Caulking Lap Siding

Whether you are repainting replacing a window or replacing the siding on your house the caulking around the window trim is a very important element.

Caulking lap siding.

Similar to paint previous coats of. When deciding how to use caulk on your siding however it is generally more important to consider where you should not use it. The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked. Caulk by its adhesive nature will try to limit this movement leading to widespread failure and cracking in the caulk over time.

Caulking around windows doors eaves and trim edges gives added insurance that leaks will not occur. 152 4 mm wide 1 in. Is the old caulking removed before new coats are applied. In this instructional video we demonstrate how to use proper caulk techniques on lp smartside products pre finished with diamond kote which recommends dap.

If overused or incorrectly placed siding caulk can cause more damage to your exterior than good. Caulk is by necessity a sticky gooey substance and as such it smudges easily. James hardie also does not recommend applying caulk to the horizontal overlap between siding planks see figure 2. How to caulk the window trim on lap siding.

Joint flashing butt joint horizontal lap treatment june 2014 james hardie does not recommend caulking butt joints or the horizontal overlaps joint flashing 6 in. The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. When you try to restrict either it is at your peril. A diyer or a novice painter might attempt to achieve a cleaner look by caulking the siding nails but the nail is guaranteed to push the caulking material out within a few months.

Think of a wood home as a living thing. Caulking your home s siding is a simple process but not necessarily a foolproof one. It is generally not a good idea to use caulking on wood siding. 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.