Caulking Stained Wood Siding

The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked.

Caulking stained wood siding.

If your molding is stained white caulking would cheapen the finish and diminish the value of the work. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. When used on bare wood silicone can be deadly and destructive. Most lap siding has four to eight inches of board exposed with a smaller amount of exposed wood creating a more expensive look on the home.

Also avoid caulking tongue and groove siding boards together. Caulking windows to give them a finished look inside and out and seal out leaks and drafts is a fairly common diy task. Placing caulk over large portions of wood siding prohibits the natural movement of the wooden panels and can cause extensive damage to the exterior. There are specific caulk types for bathrooms kitchens concrete gutters moulding roof windows plumbing interior and exterior jobs and more.

As homeowners with this kind of siding know wood naturally expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature and precipitation. After all the you want your caulk to have great adhesion and flexibility so it will seal things up for a long time. The best exterior caulk for roofing construction and repairs since it can withstand extreme temperatures and creates a strong insulating and water tight seal. Choosing the right type and application doesn t have to be confusing and with the right information caulking can be an easy diy project.

It is important to note that with lap siding the wood will need to be painted or stained periodically and caulking has to be completed to reduce any damage from the weather. Siding nails should not be caulked another item that needs room to play is siding boards themselves. Silicone wood bad news. Metal flashing or any metal to wood joint should not be caulked another water exit pathway that should never be sealed.

It grabs on tenaciously which you might think is a good thing right. If your molding is painted white caulking with white caulk is all that s necessary for a perfect finish. But if done incorrectly it can lend a sloppy amateurish look. The best option in the case of stained wood molding is to stain the caulk to match the wood.