Caulking Around Windows Exterior Siding Instructions

I mean it s the time of year when all the news stories that include this ineffective advice start appearing.

Caulking around windows exterior siding instructions.

Use around sinks tubs and showers. Time to adjust the size. Siding windows and doors. Very much like coats of paint fresh coats of caulking are formulated to be applied to previous coats and use the previous coat for additional adhesion.

Moreover they are usable on wood trim concrete hardiplank rooftop stucco siding and many other outdoor caulking surfaces. Paintable silicone caulk can be used around the outside of window units to properly seal the window and the siding edge or around the entire door unit. Leave 1 8 gap at trim for caulk. Before caulking your windows start by removing the old caulk from the window frame with a putty knife and cleaning off any dirt debris and old paint.

Unlike the caulking around your bathtub or kitchen sink exterior caulking is not meant to ever come off. Use around the perimeter of windows to help seal the window to the header sill jack stud and jamb. No i don t mean the time of year when you should do those things. But if done incorrectly it can lend a sloppy amateurish look.

However make sure to remove the tape quickly so the caulk can dry in a smooth even line. Hardie no longer recommends the caulking of any joint in their lap siding colorplus or primed. It adheres better than silicone and it doesn t attract dust and dirt the way silicone does. Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur.

This stuff won t dry out in extreme conditions and it sticks to everything. When james hardie siding products butt into wood based materials a 1 8 gap will allow for expansion and contraction of the wood based product. Caulking should be applied in accordance with caulking manufacturers written instructions. Now that you have finished caulking it s important to let the caulk dry 24 hours.

Caulking at butt joints is optional. You can use masking tape around the caulk area to minimize the amount of mess you make. Afterwards press the tip of your caulk gun against 1 corner of the window and squeeze the trigger to apply the caulk in 1 continuous bead until you reach the other corner. It s that time of year again.

There s a lot of bad advice included in those articles but let s just look at why the caulking and weatherstripping advice will provide minimal. It is not possible to remove it without damaging the surface. Dam the new windows pro two has small front.