A Homeowners Guide on How to Caulk Windows and Doors

It’s very important to make sure that your home is properly sealed. Holes and cracks can account for at least 20% of your home’s energy use. First, you need to inspect all of your windows and doors to make sure they fit snuggly into their frames. Once you’ve checked for proper fit of your windows and doors, begin checking for cracks and holes where air can leak out. You can do this by slowly moving your hand around the frame, feeling for drafty areas. You can also use lit incense sticks and observe the smoke as you move it around the frame, looking for drafty areas. Next, let’s discuss the caulking materials you will use.

Caulking materials – Make sure you purchase a good premium window and door caulking. There are many product manufactures that produce premium caulking, the choice is yours but I prefer using a Dap Dyna Flex 3.0. You can purchase these premium caulks from your local hardware store. You will need to have a good caulking gun, household cleaner, clean rags, putty knife and a razor knife.

Whether you are going to completely re-caulk your windows and doors or just re-caulk specific areas, you will need to start caulking preparation by removing the old caulking. Do this by taking a small putty knife and scraping off all of the existing caulking. If you know that the existing caulk is of the latex type, then you can use a latex remover to soften it. Next you’ll want to clean the surface with a household cleaner and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. Make sure the surface is cleaned, dry and free of dirt and dust. Now that you have the caulking preparation done, it’s time for your caulking application.

First thing you will need to do to get ready for the caulking application is to take the tube of caulking and cut the tip at a 45�° angle at your desired bead size. Take a sharp object like a nail or a thin screwdriver and pierce the inner seal. Insert the tube of caulking into the caulking gun and start applying a bead of caulking to the areas you have prepared. Complete a small section at a time and smooth out the caulking with the tip of your finger or a caulk tooling device. Use water for cleanup or mineral spirits if you are using 100% silicone caulk.

So now that you have read this article on how to caulk windows and doors, you should be able to successfully complete your next caulking project. Make sure you get the correct caulking materials, spend appropriate time on your caulking preparation and take your time and pay close attention to your caulking application. By completing these three steps your caulking project will last for years to come.