Outdoor Caulk

Fall is one of the best times to caulk outdoor areas of the home where cold air can seep in. Open joints create drafts and increase heating costs. Don’t heat the outdoors. Take the time to caulk exterior joints of your home. The price of caulk and the effort it takes to apply it can and will save a great deal of money in the long run.

Caulking Advice and Precautions

Keep in mind that caulk is meant for small cracks and gaps, and larger openings would be better sealed with expanding foam. If a gap or crack is more than 3/8 of an inch wide or deep, use expanding foam. It’s a great product that effectively seals larger openings.

Also, a tube of caulk that contains 10.5 ounces of product will generally seal a 40 to 50-foot line. Take this into consideration when purchasing caulk for outdoor jobs around the home. That’s roughly enough caulk to seal approximately four average size windows or three doors. You’ll use more or less depending on the size of the bead.

People are often tempted to smooth a bead of caulk with a bare finger. Caulk can be difficult to remove from the skin, and it contains potentially harmful chemicals. Don’t spread caulk with your finger. Use a simple tool such as a wooden craft stick or a small caulking blade. Your skin will stay clean and the caulk will be smooth and neater in appearance.

Butyl Rubber

Butyl rubber is best used to seal outdoor brick, concrete blocks, aluminum siding, chimneys, and metal flashing. When properly applied it can last up to 20 years. Butyl rubber caulk is flexible, it can be painted, and it can be used in damp locations above or below ground.

On the downside, butyl rubber is slow to cure, it’s known to excessively shrink, it’s stringy, can be difficult to work with, and solvent is required for clean up.

Polyurethane

Don't wait for cold weather before caulking outdoor areas of your home. Open joints create drafts and increase heating costs. Here you'll find valuable information and tips on outdoor caulk and advice on sealing cracks and gaps around the home.

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