What to Search for in Exterior Caulk

The aim of a sealant, or caulk, on the outside of a house is to seal gaps that enable air and moisture to infiltrate the construction of the house.

That appears easy sufficient, however the actuality of constructing supplies is that they’re continuously shifting.

Adjustments in temperature and humidity trigger them to repeatedly broaden and contract which implies the dimensions of these gaps is consistently altering.

Which means the caulk filling these gaps is usually being stretched and squeezed, so if it dries onerous it can crack inside a season or two because of the motion. To have any longevity in an exterior surroundings, a sealant wants to stay versatile even after it dries.

As a result of most houses are comprised of many several types of supplies, the gaps that have to be stuffed are sometimes between utterly totally different constructing supplies. So, a profitable exterior caulk additionally must bond, or adhere, properly to all kinds of supplies and floor textures.

As a result of and exterior sealant may be very seen, it’s additionally essential for it to mix aesthetically with your house. Some caulk choices are very versatile however can’t be painted and solely are available in just a few colours. Whereas there are many “paintable” caulk choices, lots of them dry comparatively onerous inside just a few months.

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Answer: Elastomeric Caulk

Elastomeric caulk is a superb answer as a result of it has the flexibility to stretch.

Titebond DuraMaster High Performance Sealant, seen sticking between a brick and a piece of molding

Titebond has addressed all these points with their new all-purpose exterior sealant referred to as TiteShield.

It’s an elastomeric caulk which, because the identify implies, can stretch even after it’s utterly dry. The truth is, TiteShield can broaden and contract as much as 50% of the joint dimension whereas overlaying gaps as much as two inches in width.