Window Caulking

[dback42]

What's the best stuff to use on a slanted skylight window outdoors, Mono Ultra?

[Evil Techie]

What's the best stuff to use on a slanted skylight window outdoors, Mono Ultra?

learn how to spell please
its spelled "caulking" not "cocking" lol

there are also many types of caulking material
this page explains the pros and cons of each of them
http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/consumered/heg157.htm

if window is not fixed and can be opened, then you should also consider weather stripping

[Audiogenic]

The best caulking silicone is by G.E. (General Electric) which is the choice of numerous contractors because it lasts up to 10 years but it does cost more ($9-$12 a tube).

[Patty]

A couple of window contractors I have spoken to in the past use polyurethane caulk. They say it is the best and swear by it.

[FastFokker]

Dap

http://www.dap.com/products.aspx?subcatid=5

[galanz]

Whichever brand you get be sure to check the best before date.
I bought some GE stuff from Rona last week and it was half cured already. The best before date was cut off on the bottom.

[dback42]

I don't see a best before date on Mono Ultra: J/5 5127553

[FastFokker]

Whichever brand you get be sure to check the best before date.
I bought some GE stuff from Rona last week and it was half cured already. The best before date was cut off on the bottom.
Take it back and get a refund or replacement. That kind of shifty business practice is unacceptable.

[dback42]

GE Silicone II was recommended at RONA whereas Mono Ultra was pushed at Home Depot, what's the difference?

I was told Mulco Flextra thermoplastic can be used in any temperature, has anybody had any experience with this product?

[mlc2000]

Check out this video, it may help

Video (http://www.dumpalink.com/media/1133695254/SNL_Caulking)

[Evil Techie]

ahahaha nice video
perhaps this could be moved to Home and Garden forum to get more attention

what kind of climate are you in?
are you in Ontario or BC or where abouts in Canada?

if your house experiences severe winter, use the best silicone products you can find

for polyurethane, u have to paint it to protect it from UV rays if using it for exterior

[CheapScotsman]

I've been doing heavy home renovations for too long ... and for most caulking jobs have boiled it down to two ... then I found this site which matches my personal preferences exactly.

You won't go wrong ... http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/caulk.htm

If your skylight isn't terribly visible, I'd go with the Silicone II

[stevethewheel]

I've been doing heavy home renovations for too long ... and for most caulking jobs have boiled it down to two ... then I found this site which matches my personal preferences exactly.

You won't go wrong ... http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/caulk.htm

If your skylight isn't terribly visible, I'd go with the Silicone II

Matches my experience. Could never figure out why GE can't make the best caulking for both conditions, and DAP can't either.

[fakishan]

They are pretty much the same quality, they waranties don't mean jack. The warranty never covers damages done to your home due to bad quality, therefore why do you need a money back on 5-10$ ???.

Forget the 10-20 year warranty hype and get whichever KNOWN brand is on sale (Mono, Dap). Always buy the interior/exterior type. For windows, it will be specially marked for that use.

[CheapScotsman]

The GE Silicone II will perform better but it is silicone, a mess to use (setup a 1/8" or whatever gap between strips of masking tape; lay the silicone in between and use latex/vinyl gloves to tool it into place) and it is non paintable

The DAP is 100% latex (cleanup in water) and paintable but I notice that in some places where I haven't painted it, it has discolored (or picked up the "dirt"). I also suspect that it won't perform as well in bathrooms (really high humidity, inside showers, etc) as the Silicone II.

but, between the two of them, you have all the caulk you will need for 98% of all jobs.

[redac]

Old thread... but why hasn't anyone mentioned Tremco Dymonic? It has good resistance to UV and stays flexible for years.

Architects typically spec this out for commercial jobs (i.e. offices/condos etc) and from my experience, this is the best stuff.

http://www.tremcosealants.com/fileshare/pds/Dymonic%20DS%20English.pdf

You'll need to get it from a contractor supply store though (i.e.not available from Home Depot)

I use it for exterior windows/doors and the GE Silicone II for showers/tubs.

[Frameboy]

Dap

http://www.dap.com/products.aspx?subcatid=5

I was told by a builder's handy-man to use Dap. I had used GE silicone, as directed by Home Depot... but he said Dap is the stuff to use because you can paint it down the road.

[Si98]

Old thread... but why hasn't anyone mentioned Tremco Dymonic? It has good resistance to UV and stays flexible for years.

Architects typically spec this out for commercial jobs (i.e. offices/condos etc) and from my experience, this is the best stuff.

http://www.tremcosealants.com/fileshare/pds/Dymonic%20DS%20English.pdf

You'll need to get it from a contractor supply store though (i.e.not available from Home Depot)

I use it for exterior windows/doors and the GE Silicone II for showers/tubs.

I've never heard of Tremco Dymonic until I called my builder a few weeks ago and inquired what they used on my house. Not too many places sell this product so its understandable that the general public is not aware of its existence. Warning, this stuff is really sticky and can get messy like silicone.

[branat]

I have to caulk the windows tomorrow, expected temperature is 9 degree. How do I make a small straight line? My past caulking experience was a big mess. I tried tools etc. and the results were the same. Ugly and messy.

[redac]

I have to caulk the windows tomorrow, expected temperature is 9 degree. How do I make a small straight line? My past caulking experience was a big mess. I tried tools etc. and the results were the same. Ugly and messy.

Tape both sides of the joint, tool and then remove the tape.

Depending on the product you use, there may be some guidelines for application in cold weather -- Tremco's advice here:

http://www.tremcosealants.com/fileshare/instructions/COLDWEATHERproduct.pdf

[redac]

I've never heard of Tremco Dymonic until I called my builder a few weeks ago and inquired what they used on my house. Not too many places sell this product so its understandable that the general public is not aware of its existence. Warning, this stuff is really sticky and can get messy like silicone.

As mentioned, this is something that is typically spec'd out for industrial and commercial applications. It is indeed stickier than Mono Ultra (Mono Ultra is actually quite easy to apply) but it does last a long long time.

Typically not available at the big box stores but worth searching for IMO.

[windowboy]

I have ordered new windows for my house. On the contract I had it written that Tremco caulking 834 would be used on the exterior. When the installer came over to do the final measurements, he said he uses Mulco Supra Expert Thermoplastic sealant for professional users made by Mulco Inc in Montreal. It is bubble-free. He said it is better than the caulking I had asked for and it does not have ruts or channels in it when it dries. Is he telling me the truth and is it better than Tremco. I had 4 types of caulking that I was told were the best ones to use. Tremco was one of them and I was told by the company I bought my windows from that Tremco was a choice I could make. Later when I looked at my notes, I also noticed that Supra was one of the four caulking I had on my list. Would appreciate any feedback on this.

[Quick_lude]

Supra by Mulco is a very good product, much better than anything you can buy at HD. Rona carries it at about $6.50 per tube. It is indeed bubble free, I use it all the time for door and porch enclosure installations.
A tip, when you apply it and need to work it with a finger, dip the finger in clear dishwashing liquid soap, it won't stick.

[redac]

I have ordered new windows for my house. On the contract I had it written that Tremco caulking 834 would be used on the exterior. When the installer came over to do the final measurements, he said he uses Mulco Supra Expert Thermoplastic sealant for professional users made by Mulco Inc in Montreal. It is bubble-free. He said it is better than the caulking I had asked for and it does not have ruts or channels in it when it dries. Is he telling me the truth and is it better than Tremco. I had 4 types of caulking that I was told were the best ones to use. Tremco was one of them and I was told by the company I bought my windows from that Tremco was a choice I could make. Later when I looked at my notes, I also noticed that Supra was one of the four caulking I had on my list. Would appreciate any feedback on this.

Not all tremco products are the same. I mentioned dymonic because it has worked exceptionally well for me. We had a lot of exterior doors/windows done 13 years ago and the caulking is still holding up great. For some window replacements, the installer used something else (I believe it was also a tremco product) but it is all hard and starting to crack.

Can't help you with Mulco as I have never tried it but ask around and see how good the product is after it has been installed for a long time.

I used mono ultra on a building a built back in 2006 and it is still holding strong. (though not really a long term test)

[windowboy]

Supra by Mulco is a very good product, much better than anything you can buy at HD. Rona carries it at about $6.50 per tube. It is indeed bubble free, I use it all the time for door and porch enclosure installations.
A tip, when you apply it and need to work it with a finger, dip the finger in clear dishwashing liquid soap, it won't stick.

Thank you for the feedback Quick_lude. The window installer told me that you cannot buy Mulco Supra Expert in stores. One reason why I wanted to use Tremco is I had someone who worked for Tremco and would supply me caulking for free that window installers cannot get. Is Mulco Supra Expert also good for using on windows? I have all kinds of Tremco at home including mono ultra. I will not be applying the caulking on the windows, but I have applied some Tremco mono ultra for the threshold of my front door and I am thinking of using it for my patio doors and other areas. I was given DAP Premium Polyurethane Adhesive Sealant to use for my bath tub. It has a 50 year durability guarantee.

[branat]

Tape both sides of the joint, tool and then remove the tape.

Depending on the product you use, there may be some guidelines for application in cold weather -- Tremco's advice here:

http://www.tremcosealants.com/fileshare/instructions/COLDWEATHERproduct.pdf

I used the DAP, acrylic latex with silicone, this time and there was a little mess. I was able to feather the edges so they blended in with the windows. I was not able to do it with the other type.

[adanac7152]

For caulking Dymonic is the best and most expensive and I don't think you will find it in a big box store. Silicone will generaly be better than caulking and more expensive. Home Depot, Rona etc. sell mostly mid to low range sealents you need to go to where contractors buy like CDS theres one in Mississauga as well as other locations in the GTA.

[Quick_lude]

Thank you for the feedback Quick_lude. The window installer told me that you cannot buy Mulco Supra Expert in stores. .
Rona carries Mulco "Flextra", not sure how different it is from the Supra Expert but when I buy it in an emergency it looks and feels the same.

Otherwise yes, you will need to locate a contractor supply store to buy the Supra.

[redac]

For caulking Dymonic is the best and most expensive and I don't think you will find it in a big box store. Silicone will generaly be better than caulking and more expensive. Home Depot, Rona etc. sell mostly mid to low range sealents you need to go to where contractors buy like CDS theres one in Mississauga as well as other locations in the GTA.


Used dymonic last week in the cold weather and checked on it today and it's perfect so far.