COLUMBARIUM NICHE SEAL SUMMARY
Columbarium Engineering Basics Series by Architarium

The overall options for a niche seal are: none, caulk or gasket. The basic requirements for a niche seal are that it 1) creates a barrier to water and 2) allows repeated panel access for inurnments. Seals are not intended to provide security.

None: This approach is insufficient in exterior venues because it allows rain or hose water into the niche.

Caulk (Silicone): This approach is acceptable but has some disadvantages. It is less convenient: it must be kept in stock and requires labor to apply and remove. It is messy: it is difficult to apply neatly and to remove when hardened. It is also difficult to prevent fingerprints with caulk from adjacent niche faces. Even when fingerprints are not initially visible, they will eventually attract dirt and debris. It is risky: if old caulk is not completely removed prior to applying new caulk (during secondary inurnment), new caulk could be bonded to old caulk that has loosened during removal. Another risk is physical injury to the individual or columbarium face because caulk removal requires a knife (or similar tool).

Gasket: This approach is considered optimal in applications where a seal is required but the panel may be accessed (especially repeatedly).

Both caulk and gaskets stiffen over time. But both will still have enough mass to maintain a seal, although caulk must have adequate coverage.

While caulk can be sufficient to create a seal when done correctly, Architarium transitioned from caulk in its earlier models to gaskets in its current model as a functional upgrade.