Material sourcing guide

Sealants and fillers, defined for the joint and its movement

Separate sealants, joint fillers and backing materials by the joint or gap they serve. Give suppliers the joint width, movement expectation, substrate materials and quantity basis so proposals cover the full joint system, not just the visible bead.

Plain sealant cartridges, a mortar sack and tub beside a notched trowel.
Plain sealant cartridges, a mortar sack and tub beside a notched trowel.
01 / Materials & uses

Start with the right material groups.

Joint sealants

For movement and connection joints, state the joint width, expected movement and exposed face. Request primer, backing rod and sealant as one defined joint package.

Surface fillers and repair compounds

For open cells, uneven surfaces or localized repair, describe the substrate and required final surface state. Request the filler, preparation product and finishing companion materials as a package.

Backing and bond-breaker materials

For controlled sealant depth and adhesion release, list the backing rod or bond-breaker tape required. Confirm compatibility with the proposed sealant before quantities are fixed.

02 / Package boundaries

A material price is only part of the package.

Your material schedule
01Joint sealants
02Surface fillers and repair compounds
03Backing and bond-breaker materials

One schedule, clearly separated scopes. This is a request outline, not an installation drawing.

Included materials

Include sealants, fillers, backing rods and bond-breaker materials organized by joint or repair location, width and total linear or volume quantity.

Connections & interfaces

Ask suppliers to identify compatible primers, cleaners and backing materials as part of the proposed joint system for each location.

Confirm separately

Confirm surface preparation, mixing, application, masking, protection and waste responsibilities separately; confirm whether they are inside or outside the material offer.

03 / A comparable request

Six details that make offers clearer.

Product designation and joint requirement
State the exact project-specified product designation or required performance class and the joint width, depth or repair dimension the material must serve.
Substrate description
List the actual joint or surface materials so suppliers can check adhesion and compatibility requirements for the proposed material.
Movement and exposure conditions
Provide the expected joint movement, exposure to water or sunlight and interior or exterior location from the project specification.
Primer and backing requirements
Request the proposed primer, backing rod or bond-breaker tape and an explanation of the recommended joint geometry for each location.
Pack content and remaining shelf life
Request cartridge, sausage or pail volume, unit count and remaining usable shelf life on arrival with storage information.
Technical documents and declared limitations
Request current product and safety data for the actual proposed material and any declared limitations for the stated substrates or conditions.
Illustrative request lines
Item & descriptionQuantity
SF-01Exterior movement joint sealant for facade zone marks; color and joint schedule from project specification attached.150 cartridges
SF-02Backing rod for sanitary area joints; diameter from joint schedule, compatible sealant proposed by supplier.800 linear meters

Example quantities only; no live prices or supplier offers. Use your project schedule for final values and ask suppliers to list deviations.

04 / Compare the whole offer

Three checks before you decide.

Pack volume and joint length coverage

Compare cartridge or pail content and the supplier's stated joint length coverage basis, not a unit price alone.

Companion materials inside or outside the offer

Check whether primer, backing rod, cleaner and masking materials are included in the quoted price or listed separately.

Joint geometry and remaining shelf life

Review the proposed depth-to-width arrangement, accessible storage conditions and remaining usable life for the actual delivery.

05 / Practical questions

Details worth clarifying early.

Should I buy only the sealant bead quantity?

Request the full joint package including backing rod and primer where required. Ask the supplier to show the joint length coverage calculation for the proposed cartridges or pails.

How do I handle a joint that moves more than one product's stated limit?

Return to the project movement requirement and request the supplier's proposed sealant and backing system that can serve the stated joint conditions, with its declared limitations.

07 / Your next step

Turn your material schedule into a request.

Create a Matravo account to prepare your request. For account or sourcing-flow questions, visit support.