Quality Indoor and Outdoor Caulk and Sealants for Homes
Caulk is a wet substance that dries as a flexible material that seals cracks and gaps. It is the most effective material at preventing air and moisture from entering surfaces. General usage includes expansion joints, small gaps, and cracks. Caulk should not be used to fill screws or nail holes.
Our extensive experience and field tests enable us to provide sound recommendations on the best interior and exterior caulk for a range of applications.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Caulk
Caulk provides unparalleled visual improvements when painting interior or exterior surfaces, making cracks between overlapping materials more appealing to the eye. Sealing gaps between materials provides a seamless transition between surfaces, such as interior walls, baseboards, and exterior siding and trim.
Caulk expands its versatility by offering specific formulations for metal, tile, glass, and other surfaces. However, the common usage is sealing doors and windows.
If you notice gaps and cracks around your home, it’s time to get some caulk and seal those up. Choosing the best caulking depends on the surface, area, and climate where you are applying it.
Spending a few extra dollars to protect your home from mold and other potential damage is worth the investment. Making doors, windows, and exterior siding airtight will save you money on your energy bill!
Caulking products come in various types and are ideal for different settings. We’ll walk you through the characteristics of the top 10 sealants to help you determine the best caulk based on usage.
The Top 10 Exterior & Interior Caulks & Sealants
Best General Purpose Sealant
DAP offers a wide range of caulk, and Extreme Flex is one of the better offerings for general-purpose use.
Best Multipurpose Exterior Caulk
Ge Silicone Supreme is the most durable paintable exterior caulking we have used.
Best Multi-Purpose Interior Caulk
Lexel is the best solution for hard-to-stick indoor surfaces subject to water or high moisture.
Best Exterior Painter Caulk
This indoor/outdoor caulking is best for exterior surfaces, providing thick coverage and outstanding adhesion across multiple surfaces.
Best Interior Painters Caulk
SW Sher-Max is the best for indoor painting projects, creating a clean, seamless interface between walls & trim, making cutting-in easier.
Best For Windows & Doors
This caulk will not react to metal and meets ASTM C-920 Class 25 flexibility test requirements.
Best For Gutters
Sealing aluminum and other metal gutters with Lucas will ensure a leakproof seal for the lifetime of the gutter system.
Best For Brick & Concrete
Sakrete polymer non-sag sealant fills expansion joints and mortar crack up to “1 wide and withstands high car and foot traffic abrasions.
Best General Purpose Sealant
OSI provides professional solutions for siding, window, and door installations and has some of the best construction adhesives.
Best General Purpose Sealant
Depending on your roof type, Henry is a well-known leader who provides several roofing sealants and cement and is trusted by roofers nationwide.
Latex Painters Caulk Usage & Durability
Water-based latex caulking is widely used by painting contractors. The main reason is that it’s easier to manage and clean up. Latex caulking enables the most straightforward applications, allowing painters to paint over it easily and making every crack and seal appear more uniform.
Expect premium versions to last 4-8 years. Latex caulking is adequate for filling in expansion joints outside wood siding and small gaps in window and door frames.
It’s important to understand that the caulking has no actual rubber. Instead, acrylic polymers are the main ingredients. It can be confusing, but latex merely alludes to the pliability of the caulking – misleading, we know! Premium versions of this caulking will contain fewer clay fillers and more good stuff!
Tip: Be cautious if you live in a cold environment. This type of caulk does not stick well in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Because it is water-based, dry weather conditions are also ideal.
Premium Acrylic Latex Caulk Usage & Durability
Acrylic caulk is another versatile, water-based caulk. It is easy to apply and clean. Acrylic-based caulking can be used to fill cracks and gaps narrower than 1/4 inch on wood, HardiePlank, Drywall, and PVC trim surfaces.
Acrylic latex caulk offers similar durability to latex. However, this caulking is more resistant and fortified with better quality acrylic polymers, lasting 10 to 15 years. In addition to being easy to paint over, this caulking is available in various colors, allowing it to match a range of interior and exterior surfaces.
Like its latex brother, acrylic caulk works best when the outside temperature is above 40 degrees.
Exterior Silicone Caulk Usage & Durability
Silicone caulk is highly flexible and adheres well to tile, glass, metal, and other smooth surfaces. Typically, you will find silicone caulk applied to roofs. The product can also be applied to Masonite and vinyl siding, making it a versatile caulk for outdoor use.
Because it is not water-based, it is extremely effective at preventing mildew and mold. However, some outdoor silicone cannot be painted over. Refer to our list above for paintable silicone sealants.
Silicone sealant is not the easiest material to apply. But it is the best exterior caulk for durability, lasting up to 50 years!
Silicone caulking is not water-soluble and requires mineral spirits for cleanup. Silicone sealants can be applied at various temperatures, and non-toxic options are available.
Exterior Urethane Caulking Durability
Urethane caulking is an extremely durable, all-purpose filler and is among the most versatile and longest-lasting. Because urethane-based caulkings increase adhesion properties, they stick to virtually any surface. These sealants are paintable but don’t require paint for moisture resistance or added protection.
There are various formulations of urethane-based caulk, but none last as long as silicone caulk. However, urethane caulking expands after application and effectively insulates and prevents air from entering.
If you want a durable, low-toxicity caulk that is easy to work with, urethane-based caulking is the sweet spot for premium exterior caulk. Premium versions last up to 25 years.
Exterior Butyl Rubber Exterior Caulk Usage
Butyl rubber sealant is a popular pick due to its elasticity. The additional flex is great at sealing exterior joints that expand and contract. Butyl rubber can be applied to masonry, metal, and gutters and is the most resilient waterproofing sealer, best for chimney flashing and roofing applications.
Butyl rubber is known to shrink more than other sealants. Therefore, two applications are recommended. You shouldn’t apply it to cracks or holes larger than 0.25 in.
The strength of butyl is its flexibility. However, it is prone to becoming brittle and losing elasticity, leading to oxidation and hairline cracks. In areas of extreme weather exposure, expect this caulk to last between 8 and12 years.
Exterior Modified Silicone Polymers
Chemically modified caulking and sealants combine acrylic, silicone, and urethane and can be painted over with latex/acrylic paint.
Modified versions of exterior caulking are among the best for wood, aluminum, vinyl, and fiber cement siding. It is also great at sealing gaps around doors, vents, and windows.
This type of caulk is known for its flexibility and can be applied in wet conditions.
Polyurethane Exterior Caulking
Polyurethane is the most versatile and durable caulking to date. It is formulated for heavy commercial use and adheres to virtually any surface.
Polyurethane caulking has a strong odor, and while some labels may recommend interior use, we would disagree as home improvement specialists. Make no mistake, this is premium caulk, and some may argue it’s one of the best, but it has its place.
Don’t Cheap-Out
No matter the situation, choose the best exterior or interior caulking or sealant for your home or commercial project. All listed products are excellent performers that we use and rely on daily. Each product is relatively inexpensive and offers a minor upgrade over inferior offerings.
Because of the flood of crap caulking, there are a lot of misleading reviews and product claims. All of our recommendations are based on real-world use, and we have been a home service provider for over 20 years.
Contact us if you need painting or home installation services in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, or the Triangle area.
