Calking on the aluminum capping on the exterior windows

aka · **Joined:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:15 am **Posts:** 2

When you put aluminum capping on the exterior windows on the outside side, do you put caulking on the open side. This is the side away from the window. I have heard one guy say you should not because you want moisture to go out. Can you please advice?

mjvtri · **Joined:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:17 am **Posts:** 3

Generally no but it depends on the application. What type of house do you have (brick, siding, hardieplank)?

aka · **Joined:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:15 am **Posts:** 2

Brick

HomeSealed · **Posted:** Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:46 pm

It does depend on the application, although caulk should ideally be little more than "cya" and aesthetics for water penetration. Proper flashing detail(including the wrap) along with low expansion foam should have the opening completely sealed and managing water properly. Caulking in a place that should not be caulked CAN cause problems.

mjvtri · **Joined:** Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:17 am **Posts:** 3

aka wrote:

Brick

you don't caulk brick to allow the moisture to escape and plus it would look horrible.

Delaware Mike · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:11 am

mjvtri wrote:

aka wrote:

Brick

you don't caulk brick to allow the moisture to escape and plus it would look horrible.

If you don't caulk the capping to the brick and mortar you will have gaps everywhere since not all brick work runs perfectly in a vertical line. Bugs and all kinds of critters will find this attractive to build their nest and condos. Since we don't have actual pictures of your project and statement like "you don't caulk brick and it looks terrible" is ridiculous. When caulking brick most guys will go with something like OSI quad for white or colors since it's a heavier sealant than silicone and tends to be applied in a nicer bead that wouldn't require tooling. Silicone is this application (size bead) especially if it's white or clear will get pretty dirty. For clear I recommend Geocel which stays very clean for a clear hybrid exterior sealant. Regardless, a good looking cap job and install can be wrecked by a bad caulk job!

HomeSealed · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:45 am

Delaware Mike wrote:

If you don't caulk the capping to the brick and mortar you will have gaps everywhere since not all brick work runs perfectly in a vertical line. Bugs and all kinds of critters will find this attractive to build their nest and condos. Since we don't have actual pictures of your project and statement like "you don't caulk brick and it looks terrible" is ridiculous. When caulking brick most guys will go with something like OSI quad for white or colors since it's a heavier sealant than silicone and tends to be applied in a nicer bead that wouldn't require tooling. Silicone is this application (size bead) especially if it's white or clear will get pretty dirty. For clear I recommend Geocel which stays very clean for a clear hybrid exterior sealant. Regardless, a good looking cap job and install can be wrecked by a bad caulk job!

Well said.

Windows on Washington · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:07 pm

+1

Bad caulking is bad caulking but brick should be capped. It is not a water management issue as much as it is a petulance issue.

Don't me wrong, you don't want bulk moisture movement through there, however, the current construction methodology (i.e. brick veneer) does have a drying plane behind it.

anthony · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:24 pm

It should be attractively and well sealed. IMHO

Windows on Washington · **Posted:** Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:45 am

anthony wrote:

It should be attractively and well sealed. IMHO

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Calking on the aluminum capping on the exterior windows

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