The Best Exterior Caulk To Effectively And Easily Seal The Gap
If you want your paint job to last, you should not skip caulking. It should be done before you start painting your house. Most beginners and DIY painters may not be familiar with this step.
It may not be known to many but caulking has a number of benefits. It helps seal your exterior surfaces against drafts and prevents any moisture from seeping into your home. Caulking prevents your structures and fixtures from getting damaged.
It protects your house from harsh weather conditions, reduces the temperature in your home, and prevents peeling on the corners of your structures. In this regard, we’ve rounded up a list of the best exterior caulk for your reference.
Different Types Of Caulk
A caulk is simply intended to fill-in gaps, cracks and crevices in various parts of your home to protect your home from air, water, insects, and other elements from infiltrating your house. Caulks are usually made of silicone, latex or both. A silicone latex caulk provides an easy application with a stronger material.
A caulk is packaged in a tube or cartridge design. A caulk gun and cartridge produces a more continuous drop compared to a squeeze tube, making it more suitable for small and minor home renovations.
There are different types of caulk depending on where you plan to use it. It varies from interior to exterior uses including roofing, gutters, concrete, windows, plumbing and other outdoor structures. In this case, we will focus on exterior caulking.
Here are some of the more notable differences between a latex and a silicone caulk.
- Latex – A latex is relatively quicker to apply than a silicone caulk. It is also simple to clean up because all you need are just soap and water. In case you need to remove, change or replace it, a latex caulk is easier to deal with.
- Silicone – A silicone caulk, on the other hand, requires careful preparation. You’ll need mineral spirits to clean it up and is harder to remove than latex. It is more applicable to nonporous surfaces and works better on cracks that expand.
The latex material produces less odor compared to silicone. It is flexible to use on both porous and nonporous surfaces. This type of caulk is more suitable for gaps that remain constant.
On the upside, a silicone material is more durable than latex and works well against extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. It also lasts longer.
Best Exterior Caulk Reviews
Here are the most highly recommended exterior caulks for your outdoor renovations. We’ve identified the pros and cons of each to give you a proper understanding of how each product works.
1. Sashco Big Stretch Caulk
Via: Amazon.com
This acrylic high-performance caulking sealant is designed with elasticity. Therefore it doesn’t easily crack or split when you’re using it. It suitable for both interior and exterior crevices. Since it is water-based, this caulk is simple and easy to clean up.
Pros:
- It stretches up to at least three times longer than the crack without tearing up.
- Unlike other caulks, this product can be painted on.
- It is easy to use and spreads like butter on your gaps while filling it up completely.
- You can use it to repair your existing cracks.
- This brand is mostly used and recommended by building contractors.
Cons:
- It’s not that easy to find especially since it isn’t carried by most local home depot stores.
- If you want to paint on it, you need to wait for at least 24 hours.
- It attracts both dirt and dust so it is highly advisable that you paint on it. This will help prevent dust from settling in.
- Before using it on gaps, test it on a sample piece first because it may not match the exact color of your surface.
Verdict:
The SashcoBig Stretch is appropriate for caulking exterior windows and doors. It holds up well against various temperature and environmental changes compared to other caulks that easily dry and crack. This caulk is designed with strong adhesion and elasticity that can stick and hold without cracking. It may be more expensive than its competitors but it provides value for your money.
2. DAP Acrylic Latex Caulk Plus Silicone
Via: Amazon.com
This latex plus silicone caulk is made from quality materials to provide a solid caulking. It is designed to resist mildew and moisture. Therefore it provides a strong adhesion to various types of exterior surfaces including metal, wood, brick, stone and other materials.
Pros:
- It is very affordable yet it does a good job of caulking. The material holds up as long as the more expensive brands.
- This caulk works effectively on any kind of crack, gap, bends and other types of splits.
- It dries clearly and has a slight sheen that is almost unnoticeable unlike other caulks that claim to have a transparent color.
- The caulk has a nice, even and smooth finish.
- It is easy to use and clean as well.
Cons:
- Since it is made of non-sanded caulk, it may contract over time.
- When you are applying it, make sure air doesn’t get into the caulk. Otherwise, you may end up with a bubbly caulk.
- Since it has a certain sheen on it, always wipe off any excess material immediately. Otherwise, you may be left with shiny parts on the surface.
Verdict:
The DAP Acrylic LatexCaulk Plus Silicone comes in handy for various types of caulking repairs. It works great both on small cracks or even big gaps. Plus, it’s easy in the pocket. You can get the same high quality at a lower price.
3. DAP Silicone Sealant
Via: Amazon.com
This caulk is most appropriate for caulking both interior and exterior windows, doors, and sidings. It is designed to protect and seal gaps to weatherproof your home. This caulk is built to resist mildew, therefore protecting your home from molds. Plus, it doesn’t crack easily.
Pros:
- It holds up well even in extremely cold temperature.
- The consistency of the caulk is very flexible. Not too soft nor too hard. Therefore, it fills in the right places.
- In case you made a mistake, you can easily remove it without any hassle.
- It worked successfully on covering the cracks in my bedroom windows. I used to have bugs and insects climbing through the holes but ever since I caulked it with this product, there have are no signs of bugs in the room.
Cons:
- It easily attracts dirt but you can always clean it with a wet cloth.
- The material has an awful alcohol-based smell. The foul odor made it hard for me to work with because I kept coughing the entire time I was applying it.
- Although it dries easily, it still leaves a sticky substance.
Verdict:
The DAP Silicone caulk is easy to apply when filling gaps and cracks. The consistency is just right so it minimizes any errors on applications. In case you need to redo it, the caulk is easy to remove.
4. GE Silicone Caulk
Via: Amazon.com
This silicone caulk is flexible and can fit in any size of crack. It is not only waterproof but it is also resistant to mildew, sunlight and freezing temperatures. This is appropriate for windows, doors, trims, sidings, vents, and other types of applications. It can be used for both interior and exterior surfaces and is guaranteed to be long lasting.
Pros:
- It efficiently seals rubber-based materials. I used this to fill the cracks in my rubber roofing and to my delight, it worked well against rain. I did not have any water leaks inside my shed.
- The caulk adheres well and is long lasting.
- Since it is resistant to heat, it worked effectively on sealing my porch. Now, I don’t get any leaks.
Cons:
- You can’t paint on it. Remember, not all silicone caulks can be painted on. It is better to check the label first before buying.
- Be careful when applying it. It’s hard to clean once it dries in your hands.
- The material tends to be sticky even after drying.
- Although it does the job well, the caulk is a bit messy to apply.
Verdict:
The GE silicone caulk is a good choice for outdoor surfaces especially areas that are prone to direct sunlight, rain and other weather conditions. It does a good job of sealing cracks and gaps in various sizes.
5. DAP Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Plus Silicone
Via: Amazon.com
This White acrylic latex caulk plus silicone is built with high-quality materials. It is both flexible and durable making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This caulk is resistant to mildew and is easy to clean up.
Pros:
- Compared to other silicone caulks I’ve used, this product stays cleaner than the rest.
- The white color is set beautifully and maintains its consistency even over time.
- It is easy to apply and doesn’t drip.
- You can easily clean it up with water using your fingers.
- It starts off with a soft consistency and becomes hard as soon as it dries making it durable against exterior elements.
Cons:
- Since it isn’t waterproof, it may soften and crack when it comes in contact with water.
- It doesn’t dry easily.
- The material may appear brittle in some cases.
Verdict:
The DAP Alex Plus is very easy to use. You can apply it without worrying about leaks. Plus, it’s also easy to clean.
Conclusion:
After reviewing the top five exterior caulk in the market, I strongly recommend the Sashco Big Stretch Caulk. Although all these products may work well for exterior use, the Big Stretch appears to have more edge than the rest.
It is made with high-quality materials to withstand any type of caulking application. Its elasticity is what makes it stand out from the other brands making it the best exterior caulk in the market. The Big Stretch is durable and doesn’t easily crack when applied to the gaps. Therefore, it holds well against any kind of environment.
Plus, did we mention that professional builders recommend this product too?