A. Corresponding editor Paul Fisette responds: Clapboards should be installed tight against the trim boards, and the joints should be left uncaulked. Omitting the caulk allows any water that penetrates the joint to drain reasonably well and promotes drying.

Do you caulk wood lap siding?

If overused or incorrectly placed, siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. As homeowners with this kind of siding know, wood naturally expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature and precipitation.

How do you caulk siding joints?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Keep steady pressure on the gun while moving from top to bottom filling the joint. Be sure to change the angle on the gun to effectively seal the bottom edges of the lap siding.

Should fascia board be caulked?

Wooden window frames usually need more caulk, both where the glass and wood meet, and around the trim, siding and sill. Fascia Boards and Soffits – applying caulk behind fascia and soffit boards is a surefire way to increase their longevity, leading to less maintenance and expense.

How do you caulk exterior wood joints?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And push it forward until it stops I make sure that the cop tube is seated up here. And when I cut the tube for exterior caulking.

How do you fill gaps in wood siding?

Epoxies work well for rotted wood or wood with larger holes, but not for cracked or split wood siding. As the wood siding contracts and expands from moisture give-and-take, the hardened filler will pop out. Flexible caulk is the best product to use on cracked or split siding, but not just any caulk will work.

What is the best caulking for exterior wood?





Polyurethane is one of the best materials to use for sealing the exterior of a home.

Where do you caulk the exterior of a house?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You want to do it between the trim board and siding around windows around doors anywhere where there is a gap that's a quarter inch or less.

Should you seal the bottom of siding?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Okay this is another big exterior siding tip that contractors homeowners and do-it-yourselfers should pay attention to should you caulk use acrylic or silicone caulking.

Can you caulk over exterior caulk?

You can caulk over caulk. Just make sure that the old caulk is dry, clean, and oil and dust-free. Also, apply the new caulk to extend beyond the old, onto clean caulk-free surfaces to which it can adhere. However, for best results, you should remove the old caulk before applying a new caulk.

Should you caulk exterior wood trim?



Yes, wood siding should be caulked. However, do not caulk all the cracks and joints in your wood siding. Instead, take the general approach of caulking most visible gaps while still leaving space for water to escape from your siding.

Can you caulk bare wood?

Do not caulk bare wood surfaces. Caulk adheres best to primed or painted wood. The wood should at least be primed before applying the caulk.

Should you caulk around siding?

The bottom of siding boards should not be caulked



While paint does tend to somewhat glue these pieces together, caulking them is never advised and can cause permanent damage. Also, avoid caulking tongue-and-groove siding boards together.

Is it better to use wood filler or caulk?



You should use caulk to fill gaps or joints between trim pieces and/or drywall. Use wood filler, or spackling, to fill nail holes, dents, and cracks on wood trim. Caulking and filling holes on wood trim takes time. So, don’t try to rush it.

What to use to fill gaps in siding?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Even silicone as long as it's paintable.

Should siding have gaps?

Wherever Hardie siding meets a trim board, the company recommends you leave a 1/8” gap between the siding and the trim and apply a 3/8” bead of approved caulking to protect and seal the edge of the siding.

How do you fill large gaps in exterior wood trim?

Holes in wood trim are best filled with wood filler. Nail holes in exterior surfaces, just as with cracks or gaps, can be dealt with using a good caulking. Take the time before you apply any paint on your next project to fill all of the gaps, cracks, and nail holes.

How do you seal an outside gap?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Common areas include around windows. And doors gaps between doors and door jams. And through wall penetrations to seal those gaps select an exterior grade caulking.

Should I caulk cracks?

Painting cracks – when covering small hairline cracks, caulk can create a paintable layer on the crack within a matter of hours. To seal – windows and other moisture prone areas can be sealed using caulk to prevent gaps for moisture to attack.

How do you seal the side of a house?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Here's one of the main tricks of combing is you have a cardboard box with that way when you stop and start you don't have foam drizzling all over.