What Kind of Caulk to Use for Wood Basements?

General Purpose Caulk

• Usually created out of an acrylic base, general-purpose caulks are used with most types of wood wherever it meets another type of material or even wood on wood. They are the cheapest type caulk available at local home improvement stores and are used in any area where heavy water isn’t expected. As long as your basement is reasonably dry, you can use these caulk types.

Silicone Caulks

• Silicone caulks are heavy duty. They are generally reserved for areas that see a lot of moisture, such as basements in moist soils or homes that are in high humidity climates. While they sometimes come with colors, most silicone caulks are clear and are used for anywhere wood meets wood or other materials. They are most common as an installation or behind-the-scenes caulk.

Latex Acrylic Caulks

• A step up from the generic acrylic caulks, latex acrylic hybrids are beefed-up acrylics with latex added. They are rated for use in wet areas. While most commonly used for tile installations in places such as in showers, they are also used in wood areas in basements. They hold up fairly well and last 20 to 25 years in the right conditions. However, arid climates dry these caulks and cause cracking.

Polyurethane Caulks

• Another heavy-duty option, polyurethane caulks are a special blend of components meant to withstand high temperatures, excessive movement, water and climate changes. They are a counterpart to silicone and unlike the normally clear cousin, they are available in a variety of colors and used as a finish caulk.