How to Choose Best Caulk & Sealant for Home Projects

9 / 10

When you’re looking for a good silicone sealant to keep around for odd jobs, Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal is our top pick. It seals out water, air and moisture for a mildew-free finish. In only 30 minutes it’s ready to come into contact with water, so it works well for both interior bathroom applications and exterior trim.

This particular caulk is white and isn’t paintable, so use it on white surfaces or use this caulk-matching hack.

Pros

• Long-lasting and durable once cured
• Water-ready in only 30 minutes
• Waterproof and mold- and mildew-resistant
• Adheres to a wide variety of materials

Cons

• Not paintable

10 / 10

Refractory sealant isn’t like your average caulk. It can be either cement-based or silicone, but either way, it offers incredible heat-resistance. That makes it ideal for projects in and around the fireplace, furnace or heating ducts. Rutland Furnace Cement seals metal-to-metal or metal-to-masonry joints, so it’s perfect for ceramic logs, stoves and firebrick. As a bonus, heat helps cure it up even faster.

For outdoor applications or projects that don’t require such high temperature resistance, opt for a high-heat silicone seal instead.

Pros

• Rated to withstand up to 2000° F
• Offers a permanent smoke- and gas-tight seal
• Paintable once cured

Cons

• Requires a heat cure

There are a lot of options in the caulk aisle, and trying to spot the little differences on the label can be tough if you don’t know what you are looking for. We’re here to help you make sense of those ever-expanding choices and choose the right caulk for specific jobs, so you never load your caulk gun with the wrong product.

“Caulk should be chosen based on the application,” notes Cantor. “For exterior use, where weather and waterproofing is a factor, silicone or Butyl rubber sealant is the best choice. Acrylic or latex caulking works well for interior conditions, especially painted areas. Tub and tile caulk is often used around fixtures. I prefer silicone sealant because it’s more elastic and a better seal. Our company only uses proven products such as DAP and GE.”

The following traits are those he considers most important:

Elasticity

Silicone or polyurethane is the most elastic. This is especially important for materials exposed to extreme temperature changes like heating and cooling. These temperature changes can cause non-elastic materials to split and crack.

Drying Time

“Drying and curing time depends on the type of material,” says Cantor. “Silicone and acrylic is about the same, 30-180 minutes drying and 1–10 days for curing. Butyl dries to the touch in one hour and cures in 24 hours.”

Color and Texture

“Caulk, silicone, Butyl and refractory sealants come in different colors,” notes Cantor. “For textures to match tile, grout manufacturers like Laticrete and Custom Building Products make corresponding silicone caulking to their colors in sanded and non-sanded textures.”

Adhesion

Cantor says that when it comes to adhesion, the more silicone the better. “For exterior, Butyl typically has better adhesion and holds up well under weather conditions,” he notes.

What are the most common kinds of caulk?

These types of caulk dominate the shelves at tool supply stores. Labels don’t always tell you what’s in the tube, so we’ve included examples of each type of sealant.

• Acrylic Latex: Acrylic latex caulks are the easiest to apply and smooth out. They’re also the only sealants that clean up with water. Look for versions labeled “siliconized” or “plus silicone.” Adding silicone to acrylic latex improves adhesion and flexibility.
• Silicone: Caulking is acrylic, latex or a blend and may have silicone. Silicone sealant can be 100% or a blend and lends itself to better elasticity.
• Butyl Rubber Sealant: Butyl rubber sealant is oil-based and made from refinery cracking.
• Refractory Sealant: Refractory is designed for high temperatures around brick. The make-up of refractory sealant is natural and synthetic materials, typically non-metallic with combinations of compounds, minerals such as fire clays, dolomite, silicon carbide, zirconia and others.
• Polyurethane: Poly caulks are generally tougher than other sealants, making them a good choice for driveways and other areas that take a beating. But their gooey consistency makes them hard to work with. Check the label before painting; you may have to wait several days.
• Solvent-Based: Many solvent-based caulks are great for roofing because they don’t degrade in direct sunlight and can be applied to wet surfaces. But they’re gooey and hard to apply neatly.
• Hybrid: Most hybrid caulks combine silicone and polyurethane for top-notch adhesion, flexibility and longevity. They’re easier to apply and neatler than polyurethane but not as easy as acrylic latex. Most aren’t labeled “hybrid,” but the cost is a clue: High-quality hybrids are usually the most expensive caulks on the shelf.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’m an experienced Assistant Editor with a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry. My work mainly focuses on home projects, repair and DIY. Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece. Way consulted Gregg Cantor, President/CEO at Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel.

Gregg Cantor began working for Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel in 1977 learning all things for the home from the ground up, inside and outside. Over the years, Gregg has been responsible for managing the design and build of over 2,500 home construction and remodeling projects including landscaping, pools and outdoor living. He also has made many appearances on local news in San Diego, co-hosted shows on ABC TV and iHeart Radio, guested on national podcasts, as well as being quoted in national publications, educating consumers on all aspects of architectural, interior design, home improvement, construction and maintenance. Gregg’s experience also includes expert witness work, feasibility studies, cost estimation and consultations with home buyers.

How We Found the Best Caulk

Caulk is not a one-size-fits-all product. That’s why we combed through our resources to figure out the most common uses for caulk. From there we spoke to construction experts, learning about the different ingredients and sealant types and which projects each is suited to. Finally, we used our own experiences and read through hundreds of user reviews to locate the very best products for each DIY project.

The result? We’re confident that each caulk on this list is the best bang for your buck.

FAQ

“Caulk is made from latex and acrylic materials which is prone to shrinkage when cured,” says Cantor. “Sealant is primarily silicone, making it elastic and water resistant.”

Where should you not use caulking?

According to Cantor, caulking should not be used on wall or ceiling surface areas, where it will stand out after painting due to textures. “Caulk should not be used to fill gaps more than 1/4 inch. Around electrical trim, heat registers, door casing, baseboards, caulking paints up well and is not noticeable,” he adds.

Are silicone sealants any good?

Years ago, silicone caulk was a good choice for many jobs. Today, there are dozens of different options for almost every situation. So why is silicone still so popular? Cantor says that this popularity is based on performance. Plus, silicone is used by most widely recognized brands.

“Dap and GE are both good silicone brands. For textures, Laticrete and Custom Building Products are good. All of these manufacturers offer different levels of adhesion and warranty. I always recommend spending the few extra dollars to buy trusted, recognized brands,” he says.

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