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Caulk vs. Silicone

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Recently we told you about filling the gaps around the picture rail in our bedroom with caulk and redoing the seal around our bath with silicone. There is a huge selection of different sealants available and choosing the right one can be difficult.

Silicone vs. Caulk

Hopefully, our quick guide will make choosing the right product a bit easier.

Basically, both acrylic caulk and silicone do the same job but there are some significant differences to take into account when choosing whether silicon or caulk is right for your application.

This post contains affiliate links. We only recommend products we love and think that you will, too! Read our full disclaimer here.

Silicone

Applying Silicone To Edge Of Bath

Pros of silicone:

  • Silicone is highly elastic and will adhere well to any smooth surface
  • Because of its elasticity, any movement in the joint should be tolerated and the silicone won’t tear. That’s why it’s better than acrylic caulk for larger joints.
  • Silicone is ideal for rooms with higher moisture levels (like kitchens and bathrooms) as it is water-resistant
  • It’s ideal for sealing around baths, showers and other sanitary ware
  • It’s cold and heat resistant as well as non-yellowing
  • Silicone is vailable in different colours, including clear
  • In bathrooms only use sanitary silicone, which contains a fungicide to prevent mould

Cons of silicone:

  • You can’t paint over silicone
  • When it’s dry, you can’t apply another layer on top

If you are using silicone for your project, don’t forget to check out this guide on how to apply sillicone.

Get our favourite silicone!

GET OUR FAVOURITE SILICONE HERE

Acrylic Caulk

Clean Caulking

Pros of caulk:

  • Caulk dries quicker than silicone
  • It’s less tolerant to movement than silicone – should only be used in areas where there is little or no movement
  • Caulk is ideal for filling gaps in living areas like between skirting boards, picture rails and built-in furniture
  • You can paint over it with any paints or varnishes
  • While it’s still wet, it can be easily removed with a damp cloth
  • When completely dry, acrylic caulk is much harder than silicone

Cons of caulk:

  • Acrylic caulk tends to shrink slightly when drying, so the application of a second layer may be necessary
  • It’s not for use when in contact with water (i.e. around sanitary ware)

It depends on what you want to do and where you are planning to seal, but as always check the manufacturer’s instructions and check the suitability for your project and any guidelines.

Get our favourite caulk!

GET OUR FAVOURITE CAULK HERE

If you are using caulk for your project, don’t forget to check out this post where we share how to achieve perfectly smooth and clean caulk.

We hope this caulk vs silicone guide makes it easier for you to choose the right product for your next project.

If you found this post helpful, you will love these ones, too!

Bathroom Makeover - Swarf Hardware Myford Handles & DIY Concrete Countertop - Kohler Mica Washbasin & Composed Tap | Little House On The Corner
How To Install a Washbasin and Tap
How To Paint Tiles
How To Attach A Picture Rail
How To Apply Caulk
The Easy and Free Way To Organise Screws and Nails
The Easy and Free Way To Organise Screws and Nails

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Christine 2 Comments

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Comments

  1. Gerry says

    02/11/2016 at 12:15

    Another pro tip they don’t tell you: caulk is for fillings gaps less than 2mm. For larger gaps use filler (because it doesn’t shrink and you can sand it).

    Reply
    • Christine says

      02/11/2016 at 16:05

      Totally agree with you, Gerry! Thanks for sharing. People often think that they can fill anything with caulk but it can quickly become messy.
      Cx

      Reply
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