Choosing the right kind of caulk for your home painting and other fix-em-up projects is very important, yet easy to overlook. Sealants like caulk aren't very romantic or sexy and can seem trivial. But the right kind of caulk is very important if you want a home that's cooler in the summer, warm in winter, and doesn't constantly need more repairs to fix leaks or get rid of water damage. While many people do recognize that home exterior caulking is pretty important, they usually think that interior caulking is "just decorative." But this is a common error. Interior caulking is very important for practical reasons like those I just mentioned; and besides, don't you want your home's interior to look as nice as possible?
You will also want to choose the right kind of caulk for what your precise home fixing project is. For instance, if it is in fact a house painting project, you surely don't want a caulk that can't be painted; that would look unsightly in the end. So, in this instance, you might want to choose a siliconized acrylic caulk. Yet, at the same time, you have to be aware of a given type of caulk's limitations; sometimes more than one type of caulk could possibly be used, so you'll want to choose the very best for your particular application.
You can also use caulk for money-saving home applications that many people don't think of. For instance, many people don't stop to think that leaking causes their air conditioner or hot water furnace to work harder and more often. Putting these extra loads on these appliances runs up your electric bill and could also end up giving you a hefty repair or replacement bill when the appliance should have had several years left in it.
Another thing that people don't think about is the fact that gaps and cracks around the exterior of your windows and doors can let in water. This water will cause damage to your walls and peel the paint. Mold and insects can enter the walls through these same cracks and gaps, and these can cause damage, illness, and the exacerbation of allergies. Not to mention that these gaps and cracks can allow heat to escape and cold air in--once again, giving you not only discomfort but higher energy bills.
Caulking these cracks, gaps, and so on is an inexpensive way to save yourself huge amounts of money in the long run, while letting you enjoy your home more as well.
How To Choose Your Caulk With Care
One of the factors that puts people off from more careful caulk considerations is the overwhelming selection they come across down at the hardware store, especially if it's a large one such as Lowe's or Home Depot. This leads them to mainly just go for the lowest price or just pick up a brand name without reflection. So, I want to tell you that there are four basic types of caulk; once you have these categorized in your mind you can much more easily make a good choice.
• Silicone Caulk: 100% silicone caulking is an outstanding and versatile performer. It will outlast many standard types of caulking and hold up to any abuse. Typically, silicone caulk has the best elongation characteristics, and it's capable of adhering to any surface. It's even resistant to all chemicals, and can be used immersed in water. Silicone caulk comes in an array of colors so you can match it to nearly any surface color. However, silicone caulk should be used on areas that will _not_ be painted. It should also be used on non-porous surfaces.
• Siliconized Acrylic Caulk: High quality siliconized acrylic caulk is a good choice for many interior projects and should be used in situations where the caulking needs to be or will be painted over. Always pick a good name brand for this type of caulk; never buy it just on price. This type of caulking remains flexible over a wide range of temperatures. Siliconized acrylic caulk is also quite suitable for exterior caulking applications including sealing around windows or doors and gaps between fascia boards or siding.
Generally speaking, interior surfaces remain stable, producing less movement, but interior caulking still requires a good sealant. Siliconized acrylic sealants have become the standard painters' caulk because it is able to adhere to a wide range of materials. When this type of caulk is applied over minimally moving gaps, acrylic sealants will have good paint crack resistance and tooling characteristics. Most caulking compounds can be used on gaps ¼ inch or less. Wider gaps will require two applications, and deep cracks require that you use foam backing rod.
• Elastomeric Caulk: Good for both exterior and interior applications, elastomeric caulks are the Fantastic Caulk: they can stretch 200% or even more, depending on their manufacture! Just like elastomeric paint, elastomeric caulking compounds can provide outstanding performance in a wide range of temperatures and weather extremes. This is especially important with exterior applications, as all houses expand and contract with changes in temperature throughout the day and seasons. This sealant can bridge relatively large gaps and cracks, dries quickly, lasts a long time, and can be painted over with any type of paint.
Elastomeric Caulk does not come cheap compared to other caulks. But the price you pay is well worth it, for it will save you tremendous amounts of money in the long run.
• Polyurethane Caulk: This may be the best of the best. Polyurethane caulk can stretch even more than elastomeric caulk--up to 300% or more (and some manufacturers claim 1200%)! With this, all of the best attributes of all the other caulks, including paintability, are placed into a convenient, single component cartridge ready to handle your most difficult, even seemingly impossible, caulking requirements. It has very high tensile strength and is able to adhere to almost all types of surfaces including concrete, wood, glass, plastic, and metal. You can use this caulk when you're trying to create a seal between various materials that expand or contract at different rates. Polyurethane caulk also has excellent chemical resistance and is available in both non-sagging and self-leveling.
But beware: Polyurethane caulk can be difficult to apply. It's got a sticky, putty-like consistency and it requires mineral spirits for both tooling and clean up. And, as you might imagine, you're going to lay out the bucks for it. But once again, it's more than worth the price.
Other Caulking Notes
• Stay away from Butyl and Latex Caulk. These might seem like cheap alternatives to some of the above--and that's precisely what they are: cheap!
• You may want to consider premixed color caulks. However, don't ever get cheap with these. Pay the higher price for the good quality ones.
• In order to do the caulking job right, you'll need accessories including a caulking gun, foam backing rod, and an old pair of rubber gloves' fingers (so you can cover your index finger and keep it from wearing out and cutting your job short!). Also, don't forget your mineral spirits if you use the polyurethane caulk.