Choosing the Right Caulking

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated September 16, 2022)

Have you ever had a hard time choosing the right caulking? There really is a key to choosing the right caulking, and it is amazingly simple once you understand what it is. That key is location, location, location. By knowing where you will be using the caulking you will know what type of caulking you need.

Here are a few examples of the more commonly used areas where you would use caulking. No brand names will be mentioned, rather you will see that an identifying ingredient is listed instead. Find this ingredient, and you will have the right caulking for your particular project.

  • Kitchen and bathroom. The best kind of caulking to use in your bathroom or kitchen will be a siliconized acrylic caulking. Polymer types also work, but stick primarily to the siliconized acrylic caulking. One additive that you should also keep in mind for your use is a biocide that will help prevent mildew growth.
  • Concrete. When sealing concrete joints or cracks, you will want to use a caulking that is either polyurethane or silicone based. Once you have found that particular type of caulking, you will also want to look to see if it is "self-leveling" since it will even out on its own. With that particular type you don't really have to worry about smoothing it out, which will help reduce the amount of work you will be doing.
  • Glass. As long as you are not working with exterior glass you can use a silicone based caulking. However, if you are working with exterior glass you will want to use a siliconized acrylic that has been formulated for adhering to glass. You will also want to make sure that you don't choose a caulking that will corrode any metal (such as brackets in windows) so be sure to read any disclaimers that come with the caulk.
  • Windows, doors, and siding. Siding, windows, and doors, all have the widest ranges of caulking that you can use. Typically, you will want to use a caulking that is a one of the polymer type, a silicone polymer, or butyl rubber based. In addition, you would want to choose a type of silicone caulking that is also paintable.

One thing that you need to keep in mind about these different types of caulking is that all of them should be applied in the right kind of conditions. Those conditions are in dry weather, with a temperature range between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are working in temperature conditions outside of that range, you will need to use a more specialized type of caulking, such as cold caulking.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

How to Use Deer Repellant

While deer are undoubtedly beautiful to look at, they can also cause a lot of damage to a garden, lawn, or home. One way ...

Discover More

Caring for Oriental Lilies

Are you looking for a way to make your garden a little different from others that may be in your neighborhood? If you ...

Discover More

Planning a College Road Trip

Going to college can easily be one of the most overwhelming experiences anyone can go through. Take out some of the ...

Discover More

MAX Power! A powerful lithium-ion drill/driver that delivers 0-to-650 RPM and 115 inches-per-pound of torque in a lightweight, easy-to-use package. An anti-slip soft grip and LED worklight makes this tool a delight to use. Check out Black & Decker 20-Volt Cordless Drill/Driver today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Stains vs. Sealers

Stains vs. sealers has long been a debate among those who work with wood. The truth of the matter is that both have their ...

Discover More

Priming and Painting Trim

If you are really interested in making your home look great, then you will need to make sure that you have painted the ...

Discover More

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Whether you are looking at taking the opportunity to change the whole look of your kitchen, or you are simply painting ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is six more than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)