Good quality starts with the right knowledge

Improve your skills with the Professional Joint Sealing course

The efficient, durable and airtight installation of windows and doors is specialist work. Especially now that requirements are evolving rapidly, due to the latest building techniques, comfort requirements and standards. This is something supplier of window, door and furniture hardware, tools, machinery and safety materials Lecot knows all about. "In order to achieve a sound end product, in accordance with all wishes and requirements regarding sustainability, energy-efficiency and airtight construction, in addition to high-quality products, sound advice and good support for window and door manufacturers, joiners and contractors are also of great importance," explains Jeroen De Wilde, Sales Manager External Sales at Lecot Nederland.

"Especially in view of the Quality Assurance Act that has been in effect since January 1, 2024. With our Optimont (= optimal assembly) concept and in cooperation with our product partners, we provide an excellent interpretation of this."

One of these product partners is Soudal; Europe's largest independent manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and PU foams for both the professional and private user. "Together with Soudal, we are constantly looking at how we can make the work for window and door manufacturers, joiners and contractors more efficient and better," says De Wilde. "Of course without losing sight of the wishes and requirements around sustainability, energy efficiency and airtight construction. What we notice is that incorrect sealants and purren are still regularly used in the market. For example, because certain sealants and purren are cheaper or up for grabs. However, these sealants and purrs are not always suitable for the application in question, resulting in insufficient adhesion, too small sealant joints, cracks in sealant edges, cracking and discoloration. To stay ahead of these problems, we have set up the Professional Joint Sealing course together with Soudal." The first courses have since been held in the Netherlands. And with success. "In fact, the interest is so great that we will soon roll out the course in the Belgian market as well."

Technical support, tips and tricks

The reason for the Professional Joint Sealing course is the Building Quality Assurance Act, which aims to improve the quality of construction works. "The right products for each application are essential in this context," emphasizes Jurgen Dekeyser, sales manager of Window and Door Technology at Lecot. "Moreover, with the course we are jumping into the gap of knowledge shortage. In the coming years, many experienced employees will retire, causing their professional knowledge to disappear. The young employees taking their place often do not yet have sufficient practical experience. They not only need technical support, but above all practical tips and tricks. For example, how can sealants and poultices be applied and smoothed correctly? Which sealants and poultices are suitable for which applications? And how can you check their correct application? How do you place a back filler in an expansion or connection joint? And which back fillings are there?"

Quality assurance through standardization

"There are so many sealants and purren available in the market that customers sometimes can no longer see the wood for the trees," De Wilde emphasizes. "In order to support them optimally, we always listen carefully to the applications and wishes, on the basis of which a complete concept and customized course are offered. The starting point here is to reduce the number of sealant and Paste types per company." 

As an example, he cites a service company whose huge inventory of sealant and paste types has been reduced to just one type of paste, one type of adhesive and two types of sealant, for glass and other applications. "Thanks to the four products, the service company can standardize and better guarantee its quality. After all, all employees now work with the same products." 

Optimont box

Upon request, the sealants and purren are offered in a handy Optimont box, in which all processing materials are also collected and sorted out. From sealant and purging sprays to cleaning agents and wiping agents, preventing chaos in the van and preventing processors from missing out.

Practical and recognizable

Each Professional Joint Sealing course invariably starts with a general explanation of the various sealants and Paste types, distinguishing between sealants, adhesives and fillers. Dekeyser: "In addition, we pay attention to the project conditions that determine product selection. From location to substrate, joint dimensions, possible action and wind and pressure loads. What processing steps are required? Is a paintable, mold-resistant or UV-resistant product desired? And is the application purely structural or also aesthetic? By always working with practical and recognizable problem statements, we ensure that the knowledge sticks."

Getting started yourself

The theoretical part takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Then it is time for practice, where various sealants and putty seams are practiced in a demo set-up in cooperation with Soudal and a professional sealant company. This will include the new Soudafoam PURe and Soudal HMX Facade sealant, which guarantee user- and environmentally friendly application.

The Professional Joint Sealing course is of great interest to joiners and contractors. "But also for window and door manufacturers, who can then carry out the minor sealant work in-house," says De Wilde. The paid course takes one half-day session (morning or afternoon) and is provided as desired at Lecot-Biermans Werkendam, Lecot-Biermans Breda, Lecot Best, Lecot logistics center Maaseik or internally at the customer's premises. "A maximum of 10 processors can participate per course. As an added benefit, we provide lunch for 10 people, as well as all the necessary mock-up materials, 10 sealant syringes, 10 wiper plates and 10 wipers that the course participants can keep after the course."