Best Caulk For Windows / Doors

davinci

any opinions on GE silcone II ? ITS SOLD AT HOME DEPOT. I know everyone hates HD but they are open late and always near a job site. i figure this caulk is better than that DAP stuff they sell. we use the GE product for any caulking that needs to be done on the inside and OSI Quad for any outdoor caulking.

Grumpy

I don't like silicon caulk. It's non-paintable. For siding, windows and doors I use OSI Quad. It's available in alot of colors and can be painted.

As far as interiors go, I don't do interiors, but the only time we do interiors is when we install windows. We use Alex painters caulk.

TRC

Pure silicone (i use tremsil) for exterior where it won't be painted: vinyl window to alum. capping and such. OSI quad for paintable exterior and alex plus for interior because it will not crack quite as easy as regular alex. I've found that any latex based exterior caulk, which usually uses silicone as an additive, will turn yellow and crack if it's not painted. The acrylic urethane, such as OSI can be painted but doesn't have to be painted.

BTW: i try not to use any GE products since they do business with country's like Iran, supporting their military.

Grumpy

And IBM built the computer that managed the holocaust.

TRC

If you care:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,322048,00.html

Grumpy

http://www.ibmandtheholocaust.com/

Out-Sider

I like to use Sidewinder - seems to expand and contract without cracking. It is a little stickier, but does the job.

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Patrick

we use tremsil silicone for exterior you never see our caulking beads anyways visible caulking is a big no no for me

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

HomeSealed

Quad OSI

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milwaukee replacement windows , window replacement milwaukee ,attic insulation milwaukee, blog, roofing contractor milwaukee

grob62

Quad everywhere, Sidewinder if quad not available

user38755

OSI most all the time. Vulkem for seals to bare concrete, basement windows.

davy crockett

you use 100% silicone on the inside and the painters love you,,,,,,G.E. is what the banjo player on Deliverance was afflicted with

caybound

GE Silicone II XST IS neutral cure and paintable. Use it, love it.

Wayfarer Doors

I only use Mulco Caulking. Its a "thermoplastic" caulking that self levels(read shrinks) and is toolable for about 5 seconds, but also skins over quickly keeping dirt from sticking to it. Its bubble free and the claim it expands up to 1400% and I think its true. My kids are using old caulk as a sling shot. As for silicone, if I have to use it I take a big gob and rub it in my hair just to get it done and over with.

woodworkbykirk

flex 9000 or quad on the outside, dap on the inside
silcione only for bathrooms where the cut out for the sink in the countertop, counter meets wall and at the floor where flooring meets the bath/shower, glass meets wall in built showers
dap for everything painted inside

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putting down subfloor with glue and screws, well i saw dr. smith and the robot too , i had a martian burger and a sonic shake

SealantEngineer

should really try using a commercial grade "natural cure" silicone. It seem like the residential market is so stuck on quad. i put up some test samples of quad i my shop and it adhered nice at first but fail in about 6 months and took about a 25-30 shrinkage. try using dow cornings cws...


swrionline.org/validation/products_sealants.asp

If the sealant you use isn't in the above links list, you should consider changing to one that is on the list... SWRI is GOD in the sealant world, if they dont validate a sealant product you should avoid it like the plague...

KarlV

Echo on those recommending OSI Quad. Hard to beat it.

superseal

Quad's the exterior mainstay unless i'm against stucco - then it's knife grade elastomeric sealant - Thoro or Benny Moore in a bulk gun and I'm a happy camper. Excellent toolability. As far as the Quad, if your tooling, (which I do) you better focus on one joint at a time in limited distance or your gonna be leaving skid marks everywhere. Oh yea, don't stick your fingers in it

ScipioAfricanus

I think the best caulking you can get for windows is sheet metal, preferably copper but bonderized or stainless would do well and a tin-knocker that knows how to install it.

Andy.

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Tom Struble

i have a hard time getting that out of the gun Andyyou really gotta heat it up

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Tom