Color Choicesīoth pure silicone and siliconized latex caulk are sold in a variety of colors, including clear, white, cream, and brown. ![]() Most pure silicone and siliconized latex/acrylic caulks are formulated with mildewcides and fungicides (chemicals that destroy mildew or fungus, respectively) to minimize the formation of stain-causing mildew or mold on the caulk.įor a rot-proof caulk job, check the packaging for the terms “for bath,” “mildew-proof,” or “mold-proof,” along with the number of years the caulk can be expected to hold up to mildew and mold. The caulk can easily be applied by hand with a simple squeeze of the tube, but it has a smaller coverage area because there’s less of it by volume. Squeeze tubes are better for small-scale projects, such as filling a crack in the shower floor. But they must be loaded into a caulking gun and dispensed by pressing down on the gun’s trigger. Generally, cartridges are suited for large caulking jobs, such as sealing the perimeter of a tub, as they contain more caulk by volume and afford more precise application. But it’s less moisture resistant and more likely to crack with thermal expansion, so a caulk job will be more short lived (30 to 40 years).Ĭaulk is sold in small squeeze tubes or large cylindrical cartridges, each type suited for different scale projects and requiring a unique application. Siliconized latex/acrylic caulk, on the other hand, is easier to apply and correct than sticky pure silicone, which can be a real pain if you make a mistake during application.However, it doesn’t take paint well and is about 10 percent more expensive than the alternative. It’s more waterproof and flexible, so it better resists rot, rarely cracks with thermal expansion (when the shower or tub material expands or contracts with temperature changes), and lasts longer (40 or more years). Choose pure silicone for a more durable caulk job that won’t come in contact with paint afterward.Photo: Tom Scalisi What to Consider When Buying the Best Caulk for Showers and TubsĬaulk made of pure silicone or siliconized latex/acrylic (i.e., latex or acrylic caulk with added silicone) adheres well to common shower and tub materials, including porcelain, ceramic, stone, fiberglass, and glass. DAP INC 18152/11440 10.1oz White Alex Plus Caulk.ALSO CONSIDER: Loctite Polyseamseal Acrylic Caulk with Silicone.BEST FOR SEAMS: DAP Kwik Seal Ultra White Advanced Siliconized Caulk.BEST PAINTABLE: Red Devil 0406 Duraguard Kitchen & Bath Caulk.BEST QUICK-DRYING: GE Sealants & Adhesives Supreme Silicone Sealant.BEST MILDEW PREVENTION: Mold Armor 5.5 oz.BEST FOR SMALL REPAIRS: GE Advanced Silicone 2 2.8 oz.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: DAP Kwik Seal Plus 10.1 oz.BEST OVERALL: Gorilla Clear 100% Silicone Sealant Caulk, 10 Ounce.Read on for aspects to consider when buying caulk for your bathroom project and see why we find the following products to be some of the best caulk for showers. We performed hands-on testing with the following caulks in order to suggest only top-notch products. With so many kinds of bathroom caulk available, it can be tough to figure out which is the best for your situation. The best caulk for the shower or tub has special properties that keep it pristine and structurally intact in the unique environment of the bathroom. To defend your shower or tub against these threats, the garden-variety latex caulk commonly used on drywall, window frames, and wooden doors simply won’t cut it. ![]() This viscous, waterproof paste is primarily used to seal joints where two surfaces meet (e.g., where the tub meets the wall) or to fill cracks (which commonly crop up in the shower floor) to keep out air, moisture, and dirt. While DIYers can obsess about caulking technique, the truth is that laying down the perfect bead will do little good if you don’t use the right caulk for the job.
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