Caulk Guide

Type of Caulk

Vinyl Latex
Cure time: Fast
Elasticity: Low
Clean-up: Water
Application Temperature: Dry, above 40 degrees
Performance: ★★
Paintable: Yes
Mold & Mildew Resistant: No
Description: Most effective on small cracks, non-flammable, paintable but not flexible and hardens over time.
Acrylic
Cure time: Fast
Elasticity: Low
Clean-up: Water
Application Temperature: Dry, above 40 degrees
Performance: ★★
Paintable: Yes
Mold & Mildew Resistant: No
Description: All purpose, more flexible than vinyl, Easy to apply, non-flammable. Adheres to most surfaces (best on wood and masonry) Can be painted shortly after application. Not recommender for excessive water collection .
Acrylic Urethane
Cure time: Medium
Elasticity: High
Clean-up: Water
Application Temperature: Dry, above 40 degrees
Performance: ★★★★
Paintable: Yes
Mold & Mildew Resistant: Yes
Description: Commonly referred to as an elastomeric. This caulk is extremely flexible, crack resistant and great for gap filling. Water clean-up and adheres to multiple surfaces. Can be painted after longer drying time.
Siliconized Acrylic
Cure time: Fast
Elasticity: Medium
Clean-up: Water
Application Temperature: Dry, above 40 degrees
Performance: ★★★
Paintable: Yes
Mold & Mildew Resistant: Yes
Description: More durability and better performing caulk than Acrylic and Vinyl. Much better flexibility, interior and exterior with good adhesion to most surfaces. Easily applied, mildew resistant, can endure moderate temperature changes.
Silicone
Cure time: Fast
Elasticity: High
Clean-up: Solvent
Application Temperature: Any Temperature
Performance: ★★★
Paintable: No
Mold & Mildew Resistant: Yes
Description: Best around tubs and sink because it is mildew resistant and 100% water resistant. Excellent adhesion on smooth surfaces (glass & metal) not great on masonry. UV resistant and remains very flexible after curing. NOT paintable and does not stick to itself
Modified Polymers
Cure time: Medium
Elasticity: High
Clean-up: Water
Application Temperature: Any Temperature
Performance: ★★★★
Paintable: Yes
Mold & Mildew Resistant: Yes
Description: Combines the best characteristics of silicone, acrylic and rubber caulks. Excellent flexibility, paintable. Can be applied at high and low temperatures and to wet surfaces. Solvent clean-up

Things to Keep in Mind

Materials: Some caulks adhere better to certain materials than others.

Moisture: In areas that stay wet, such as around a tub or sink, use a caulk that is highly resistant to both water and mildew.

Temperature: Some caulks can only be applied in warm weather while others aren’t designed to handle extreme changes in temperature.

Location: When caulking outdoors, choose one that will hold up to the elements and is flexible enough to withstand movement in the joint.

Paintable: While most caulks can be painted over after they have cured, others cannot.

Application: Some caulks are easy to apply and can be cleaned up with water while others are messy and require solvents. Several caulks have a strong odor while curing and a few even release noxious fumes.

Caulk Gun Basics

Caulk guns have a built-in cutter to sever the tip on caulk tubes. Just insert the tip of the caulk tube and squeeze the handle. As you squeeze the handle, a razor knife edge cleanly cuts the plastic caulk tube at precisely the right distance from the tip.

Mounted to the metal housing on the caulk gun you'll find a length of stiff metal wire. Use the wire as a probe to reach into the plastic tip on the caulk tube and punch through the seal inside. Wipe the wire clean after puncturing the  seal, and fold it away against the body of the caulk gun.

How to Caulk

1

Start by cutting the nozzle at a 45 degree angle equal in width to the gap you plan to fill. Cutting too wide a hole not only wastes caulk but makes the bead more noticeable and harder to smooth out.

2

Puncture the seal on the tube using the punch on the caulking gun or a nail.

3

Place the tube in the gun and push the plunger up snug. Squeeze the trigger until caulk starts to come out of the nozzle. Put the nozzle in the gap and pull the gun slowly toward you at a 45 degree angle while pushing the trigger. The bead should contact both sides of the joint and fill the gap.

4

Use a clean wet finger, damp rag, or special caulk smoothing tool to even out the bead before it skims over.

5

To make a straight line, use strips of painter’s tape on each side of the gap. After applying the caulk and smoothing it out, peel off the tape.

Browse Our Selection of Caulk Products