The project you're working on requires caulk. You can picture yourself at the home store facing a towering wall of caulk tubes that look alike. We've seen it all. There's a caulk out there that can help you. You only need to be able to see through the confusion of labels and weeds to identify the correct one. This list of the most common kinds of caulk is designed to aid. Acrylic Latex CaulkAcrylic latex caulk is the general-purpose caulk. It's inexpensive and quick drying and is suitable for many purposes. It can also be painted. It's also known as "painter’s caulk". This caulk can be used to fill small imperfections or gaps between pieces of wood trim and joints that will be painted. While the label may claim it's suitable for wet areas, it's best to stick to dry surfaces or parts with may see moisture (like exterior siding and trim) however it will be protected by a complete coating of paint. Latex Caulk with SiliconeLatex or acrylic caulk that contains silicone is slightly more water-resistant than regular latex caulk. It is more flexible, and it lasts for longer. You can use this in the same ways as regular latex caulk, as well as for open (unpainted) applications that need only moderate waterproofing. While this caulk is commonly called "tub and tile" caulk, it's certainly not as good as the pure silicone used for bathroom fixtures and tiles. Pure Silicone CaulkSilicone caulk is 100 percent pure silicone. Because of its durability and flexibility the silicone caulk may be costly. The majority of formulas are resistant to mildew and come with inhibitors to reduce discoloration (but all caulks get ugly with time). It's not paintable, that's the biggest issue. However, that shouldn't be a problem for the normal uses. It is possible to paint silicone caulks however it isn't pure silicone. Pure silicone can be used to seal plumbing fixtures, such as sinks, toilets as well as faucets. It can also be used for caulking joints on tile in wet areas. It can also be used as a general-purpose sealant and waterproofer for holes in exterior walls, sealing around pipe and wiring penetrations, and filling gaps between exposed surfaces of nearly every kind. In addition, pure silicone is an extremely sturdy adhesive that can be used as a glue for things like undermount sinks or fixtures that are attached to stone and other hard-to-glue materials. Butyl Rubber CaulkThis messy, sticky caulk is made for use outdoors. It's a great sealant for metal, masonry joints, and other joints that could be subject to contraction or expansion. One example is gutters. If used in conjunction with a backer rod or caulking rod, it can be used to fill joints that are larger. Many formulas can be painted. Refractory CaulkAlso known as fireplace caulk, refractory caulk is a high-temperature sealant good to fill small cracks in brick, concrete and various other materials used in masonry, particularly in chimneys and fireplaces constructed of masonry. This is best used for small repairs, like filling small gaps between bricks in an open fireplace. It's not recommended for replacement for masonry, or for large repairs. Masonry Repair CaulkThe caulk that is flexible is used to seal cracks and expansion joints on driveways and other outdoor concrete surfaces. It is also used to repair and fill cracks in walls made of masonry. The majority of modern formulas are made by using polyurethane (or other urethane-based blends), and some include sand for a masonry-like texture.
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