Caulking Exterior Trim And Siding
High Performance Caulking
As a homeowner, part of your yearly or bi-yearly maintenance schedule should be to inspect and reseal siding and trim joints around the exterior of your home.
Use high-performance acrylic-latex, acrylic, acrylic-silicone, polyurethane, or terpolymer rubber caulks or sealants to seal gaps around windows, doors, corners, and other exterior joints that are exposed to potential water intrusion.
Pure silicone and clear caulks do not work well on Western Red Cedar and are not recommended.
Caulking is not a permanent solution and as such requires regular maintenance. Caulking should NEVER be used as a substitute for properly installed flashing, siding and trim.
If not inspected and maintained, caulking may fail and trap water, creating severe moisture problems. Do not rely on it as the only barrier to moisture penetration. Do not caulk areas that will prevent moisture from escaping the wall cavity (e.g., under windows and around flashing).
