If your crown molding has edges or seams, you may want to caulk it. You can DIY this work or hire a pro—use this guide to learn the cost for both.
5 Common Types of Caulk: Which One Is Best for Your Next Project?
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Different types of caulk serve specific purposes, so choosing the right one for your project depends on where you plan to use it.
Silicone caulk works best in bathrooms and kitchens because it creates a waterproof seal and resists mold growth around showers, tubs, and sinks.
Acrylic latex caulk is ideal for interior projects like sealing baseboards or patching drywall, and you can paint over it once it dries.
Hiring a local caulking service professional takes the guesswork out of selecting the right caulking material and ensures proper application for long-lasting results.
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Caulk is a versatile sealant that you can apply to everything from sinks to gutters to chimneys, but for it to be effective, you’ll have to use the right type. So, how do you know which kind to choose? It’ll probably come down to one of these five common types of caulk: acrylic latex, silicone, siliconized latex, polyurethane, or butyl rubber. Let’s break down the differences between these varieties of caulk so that you can pick the right one for your project.
What Is Caulk?
Caulk is a flexible sealant used to fill gaps and seal joints around doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures. It also serves as an adhesive between different surfaces (like a sink and a countertop).
There are several varieties of caulk, each with its own purpose. For example, some types are good for sealing showers to prevent water damage and mold growth, while others are better for filling cracks in masonry or concrete.
1. Acrylic Latex Caulk
Photo: Ileerogers / E+ / Getty Images
Acrylic latex caulk—also known as latex caulk or painter’s caulk—is a multi-purpose type of caulk that you can use in a variety of projects. It’s a good choice if you need to seal baseboards or patch holes or cracks in your drywall, but it won’t hold up as well in kitchens, bathrooms, or other moist locations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to apply | May crack or shrink over time |
| Cleans up with water | Not ideal in high-moisture areas |
| Can be painted | Can weaken in sunlight or high heat |
Best for: Filling gaps in wood trim or sealing baseboards
2. Silicone Caulk
Photo: Artem Zakharov / iStock / Getty Images
Silicone caulk is highly flexible and elastic, so it won’t crack as easily as more rigid types of caulk (like latex caulk). For this reason, silicone caulk is ideal in areas that sit in direct sunlight or experience extreme temperature changes—like the exterior of your windows. It’s also recognized as the best caulk for showers because it holds up well against moisture and can prevent mold growth.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent in wet and humid areas | Harder to clean up |
| Remains sturdy through temperature changes | Gives off a powerful odor |
| Can expand and withstand movement | Costlier than other types of caulk |
Best for: Creating a waterproof barrier around showers, tubs, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures
3. Siliconized Latex Caulk
Photo: ProfessionalStudioImages / iStock / Getty Images
Considered the best caulk for windows, this hybrid caulk offers the benefits of both latex and silicone caulk. This means it’s easy to work with and clean up (like latex), but it’s also fairly flexible and somewhat moisture-resistant (like silicone).
With that said, siliconized latex caulk isn’t as effective as silicone at preventing water damage, so it’s better for areas that receive a modest amount of moisture—like a backsplash—rather than places that are constantly wet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple application | Not as durable as pure silicone caulk |
| Stretchy and adhesive | Less water-resistant than silicone |
| Good for indoor and outdoor use | Has a strong smell |
Best for: Sealing the interior and exterior of your windows
4. Polyurethane Caulk
Photo: Toa55 / iStock / Getty Images
Ideal for outdoor projects, this heavy-duty caulk adheres to many different surfaces and building materials, including wood, concrete, brick, and metal. It’s often used to seal gaps in windows and siding to prevent insects and rodents from entering a home.
However, polyurethane caulk is thicker and gooier than many other types of caulk, so it takes longer to dry and cure. In fact, while latex and silicone caulk dries in a few hours or less, it’ll take a full day for polyurethane caulk to dry.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Tough and durable | Difficult to apply |
| Can block pests from entering your home | Takes longer to dry and cure |
| Suitable for outdoor use | Challenging to clean up |
Best for: Caulking between siding and windows to keep pests out
5. Butyl Rubber Caulk
Photo: Douglas Sacha / Moment/ Getty Images
Butyl rubber caulk—like polyurethane—is one of the best exterior caulks on the market today. Once applied, it creates a water-tight seal and holds up well against temperature changes, making it particularly effective for gutters and roofs.
Butyl rubber caulk also works nicely on concrete and masonry, which is why it’s sometimes used on chimneys or foundations. For these types of projects, you should hire a handyperson or local caulking service rather than trying to apply the caulk yourself.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works on a variety of surfaces | Can be harsh and irritating to the body |
| Withstands movement and expansion | Not suitable for indoor use |
| Water-resistant | Messy application that requires a pro |
Best for: Sealing gutters, flashing, and other parts of your roof
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Ceramic tile services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.6★ avg. • 42 total reviews
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Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
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It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
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He did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
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