Using and Choosing Caulking - Part 1
For the homeowner, caulking is one of the most beneficial products made. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, as an adhesive, as a decorative finish and at the same time it provides a weather and moisture seal.
Caulking your house is a home improvement project that requires little expense in materials and a substantial amount of sweat equity.
Figure 1 - Caulking gun with squeeze tube
Caulking is a relatively inexpensive material, and with a bit of practice is easy to apply. It is definitely a diy project that can save the homeowner real dollars in heating and cooling costs, while preventing damage to their property both indoors and outdoors.
Why Use Caulking?
No matter what the season is, proper caulking prevents the loss of heat and cold within your home escaping to the outdoors and prevents outdoor air from penetrating into your home.
- Wood, plastic, metal, and glass all expand and contract at different rates depending on the temperature surrounding them. When two different materials come in contact with one another they produce a gap as they expand and contract. The use of a flexible caulking seals these cracks and continues to do so as they move throughout seasonal temperature changes.
- The use of caulking prevents moisture ingress that can create damage through rot and stains to walls and ceilings.
- Caulking provides an insect barrier.
- Caulking provides the aesthetic finish between materials and objects such as siding and windows and counter tops and walls.
Why Use Caulking?
Caulking is a generic term for many different types of caulk and sealers. There is truly no one general purpose caulking product as each type has been formulated for specific purposes. It is very important to choose the correct product for the project that you are undertaking. Read package labels in detail to determine which product is best suited for your job.
- Painter’s Caulking:
If you need a product to fill holes and cracks prior to painting an inexpensive latex caulking works extremely well. It can also be used to provide a seamless joint in a corner where two different materials meet or when painting abutting walls with different color paints.
- Acrylic Latex Caulking:
This caulking can be used indoors or outdoors. It can be painted over and because it is latex, (water based) you can clean up with a damp rag.
- Silicon Latex Caulking:
This is a latex caulk that has silicone formulated in it. The silicone makes it very durable for both indoor and outdoor use. Silicon latex caulking does not accept paint and hence is available in a variety of colors. It can be cleaned up with a damp rag.
- Silicone Caulking:
Silicone caulking works very well when sealing between materials such as ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass, metal and other non-porous substances. It should not be used on any porous materials such as, wood, masonry, natural stone, granite, or marble as it will stain the surface of the material. Silicone cannot be painted and clean up is with the use of a solvent or thinner. When applying a 100% silicone caulk adequate ventilation is required as the fumes are toxic. Silicone caulking is available in clear, white and black.
- Tub & Tile Caulking:
Designed primarily for bathroom use, this product will provide a mildew resistant seal between areas that are very wet, such as the joint between a bathtub and wall.
- Butyl Rubber Caulking:
This product has excellent thermal expansion characteristics and because of that works extremely well in outdoor environments where large temperature changes are common. The material can be used on most porous and non-porous surfaces such as metal, concrete and wood. Some manufacturers will identify the product as a foundation, gutter, or roof caulking. Clean up is with the use of solvents.
- Butyl Rubber & Asphalt Caulking:
Primarily used for roof repair especially around chimney and vent pipe flashings and skylights. Clean up is with solvents.
- Adhesive Caulking:
Most caulking has an adhesive quality to it. However, some caulking is specifically formulated to act as an adhesive. An adhesive caulking is often used to inset bathroom fixtures such as soap dishes, seal sink rims and to mount counter tops to cabinetry. Adhesive caulking has less flexibility than other caulking.
- Concrete & Mortar Caulking:
Used to seal cracks in mortar and concrete, this product is formulated to adhere to masonry. It is usually a latex based product and cleans up with damp rag.