You're in the Reading Room
Selected Section: PaintingAging in Place • Appliances • Bathrooms • Cooling & Heating • Flooring • Kitchens • Patio & Deck • Painting • Planning • Roofing • Siding • Utilities • Windows
Choosing The Right Caulking For Your Project!
Caulking is a generic term for many different types of caulk and sealers. There is truly no one general purpose caulking product as each type has been formulated for specific purposes. It is very important to choose the correct product for the project that you are undertaking. Read package labels in detail to determine which product is best suited for your job.
- Painter's Caulking: If you need a product to fill holes and
cracks prior to painting an inexpensive latex caulking works extremely
well. It can also be used to provide a seamless joint in a corner where
two different materials meet or when painting abutting walls with different
color paints.
- Acrylic Latex Caulking: This caulking can be used indoors or
outdoors. It can be painted over and because it is latex, (water based)
you can clean up with a damp rag.
- Silicon Latex Caulking: This is a latex caulk that has silicone
formulated in it. The silicone makes it very durable for both indoor and
outdoor use. Silicon latex caulking does not accept paint and hence is
available in a variety of colors. It can be cleaned up with a damp rag.
- Silicone Caulking: Silicone caulking works very well when sealing
between materials such as ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass, metal and
other non-porous substances. It should not be used on any porous materials
such as, wood, masonry, natural stone, granite, or marble as it will stain
the surface of the material. Silicone cannot be painted and clean up is
with the use of a solvent or thinner. When applying a 100% silicone caulk
adequate ventilation is required as the fumes are toxic. Silicone caulking
is available in clear, white and black.
- Tub & Tile Caulking: Designed primarily for bathroom use, this
product will provide a mildew resistant seal between areas that are very
wet, such as the joint between a bathtub and wall.
- Butyl Rubber Caulking: This product has excellent thermal expansion
characteristics and because of that works extremely well in outdoor environments
where large temperature changes are common. The material can be used on
most porous and non-porous surfaces such as metal, concrete and wood.
Some manufacturers will identify the product as a foundation, gutter,
or roof caulking. Clean up is with the use of solvents.
- Butyl Rubber & Asphalt Caulking: Primarily used for roof repair
especially around chimney and vent pipe flashings and skylights. Clean
up is with solvents.
- Adhesive Caulking: Most caulking has an adhesive quality to
it. However, some caulking is specifically formulated to act as an adhesive.
An adhesive caulking is often used to inset bathroom fixtures such as
soap dishes, seal sink rims and to mount countertops to cabinetry. Adhesive
caulking has less flexibility than other caulking.
- Concrete & Mortar Caulking: Used to seal cracks in mortar and concrete, this product is formulated to adhere to masonry. It is usually a latex based product and cleans up with damp rag.
For additional information on caulking.
For additional information on d.i.y. home improvement projects visit Renovation Headquarters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome