Should I Caulk Around Vinyl Windows

I have a newer house with vinyl window in it on the outside i have cider trim around all the windows that have a dime thickness gap or smaller all the way around all the windows nothing has ever leaked or had water damage is it recommended to caulk the gap or not.

Should i caulk around vinyl windows. Caulking around vinyl windows. I got relatively new vinyl windows. For long lasting protection around your windows choose a high quality caulk made from silicone or polyurethane. It s that time of year again.

It is also commonly found in hardware stores. 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. Special concerns for replacement windows. The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked.

And i m curious do i caulk between the j channel and the window frame on the outside. No i don t mean the time of year when you should do those things. Also avoid caulking tongue and groove siding boards together. Siding nails should not be caulked another item that needs room to play is siding boards themselves.

If caulk comes out of a crack use a putty knife or screwdriver to push it back in. But if done incorrectly it can lend a sloppy amateurish look. Metal flashing or any metal to wood joint should not be caulked another water exit pathway that should never be sealed. Rmc3inspection rmc3inspection april 25 2019 11 32am 1.

Replacement windows are typically well sealed so interior caulking is often optional. Should you caulk around the outer edge of a vinyl window where it over laps the cement fiber siding even thought the window has a built in j channel. 100 silicone caulk or a mix of silicone and latex is waterproof flexible shrink proof and will last over 20 years. Nah it s not necessary.

I mean it s the time of year when all the news stories that include this ineffective advice start appearing. Caulking windows to give them a finished look inside and out and seal out leaks and drafts is a fairly common diy task. Instead homeowners should pay attention to sealant is around the frame where the window fits into the wall opening. When it comes to caulk you get what you pay for.

In addition caulking window frames you may want to caulk around doors dryer vents plumbing lines and wires that lead outside and exhaust vents.