The Best Sealant for Windows

 The Best Sealant for Windows

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Window sealants and caulks are essential for improving energy efficiency and protecting your home from mildew growth, water leaks, air drafts, dust, and pests. Whether you are installing new windows or doors, or replacing old caulk or sealing cracks, a high-quality sealant caulk can provide immediate protection that will last for years.
There is no doubt that proper insulation and air sealing are among the best ways to save money while using heating and cooling systems to reach comfortable temperatures at home all year round. Exterior caulking can also protect from water leaks that may result in mold and mildew, frame rotting, paint peeling, and other damage.

It’s always a smart idea to inspect your home periodically—particularly between seasons when temperature changes occur—for any interior or exterior gaps and openings that could easily be sealed with the help of the right caulk and the best caulking gun. Have a look at the Thomas Guide to the best caulking guns.

Choosing the right type of window caulk is important in order to achieve the best performance and long-lasting caulking results that will prevent air drafts, leaks, mildew growth, dirt, and annoying bugs. Silicone caulks, polyurethane caulks and foams, and acrylic latex caulks are three of the best caulking options for sealing windows.

Silicone caulks
Silicone caulks are among the best caulks for sealing windows. Silicone helps provide a long-lasting seal that can be applied against interior or exterior windows and its flexible material will not crumble in hot or cold temperatures. These properties make it an excellent exterior caulk that remains flexible.

Most silicone caulks are clear and cannot be painted. Many manufacturers offer tinted silicone caulks in white, black, or gray to match different window finishes. Silicone caulks are available in cartridges or tubes. Unlike regular caulk, silicone versions are fully waterproof, tend to dry fast, and work within a few minutes after application, making them arguably the best exterior caulk type available.

Polyurethane caulk
Polyurethane is another popular caulking material known for its weatherproof and sealing properties. It is typically used as an exterior caulk and can be easily applied with the use of a caulk gun. Unlike silicone caulking, it can be trimmed and painted over and it creates a strong seal that remains intact when exposed to temperature changes and other weather elements.

Another type of polyurethane sealant, polyurethane foam, is commonly used for installations of windows and doors. It is applied to fill rough openings and expands to bond wood, aluminum, and other materials, and seal big gaps without causing frames to bend.

Acrylic latex caulk
The water-based formula of acrylic caulk has many benefits. Although acrylic latex caulks are not considered a durable exterior caulk, this caulk is still a great choice for interior applications as it contains fewer hazardous chemicals than other types of caulking and does not have a strong odor.

Acrylic caulk can be painted to match any finish. Once applied, any excess caulking can be easily cleaned with water.

Butyl rubber caulk and other specialty caulks
Butyl rubber caulk and other specialty caulks are commonly used around the house exterior but are formulated for other applications such as sealing gutters, roofs, siding, and other areas exposed to the weather. While they withstand extreme temperatures and protect from water damage, these types of caulks are not as flexible and therefore are not preferred for window applications.

How to Apply Window Sealants
Before applying caulking, it is important to ensure that the exterior or interior area is free of wet surfaces, frost, dirt, and dust in order to achieve a strong bonding and clean and long-lasting results. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure that all the product’s specifications and guidelines are taken into consideration. Each caulk has different properties when it comes to the temperature range at which it can be applied, its curing time, and other important details.

Any caulk that comes in a cartridge requires the use of a caulk gun. While most cartridges will be compatible with any regular caulking gun, some professional-grade sealants require the use of specific guns of the same brand. Caulking guns have trigger handles that apply pressure to force the caulk out of the cartridge nozzle. When choosing a caulking gun, it’s best to avoid inexpensive guns and to invest in a better quality caulk gun that will last several uses and help dispense caulking evenly.