or anywhere near the polycarb and I don't want to needlessly spend 30 quid.

Frame has no interscrews but is clamped in by screws on the internal trim.

So is my default choice of 291 that bad? And sealant on the frame or round the hole....
 
Sadly my choices are limited to what is in the chandlery: 290, 291i, 295 or geocel(?) Marine as I have to put this back this afternoon and have no car. How bad a plan is 291? The window does need some adhesive to hold it in: the internal trim clamps it but it was definitely stuck in with something like 291 which needed cutting
 
If you could cut the old sealant out you'll be able to cut the new stuff out if you need to. How often are you thinking or removing the window anyway? Go for the sticky stuff!!
 
Standard silicone sealant should be fine. It's flexible, easily removed if needed and fine for occasional immersion. Sika is overkill IMV.
 
Thanks all. I had to make a call and went with 291i. As the window isn't screwed it does need some adhesive. The 291 was what I had and what I've seen used by people I consider competent for hatches of similar design.

as rossavage said, if I could cut out the old stuff.....

Of course if it doesn't leak there's no problem either way
 
Ordinary bathroom silicone would be fine. Tek7 available in builders merchants everywhere and half the price of sickaflex would be perfect, and its adhesive to. Or use butyl tape as a seal. Lots of better options than sickaflex
 
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