Types of Caulk

Once upon a time, when you had to 'caulk' something, you went to the hardware store to get a tube of some white stuff to rub onto anything that had a crack or a gap to fill.

Well, times have changed so much so, that there are many types of fillers for highly specific applications. Sealants to retard fire, insects, mold, water, you name it, it's probably out there.

Basic Caulks

For our purposes, we would like to examine the basic types of caulk that will be used for general renovation procedures such as filling gaps as a result of trim installation, sealing windows and door frames from the elements, filling cracks and gaps from normal wear and tear, etc.

The first and probably most common all-purpose filler, is the latex painter's caulk used for all sorts of filling and sealing applications. This filler can be used in many areas, most common being to 'smooth out', or finish something that has been repaired or installed.

Using the example of filling small gaps left after new (or repaired) trim installation, you can see how it fills any slight gap to a smooth, consistent finish.

Another example is to apply caulk to the corner of a wall that has some plaster irregularities, or finish coat blemishes that make it look rough and unfinished. By applying a generous bead to the wall corner, you smooth over the blemishes for a finished look.

Protection From Moisture and the Elements

Another basic type of sealer is that of silicone.

Use 100% silicone to form an impenetrable seal from moisture and the elements for maximum protection. A slightly less expensive (and messy) sealer is an acrylic latex/silicone blend that provides excellent sealing capabilities and long-lasting protection.

The areas to use these types of sealers are:

• Bathroom - particularly around the bath tub or shower, toilet (at floor), and around the sink/countertop backsplash
• Around kitchen countertops and backsplashes
• Exterior windows and doors
• Laundry room - sealing the joint where the baseboard trimwork meets the surface of the floor