Different Types Of Caulk And Uses

Using caulk to seal cracks, joints and any other types of separation on the exterior of your home prior to painting is an essential step in the preparation of your home in order to achieve a long-lasting paint job. As a Hoover Al house painter, I recently completed painting a house in Hoover, where we used almost two cases of caulking in the preparation process. While most homes normally wont require that much caulk, it is very important that enough is used to ensure that your home is properly sealed and protected. The main reason to use caulking is of course to help to protect your home but there is a second, albeit a less important reason to use caulk and that is because it will help your paint job to look much better, providing a clean, seamless look to your house. There are many different types of caulk sold today, but the most common types of  caulk is latex and a latex/silicone blend. While both of these caulks have their advantages, I normally use and recommend a latex/silicone blend caulk especially for outdoor use. The latex/silicone blend will offer more protection from the elements and the temperature changes when used on the exterior and will generally last longer than a latex caulk will. A good quality latex caulk is fine to use on the interior of your home and cleans up easier. Finally, if you do not plan to paint over the caulking once it is applied, you may want to consider using a clear, pure silicone caulk. Just keep in mind that silicone caulk is sometimes difficult to apply and will not clean up with soap and water. Whatever type of caulking that you choose for you home is not as important as making sure that your house is caulked and sealed properly. If you have any other questions about properly caulking your home, ask a local Hoover Al painting contractor for advice and suggestions.