Best Caulk Reviews 2018

Caulking can be an expensive task because you may have to caulk your exteriors in the spring and re-caulk tubs and showers that may have been affected by mildew. The price of caulk for the most part depends on the type you need. Latex-based sealants are the most common and are inexpensive compared to silicone caulk. The price of caulk will also depend on the amount that comes in each tube, so if you just need to use it for small fixes, buying a large tube is certainly not recommended. This type of sealant is inexpensive for the most part, so there’s no reason to buy cheap caulk because, after you’ve used it, you will have a bigger problem to deal with than when you first started.

There are a few caulk manufacturers that include extras along with the package such as gloves and quick stop straws, saving you money from buying them separately. If you have a large caulking task to deal with, it is wise and cost efficient to buy sealant in packs of two or three, which not only saves you a few dollars but also saves you trips to the hardware store. But to give you a rough idea of prices you can expect to see on the shopping trail, caulk can cost anywhere between $15 for a 20-ounce tube to $150 for a pack of 20 or more tubes.

Before you set out to buy the best caulk, you should determine the type of sealant you need to get the job done right.

That said, here are a few factors to consider when going through the myriad of options:

• Type –Caulk is often made from latex or silicone or a mix of the two
• Amount –This is the amount of sealant that comes in a single tube and is generally measured in ounces
• Accessories –Some caulk manufacturers include handy accessories along with the package such as gloves
• Shelf Life –Although it may be tempting to buy a pack of two or three tubes, remember that caulk does expire
• Brand –Buying from a reputable brand ensures that you get high-quality sealant

There are different types of caulk available for kitchens, bathrooms, molding, gutters, interior and exterior jobs, and more. There are four different types of caulk available namely butyl, silicone, latex, and polyurethane.

• Latex sealants are the most preferred choice as they are water soluble, making them easy to use and clean up. Their best use is on highly-porous surfaces such as wood and wallboard and can be used both on the inside and outside.
• Butyl-rubber caulk is a great choice for tasks such as flashings, chimneys, and gutters and can be used in extremely wet conditions.
• Silicone caulk is extremely flexible but does require solvent such as alcohol for cleanup. Another aspect about silicone caulk worth mentioning is that in most cases it is not paintable and is not a good fit for redwood, cedar, masonry, or stone.
• Polyurethane caulk can be difficult to apply but boasts a very high-tensile strength, making it compatible with almost any type of surface including wood, concrete, glass, plastic, and metal.

Apart from the types of caulk mentioned above, there is also an array of specialty caulks—such as adhesive caulk and concrete caulk—that are each designed for a specific purpose.

Some caulks require a caulk gun for application, while others are available in squeeze tubes or aerosol containers. Squeeze tubes of caulk are an ideal choice for small tasks but completing large projects efficiently does require a good caulk bead with gun. If you’re going to be applying caulk in tight areas, narrow-tipped aerosol cans prove helpful. If you’re going to be caulking in cold weather, you may want to use silicone caulk but ensure that you store it indoors before use to keep it warm and allow it to flow smoothly. Although silicone caulk is extremely durable, it can go bad at some point. The shelf life of this type of caulk is shorter than other caulks. Therefore, silicone caulks might harden in an unopened tube if more than a year old. If the caulk does turn hard, you may want to try warming it up until it flows out, but this doesn’t guarantee that it will offer the same sealing properties as when it was in its youthful phase.