Introduction: | This past week, I was reading "Fine Homebuilding" magazine, (which is the "Southern Living" of residential construction trade magazines ;-)), and there was an article about exterior caulk sealants. Often, during a home inspection we'll discover that the structure needs to be sealed to prevent water or insect intrusion and people say "we'll just caulk it". However, after reading this article, I wonder how many people know if there is a difference in the types of caulks? SO, I'll pose the simple question... |
Answer: | False - In a very informative article in "Fine Homebuilding" magazine, Author, Bill Duckworth characterizes the three basic types of exterior caulk: Acrylic Latex, Silicone and Polyurethane. These three caulks are manufactured using different chemical formulas, and each of sealant has specific characteristic that makes it a good choice for specific applications. Latex, the least expensive - is a good overall caulk, but has poor resistance to direct UV exposure. Silicone, the most expensive is an excellent choice for most applications - BUT CANNOT BE PAINTED. Polyurethane is an excellent choice in all respects except direct exposure to UV rays, but as it can be painted the Polyurethane can be protected from direct UV exposure. Latex cleans up easily with water, but the other two require mineral spirits and can be messy. What is the point in all this? The point is, caulk is not all the same, and if you or your handyman are going to seal exterior surfaces, make sure you discuss the application with a knowledgeable person, or at least read the manufacturers instructions and limitations. |
