Best Caulk

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pochaev
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Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:38 pm

Best Caulk

#1 Post by pochaev »

I will be installing some white vinyl replacement windows on my own. What is the best caulk to use and where can it be purchased? I live in the Midwest. Thanks!

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Window4U (IL)
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Location: Sales and Installation in Chicagoland and Central Illinois

Re: Best Caulk

#2 Post by Window4U (IL) »

Home Depot sells OSI Quad caulking which many window pros use.
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TheWindowNerd
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Re: Best Caulk

#3 Post by TheWindowNerd »

I would not use quad on the interior due to the oder, it is fine for ext. or a med. grade silicone. For the interior I would use a siliconized latex.

windowdude
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Re: Best Caulk

#4 Post by windowdude »

SolarSeal is the best in my book, although you gotta learn to use it and keep your fingers out of it to make it look nice. OSI quad becomes disagreeable when the outside temps get too cold because it sets up quick and kinda tooth-pasty and does not like to be handled if it's cold. But extreme temps aside, I'd say go with Quad or SolarSeal.

pochaev
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Re: Best Caulk

#5 Post by pochaev »

Where can one buy SolarSeal?

windowdude
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Re: Best Caulk

#6 Post by windowdude »

Some lumber yards carry it or you can try their website: http://www.npcsealants.com/

zago

Re: Best Caulk

#7 Post by zago »

there are a few "modified silicones"(hybrids) that are very good. Premier comes to mind.
believe it or not, dynaflex 230 is pretty good for the interior.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Best Caulk

#8 Post by Windows on Washington »

Premier is decent stuff too.

zago...where are you located?

pochaev
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Re: Best Caulk

#9 Post by pochaev »

So I should use one type of caulk on the inside of the house and another type of caulk on the outside of the house?

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Best Caulk

#10 Post by Windows on Washington »

Depending on the VOC content, yes.

Quad cannot be used on the inside of the house unless you like sniffing glue. Other, more VOC compliant formulas, can be used both inside and outside the home.

TheWindowNerd
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Re: Best Caulk

#11 Post by TheWindowNerd »

Yep, see my previous post.

fenestrationman
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Re: Best Caulk

#12 Post by fenestrationman »

My recommendation is to contact the manufacturer of the fenestration product. Some have their own private label on sealants, but are more than happy to tell you who manufactures it.
If you have a sealant that you are comfortable with, I would conduct some adhesion/compatability tests on it. Take some materials that you encounter on a regular basis and apply some of your sealant. Let is cure and see if it adhears. Also check for discoloration, lack of set up time etc. This may be telling you that it is incomapatable with one or more of the builfing/window components. Refer to the tube for curing times.

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