Translucent silicone is semi-transparent, with a frosted, slightly opaque appearance that gently masks the application area. Clear silicone is fully transparent. It basically resembles glass in its appearance and is virtually invisible when applied. It's ideal for surfaces that demand a completely undetectable seal.
Clear silicone rubber, as its name implies, is completely absent of color or cloudiness. On the other hand, translucent silicone is generally a see-through material; however, the visibility of the other side will be cloudy and blurred.
If the install is clean, with nice lines and cuts, I'd use clear silicone. If the install needs help, white or perhaps a colored silicone that can clean things up and add to the appearance.
While “clear” means free from cloudiness, obscurity or darkness, “translucent” refers to objects that allow light, but not detailed images, to pass through.
Most toilets are white and most bathrooms floors are white. Always chose white. White caulk will give your bathroom floor a seamless integration to the toilet which is what you want for your bathroom. Apart from time that, clear caulk tends to turn into a yellow color with time.
The International Plumbing Code requires caulk around the base of a toilet. You must use 100% silicone caulk where fixtures meet the wall or floor. Here are a few of the primary reasons it's required, and you should take the time to properly seal toilets above and beyond basic code requirements.
Raw Material Costs
Silicone is derived from silica, a natural resource that undergoes extensive processing to create silicone polymers. The production of silica involves mining, refining, and processing, which requires significant energy and resources.
Translucent white acrylic has 71% light transmission. You can see dark shadows through it when held up to the light. Industry color code 2067.
If it's clear silicone like the tube says it is. It will dry like 97% clear.
Clear water is transparent because most of the light can pass through the clear water.
We would not recommend putting another layer of silicone over an existing bead as it may not adhere to the original silicone very well. It is best to cut out the previous bead and reapply a fresh bead to the correct depth ensuring it is adhered well to the edges of the area being sealed.
We recommend ARBO Arbosil HM 310ml – Internal Sanitary Sealant, MAPESIL AC – Internal Silicone Sealants – All Colours, and Everbuild Showerproof & Bathroom Sealant 280ml as three of the best options on the market.
What Color Caulk Should I Use for my Baseboards? The typical color for baseboards is white, as this creates a clean, attractive contrast and frame to the wall. If your baseboards are white, use white caulk as well. Make sure to use an indoor, paintable caulk with long-term elasticity.
Choosing between white and clear silicone sealant depends on your bathroom's style, personal preferences, and cleaning habits. White caulk is ideal for a clean, traditional look that complements white fixtures. Clear caulk offers a versatile, discreet option for bathrooms with varied designs.
Homeowners frequently opt for translucent silicone caulk when renovating or repairing their homes. Seamlessly blending with diverse surfaces, it's a great choice for sealing joints and gaps. For window and door sealing, it offers an effective waterproof barrier that prevents drafts and moisture ingress.
Translucent sealants are ideal for outdoor projects where absolute invisibility is not essential, as they can withstand environmental elements while still providing a degree of transparency.
Colour Options: Caulk comes in various colours, including clear, white, and even hues that match your toilet or floor. Clear caulk is a popular choice because it becomes nearly invisible once it cures, providing a clean look.
Normal clear silicone products will not turn yellow even after being put for several years. But sometimes, during the silicone production process, some clear silicone products that have just come out of the oven turn yellow.
Silicone is very flexible and acts as a water and moisture repellant, making it among the best caulks for both windows and bathrooms. Pure silicone is more expensive than latex caulk, but it is highly durable. Silicone caulk stands up to extremes in temperature changes and can last up to 20 years when properly applied.
“The (object) is opaque--we see light on its surface, but we can't see through it. The (object) is transparent-- we can see light shining through it and what's on the other side of it. The (object) is translucent--we can see light shining through it, but we can't see clearly what's on the other side of it.”
Gorilla 100% Silicone Sealant is great for kitchen, bath, window, doors, plumbing, gutters and more. It is ready for water exposure in just 30-minutes. This sealant is mold and mildew-resistant and won't yellow, shrink, or crack over time.
DAP Kwik Seal Ultra is packaged into a cartridge that is labeled "Biscuit" and will be a light, off-white color. Unfortunately, there are no darker colors currently offered in the KWIK SEAL ULTRA product line.
There are two types of silicone, acid cure and neutral cure. The acid cure is the most common type as it is cheaper, but it does have a very distinct smell. The neutral cure is the higher-end, more expensive type of silicone, and it doesn't smell so much. MS polymers do not have any odour at all though.
Always looks like new – won't stain, blacken or yellow
EVO-STIK Clear for Life Shower & Bathroom Sealant is a highly mould resistant sealant that will keep your shower, bath or sink looking like new.
For a tough, watertight, mildew-resistant seal, we recommend using Loctite 100% Silicone.