If you are fitting a laminate worktop, the joints are where problems usually start. Water, steam and spills all find their way into a poorly sealed corner, and chipboard swells quickly once it gets damp. That is exactly what EGGERSeal is made to prevent. This guide explains what EGGERSeal is, where to use it, how to apply it, how long it takes to cure and how to choose the right colour for your Egger worktop.
What Is EGGERSeal?
EGGERSeal is a sealant and adhesive made by EGGER for use with its own worktops. According to EGGER’s technical leaflet, it is designed for joining worktop corner joints and for fitting splashbacks and upstands. It is colour matched to EGGER worktop, splashback and upstand decors, so the joint blends in and gives a seamless, waterproof finish.
It uses a toughened polymer formula, stays flexible once cured and has very little shrinkage. It is also solvent-free and odourless, which makes it more pleasant to work with in a finished room than many traditional sealants.
Where Should You Use EGGERSeal?
The two main uses are worktop corner joints and splashbacks or upstands.
Worktop corner joints. When two worktops meet at a corner, for example in an L-shaped kitchen, the joint is cut and bolted together. The join needs a bead of sealant along the edges so that no water can get into the core of the board. If you want to understand how those joints and edges fit into a full installation, our guide on how to install kitchen worktops covers the process step by step.
Splashbacks and upstands. EGGERSeal is also used to fix and seal splashbacks and upstands to the worktop. A neat, matched bead hides the join and stops water running down behind the units.
EGGER says the sealant adheres to a wide range of surfaces, including laminate, quartz, stainless steel and glass. For anything beyond corner joints, splashbacks and upstands, such as sink cut-outs or end cuts, always follow the EGGER fitting guide that comes with your worktop.
Why Does Sealing Matter So Much?
A laminate worktop looks solid, but the core underneath is a wood-based board. The decorative surface protects it, but a cut edge or an open joint exposes the core. Once water gets in, the board can swell and the surface can lift or blister, and at that point the damage is very difficult to repair.
Kitchens are a tough place for any worktop. Steam from kettles and pans, splashes from the sink and spills from cooking all end up at the joints and edges first. A flexible, waterproof seal is the cheapest protection you can buy against a costly worktop replacement, especially if you chose a laminate for its value. If you are weighing materials, our kitchen worktop materials guide explains how laminate compares with other options.
EGGERSeal Key Facts at a Glance
Here are the details from EGGER’s technical leaflet:
- Open time: 10 to 15 minutes, so you need to work steadily once the sealant is applied
- Cure time: 15 hours for worktop joints and 24 hours for splashbacks and upstands
- Finish: waterproof and flexible once cured, with very little shrinkage
- Coverage: a 20g tube is enough to seal a corner joint length of 650mm
- Pack sizes: 20g tube or 290g cartridge
- Shelf life (unopened): 12 months for the 20g tube and 18 months for the 290g cartridge
- Storage: a ventilated place between 5 and 25°C
How to Apply EGGERSeal
EGGER’s leaflet gives a simple process for worktop joints. Always read the full fitting guide before you start, and have your bolts, cloths and tools ready.
- Open the tube. Push through the membrane seal of the EGGERSeal tube and screw on the applicator.
- Prepare the area. Make sure the area to be sealed is dry and free from dust and grease.
- Apply to the biscuits. Add a constant bead of EGGERSeal to the edge of the jointing biscuits and position them on one side of the worktop joint.
- Apply to the edge. Use the applicator as a guide to apply a constant bead around the worktop edge.
- Join and tighten. Bring the joint together and tighten the worktop bolts, such as EasiBolts or Toggle Bolts.
- Remove the excess. Use the angled scraper side of the applicator to remove any excess sealant.
- Clean up. Wipe the area with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Because the open time is only 10 to 15 minutes, do a dry run first so you know the joint fits before you apply any sealant. If you are new to fitting, our article on whether it is worth fitting your own kitchen cabinets will help you decide how much to take on yourself.
How Long Does EGGERSeal Take to Cure?
The cure time is 15 hours for worktop joints and 24 hours for splashbacks and upstands. Allow the full time before you put weight on the joint, run water over it or use the worktop. Fitting the worktop late in the day and leaving it overnight is a good way to make use of this.
How to Choose the Right EGGERSeal Colour
EGGER supplies EGGERSeal in a small set of colours, and each Egger worktop decor has a recommended match. EGGER’s colour match guide pairs the decor and thickness of your worktop with the EGGERSeal colour name. For example, Premium White matches Titanium White, Oak Butcherblock matches Natural Oak and Chromix Silver matches Metal Grey.
At Aspin Collins, you choose EGGERSeal by the name of your worktop. Select your decor and the size you need, either a 20g tube or a 290g cartridge, on the EggerSeal Sealant product page. That means you do not have to translate EGGER’s colour names yourself. To see which decors we stock, browse our Egger worktops collection.
Which Size Do You Need?
The 20g tube is designed for smaller jobs. EGGER says one tube seals a corner joint length of 650mm, so measure the length of your joint before you order. Add an extra tube if you also have splashbacks or upstands to fix.
The 290g cartridge suits larger kitchens, multiple joints or professional fitters who want to seal several runs in one go. It has a longer shelf life, which helps if you will not use it all at once.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Working in a damp or dusty area. The joint must be dry and clean for the sealant to bond properly.
- Skipping the dry fit. With only 10 to 15 minutes of open time, you do not want to find out the joint does not close once the sealant is on.
- Leaving too much excess. Remove surplus sealant straight away with the scraper side of the applicator rather than leaving it to cure.
- Rushing the cure. Do not use the worktop until the full cure time has passed.
- Using the wrong colour. A visible bead in a mismatched colour spoils an otherwise neat joint.
Looking After Your Sealed Worktop
Once the joints are sealed, normal care keeps the worktop looking good. Wipe spills promptly, avoid standing water along the joints and use a mild cleaner. For day-to-day advice, read our guide to cleaning and maintaining laminate worktops. If you are still choosing a style, our guide to worktop edge profiles explains how the edge you pick changes the look of your kitchen.
Shop EGGERSeal at Aspin Collins
If you are fitting an Egger worktop, add the matching EGGERSeal to your order. Choose your colour and size on the EggerSeal Sealant page, and browse our wider range of kitchen worktops. If you are comparing materials, our guide to quartz vs laminate worktops can help you decide, and our Egger worktop review shows what to expect from the brand. If you only need to change the worktop and keep your cabinets, read can you replace worktops only.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is EGGERSeal used for?
EGGERSeal is used to seal worktop corner joints and to fit and seal splashbacks and upstands. It is colour matched to EGGER worktop decors, so the sealed joint blends in.
2. How long does EGGERSeal take to cure?
It takes 15 hours to cure for worktop joints and 24 hours for splashbacks and upstands. Allow the full time before using the worktop.
3. How much does one 20g tube cover?
According to EGGER, a 20g tube is enough to seal a corner joint length of 650mm. For longer joints or extra jobs, buy additional tubes or choose the 290g cartridge.
4. Is EGGERSeal waterproof?
Yes. Once cured, it is waterproof and flexible, with very little shrinkage, which helps keep moisture out of the worktop joint.
5. Does EGGERSeal work on surfaces other than laminate?
EGGER says it adheres to a wide range of surfaces, including laminate, quartz, stainless steel and glass.
6. How should I store EGGERSeal?
Store it in a ventilated place between 5 and 25°C. Unopened, a 20g tube has a shelf life of 12 months and a 290g cartridge has a shelf life of 18 months.
