COMMERCIAL
CAULKING & SEALANT
IN DENTON, TX.
From Peterbilt's 700,000-sq-ft Denton manufacturing campus to UNT's 110-year range of campus buildings, Denton's commercial portfolio spans every era of exterior construction — and every generation of sealant system. The May 2024 hail event accelerated failure across the region. Whether your building is a 1912-era masonry landmark or a 1990s South Loop 288 commercial strip, sealant failure is a precision problem that demands a precision solution.
What Commercial Caulking & Sealant Replacement Includes
Complete building envelope sealant services — from expansion joints and curtain wall perimeters to below-grade waterproofing seals.
Expansion & Control Joint Sealant
Expansion and control joints are engineered to accommodate thermal movement and structural loading — but only when the sealant inside them remains flexible and bonded. In Denton's expansive black-gumbo clay belt, cyclical soil movement adds lateral stress to joints that temperature change alone would not produce.
We remove deteriorated sealant completely, prepare the joint substrate, install a backer rod to achieve the correct joint geometry, and apply commercial-grade polyurethane or silicone sealant sized for your building's documented movement range.
Window & Curtain Wall Perimeter Sealant
Window and curtain wall perimeter joints are the highest-risk water infiltration point on most commercial buildings. On UNT's campus — which spans buildings from Curry Hall (1912) through modern research facilities — each era requires a different sealant approach: historic masonry perimeters, aluminum storefront frames, and contemporary curtain wall systems each demand specific chemistry and tooling methods.
We assess glazing system type, frame material, and joint condition before specifying the correct sealant to ensure adhesion, UV resistance, and long-term flexibility.
Wet Seal & Dry Glazing Repair
Wet seal systems — where sealant is the primary weather barrier between glass and frame — are common on Denton's older commercial storefronts along the Downtown Square and South Loop 288 corridor. When the sealant hardens, chalks, or pulls away from the glass edge, the weatherproofing of the entire opening is compromised.
Dry glazing systems use a compression gasket as the primary seal; sealant serves as the secondary barrier. We diagnose which system your building uses, identify failure modes in each, and restore the correct barrier without disturbing glazing units unnecessarily.
Below-Grade & Through-Wall Sealant
Below-grade sealant joints — at foundation wall penetrations, utility sleeves, and construction joints — fail under constant hydrostatic and soil pressure. Denton's position in the North Texas clay belt means wet-season soil expansion actively forces moisture against below-grade walls.
We use polysulfide and hydrophilic sealants rated for immersed and below-grade conditions, combined with proper surface preparation, to create a durable moisture barrier where standard silicone systems will not hold.
Industries We Serve in Denton
Why Denton Buildings Need Sealant Attention Now
Denton's commercial building stock spans more than a century — from the 1896 Denton County Courthouse and UNT's 1912 Curry Hall through the 1990s and 2000s commercial development along South Loop 288 and Rayzor Ranch. Each era used different sealant systems, all of which age on different timelines.
The May 2024 hail event produced golf ball to softball-sized hailstones causing more than $2.3 billion in regional property damage. Buildings that were mid-lifecycle on their sealant systems are now past the failure threshold. The university district's dense concentration of older masonry buildings is particularly vulnerable to the cumulative effects of hail impact followed by water infiltration through compromised perimeter seals.
Peterbilt's 700,000-sq-ft Denton manufacturing campus — open since August 1980 — exemplifies the large-footprint industrial buildings in this market: enormous envelope area, decades of thermal cycling, and expansion joints that have absorbed 45 years of movement. We use our 56' and 72' boom trucks for efficient, scaffolding-free access across facilities of this scale.
Golf ball to softball-sized hailstones accelerated sealant failure across the Denton region
UNT's Curry Hall — 110+ years of exterior masonry exposure requiring era-appropriate sealant restoration
45-year-old manufacturing complex — a prime example of large-footprint industrial sealant maintenance needs
Why Choose Griffin Restoration
Commercial exterior restoration since 2000
Licensed in TX, OK, AR, and LA
56' and 72' — self-performing capability
Full coverage for commercial projects
Commercial Caulking & Sealant FAQ
How often should commercial building sealants be replaced?
Most commercial-grade silicone and polyurethane sealants have a service life of 10–20 years depending on exposure, substrate movement, and UV load. In Denton, the May 2024 hail event — which caused more than $2.3 billion in regional property damage — accelerated sealant failure on buildings that were already mid-lifecycle. We recommend a professional sealant assessment every 5 years and immediately following any significant hail or wind event.
What are the signs of failed caulking on a commercial building?
Key indicators include visible cracking, pulling away from the substrate, hardening or chalking of the sealant bead, water staining below joints, and efflorescence on masonry below window perimeters. On Denton's older commercial stock — particularly 1990s buildings on South Loop 288 now hitting the 25–30 year exterior maintenance milestone — failed sealant is often the first point where moisture infiltration begins.
What types of sealants are used for commercial building envelopes?
The three primary categories are silicone (ideal for curtain wall and glass perimeters due to UV resistance and flexibility), polyurethane (bonds well to masonry, concrete, and EIFS substrates), and polysulfide (preferred for below-grade and immersed applications). At Peterbilt's Denton campus and similar large industrial facilities, we match sealant chemistry to the specific substrate, joint width, and anticipated thermal movement to ensure longevity.
Can caulking replacement prevent water infiltration in commercial buildings?
Yes — failed sealant joints are among the most common water infiltration pathways in commercial buildings. For Denton's UNT and TWU campus buildings, which span construction eras from Curry Hall (1912) to modern research facilities, properly specified sealant replacement arrests the moisture intrusion that drives interior finishes damage, mold growth, and structural deterioration. A targeted re-caulking program is often the highest-ROI envelope repair available.
What is the difference between wet seal and dry glazing systems?
Wet seal systems use a continuously applied sealant bead at the glass-to-frame perimeter as the primary weatherproofing barrier — common on older commercial storefronts and punched-opening glazing in Denton's downtown Square district. Dry glazing systems use a mechanical gasket compressed by the frame, with sealant as a secondary weather barrier. We assess both system types, identify failure modes, and restore the correct barrier for each building's glazing architecture.
Related Services
Caulking and sealant replacement works alongside these complementary services for complete building envelope protection.
Commercial Waterproofing
Elastomeric coatings, membrane systems, and penetrating sealers that work with joint sealants for a complete moisture barrier on commercial facades and below-grade walls.
Learn more about waterproofing →Exterior Building Repair
Concrete and masonry repair preceding sealant replacement ensures substrates are sound — preventing sealant from bridging over failed material that will move independently.
See our exterior repair capabilities →Curtain Wall Repair
Full curtain wall system assessment and repair — addressing not just sealant failure but structural glazing issues, failed pressure caps, and frame corrosion on multi-story facades.
Explore curtain wall services →Protect Your Denton Property
Whether you manage a campus building at UNT or TWU, a manufacturing facility near Peterbilt, or a commercial property along South Loop 288 — we'll assess your sealant condition and provide a detailed scope of work.