The Basics Of Window Caulking
If the heating and cooling costs of your home are high, one contributing factor might be air leakage. Air can leak from a variety of places in your home, including the attic, basement, or windows. Luckily, air leakage from windows has a quick and easy fix: caulking.
What is Caulk?
Caulk is a flexible, waterproof material that is used to seal leaks and cracks in structures like windows, doors, plumbing, and pipes. It can also be used for various kitchen and bathroom renovation projects. It is typically composed of latex and acrylic, allowing it to shrink once it is dried.
Benefits of Caulk
Caulk has many uses for projects around your home, and with those uses come several benefits as well. Some of them include:
- Energy efficiency. Sealing up leaks with caulk keeps out moisture and air. This reduces heat and energy bills, as well as the carbon footprint of your home.
- Affordable. Caulk can be very inexpensive, costing as little as $3 a tube.
- Keeps bugs out. Insects can get into your home through small gaps in the trim of your windows and doors. Filling those gaps can trap the bugs outside and save you the money it would take to hire an exterminator.
Window Caulking Step-by-Step
Caulking is a fairly easy project to do yourself if you follow these basic steps:
1. Buy The Right Type Of Caulk For Your Project
Caulk comes in a few different types, including silicone (heat resistant), acrylic latex (interiors), and polyurethane (bonds materials together). For exterior windows, silicone caulk is preferred, while latex caulk is best suited for use around indoor door and window frames, as well as for small cracks.
2. Make Sure The Area Is Dry
If you try to caulk over a wet area, it will seal in that moisture and make it less effective. For the best results, seal your windows during a warm, dry day with low humidity.
3. Prepare The Area
Good preparation is essential to achieve a long-lasting caulk job. Start by scraping away old caulk and glaze. Then, wash and dry the surface to get rid of any excess materials.
4. Apply New Caulk
When applying new caulk, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Hold the gun at a 45-degree angle. This will come in handy with more hard-to-reach places.
- Use steady pressure. Using two hands to control the caulking gun will make sure that it comes out in a straight, continuous stream.
- Smooth down the bead. The bead is the line of caulk. You can do this either with your finger, the back of a spoon, or a spatula.
- Wait for it to fully dry. Do not disturb the caulk while it is drying, or else it will not be set correctly. This can take as long as 15 hours.
When Caulk isn’t Enough
If the caulk isn't enough to prevent air leakage, consider installing new windows. At The Window Depot, we can get you set up with a brand new set of windows or doors to replace the old ones. We offer competitive prices and inventory, along with excellent customer service.