Use white caulk to seal up gaps and cracks in materials around the home, such as wood trim, door and window frames, tiles on backsplashes and in the shower, around the sink, and more. It will help to prevent water leakage and damage, as well as increase the insulation levels in your home.
On the other hand, caulk is terrible for filling nail holes and other holes in wood because over time it will shrink and cause a divot. And wood filler is a terrible choice for filling gaps in trim – it would take forever to apply and sand. But either one in the right situation can be magical!
Sometimes known as acrylic latex caulk, this type is best for use with drywall, wood and masonry. It's often called "painter's caulk." This caulk is inexpensive, easy to use, seals well without odors and cleans up easily with water.
If you have a wood element (painted or not) in your house silicone should never be applied there either. Most any other application is usually fine for silicone caulk though I use it sparingly.
To sum up the difference between caulk and wood filler, caulk is to be used to fill in corners and gaps between two materials, whereas wood filler should be used to fill nail holes and other damage on flat wooden surfaces. Wood filler can be sanded and caulking can not.
Wood: For sealing gaps in wood, a silicone caulk such as DAP 100% Silicone Window, Door and Siding Sealant is a great choice. It's waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures, making it ideal for use around windows, doors, and siding.
However, it is important to be aware that silicone caulk is almost never the right choice for wood. If you are looking to seal wooden joints such as those around many types of windows, here are the problems you will face if you opt to use silicone caulk instead of other options like vinyl latex caulk.
Acrylic latex exterior caulk is a popular choice for many materials, including metal, wood, and tile, and comes at a decent price. However, like latex caulk, it will shrink during the curing process and doesn't expand or contract in response to temperature change.
The most commonly used type of caulk for general-purpose projects around the home is acrylic latex caulk because it's well suited for sealing joints and gaps in wood trim. It's recommended to use this product in dry areas of the home, instead of in high-moisture locations, like the kitchen or bathroom.
You can't caulk with silicone when a surface is wet or damp, and it can be hard to ensure that porous materials like wood are truly bone-dry when they often retain moisture for long periods of time.
In general, caulk should be applied before painting if the caulk line will be visible once the paint job is complete. This includes caulk lines around windows, doors, and baseboards. On the other hand, caulk can be applied after painting if the caulk line will be hidden by trim or molding.
Certain places on the exterior of the home should not be caulked, since they'll cut off openings needed for air circulation or drainage. Elegant Painting says these spaces include the gap created when trim boards sit atop the siding, any wood to metal joints, weep holes on windows, and garage door panels.
Flex Seal can be used on almost every surface: wood, metal, tile, concrete, masonry, fabric, glass, plastic, aluminum, porcelain, drywall, rubber, cement, and vinyl. Plus, it won't sag or drip in the summer heat, and it won't crack or peel in the winter cold.
There are three types of clear topcoats used to seal natural wood or bleached furniture – polyurethane, polycrylic, and wax finishes. Each type of clear coat has different pros, cons, and projects that it's best suited for. Polyurethane is available in oil-based and water-based finishes.
Sometimes called “painter's caulk,” an acrylic latex caulk can be a great choice for an interior application. They are easy to use with a caulk gun, easy to work with, clean up quickly, and are paintable once cured. Adheres to: Wood.
There are no guarantees with silicone - it is almost impossible to remove. If the silicone has migrated into the wood through cracks in the old finish, you may not be able to get it all removed.
Sealing joints on a damp surface should be strongly avoided, since silicone sealants generally do not adhere as well to moist substrates. If you want durable joints, never apply sealant in rain, freezing rain, snow or heavy fog.
Caulk: Generally made of flexible acrylic, mastic caulk has a smooth plastic type texture. Best used for filling gaps between skirting boards, doorframes or the edges of shelves and the wall.
Can You Leave Caulk Unpainted? You can but it depends on what type of caulking you are using. As a general rule if you do not intend to paint over the caulk then you use a clear caulk. This is typically used for exteriors around doors and windows.