Can You Caulk Flooring?

Silicone Caulk

• Silicone caulking is one of the most durable, all-purpose caulkings you can purchase. Silicone caulk usually lasts around 25 years if proper maintenance is upheld, and it can be used to adhere to a variety of substrates, such as glass, metal, concrete and wood. Silicones are fillers more than adhesives and are meant to be the transition point at inside corners to prevent moisture seepage.

Acrylic Caulk

• The most common type of caulking used for ceramic tile installations is acrylic caulk. It is easy to clean up, easy to apply and lasts for around 15 years if the caulk and surrounding grout are properly maintained over the years. It is sold at any home improvement store and comes in a large array of colors, allowing you to match any type of ceramic tile or natural stone floor you need to caulk.

Latex Caulk

• Latex caulks can be used similarly to acrylic caulks, although they tend to have more elasticity and a slightly longer lifespan. While silicone caulking is clear and UV resistant, latex caulks are either base black, white or a colored type and have no UV resistance, which means their colors can fade under direct sunlight. You can caulk vinyl and VCT flooring, along with ceramic tiles, with latex caulk.

Urethane Caulk

• A favorite choice for wood floor installations, adhesive caulks are also known as urethane caulks. They are specifically designed for adhesion purposes and are used between the boards in a wood floor as well as underneath floor materials such as vinyl tiles. You can also use urethane caulks for block work, bricks, concrete, glass and metal, making it an all-purpose caulk.