OVERVIEW

Choosing a caulk or sealant can be a daunting task for beginners and experienced DIY’ers alike. Thanks to product marketers, it’s not always clear what type of product is on the shelves and we’re just supposed to take their word, well label, for what works best for various projects. In this video, we’ll cut through the marketing and give you the basics about choosing the right type of caulk for your job.

 

Show Notes:

General specifications to consider when choosing a caulk

  • Temperature range – most important for exterior caulks. Make sure exterior applications use a product that can withstand the extreme temperatures of winter and summer.
  • Waterproof – looking to keep water away from a seam or caulking an area that will be exposed to water? Make sure it can hold up to the moisture.
  • Paintability – if you want to match your sealant to a specific paint color, it’s easiest to just paint over it, but the product must be specified as a paintable.
  • UV resistance – If the product will be exposed to regular sunlight, make sure it is UV resistant. You don’t want it to become brittle or discolor over time.

Common types of caulk

  • Acrylic latex caulk – also known as “painter’s caulk”. Used to fill seams or gaps between drywall and baseboards or any other areas where two painted materials meet. Easily accepts paint, but will not hold up against water.
  • Silicone – Need a waterproof seal? These are excellent for that. Commonly used around tubs, showers, backsplashes, etc. 100% silicone will not discolor after being exposed to UV so it can be used outside. The downside to silicone is that 100% silicone is not paintable.
  • Hybrid caulks – a combination of two or more different types of caulks. Paintable silicone is a combination of silicone and sometime acrylic latex. Many companies have proprietary blends so be sure to read the product datasheets to make sure it will work for your project
  • Polyurethane caulks – excellent for exterior use. These can “stretch” much more so than other caulks as well as withstand cold and hot climates.
  • Specialty caulks – There are so many specialty products in the market we can do multiple videos about this. Common specialty caulks for DIY’ers include:
      • Sanded silicone – typically made by grout manufacturers to match the color and texture of grout.
      • Roofing sealants (from the big box store) – various types are available. Some are designed to around metal flashing. Others are designed to temporary stop leaks in asphalt shingles.

Application Tips:

  • Buy a quality caulk gun – the cheap ones will eventually break and can tire your hands quickly on a large job
  • Don’t hesitate to use painters tape to mask off areas where you want to prevent contact with caulk.
  • For very small areas, use an epoxy syringe or glue injector. These have much smaller tips and containers.

Need a roof sealant for a membrane roof? Try this approach instead.