Best Caulk for Cedar Siding: Top 5 Picks Reviews in 2024

While as a DIYer you might be obsessing about your caulking skill, truth be told, that will not matter if you don’t have the right caulk.

Caulk is the durable, waterproof paste that's used as a sealant in joints and gaps to keep dirt, pests, moisture, and exterior air at bay. It is great for sealing a wide range of places around the house, from doors and windows to bathtubs and siding.

The best caulk for cedar siding has unique properties that keep it looking great and structurally intact for a long time. It performs excellently for shutting out the moisture during heavy rains and bars pests and mold from gaining a stronghold. Also, it is versatile so that you can use it for windows, sinks, and other areas in and around the house.

Read on for the market’s top products as well as my buying guide, which will come in handy when choosing.

Top 5 Best Caulk for Cedar Siding In 2020

1. Red Devil 077010 Acrylic Latex Sealant, Cedar, 10.1 Oz

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Being in operation since the 1870s, Red Devil is a brand with a remarkable experience in hardware. Professionals and DIYers alike look to it as the brand of choice when it comes to caulk.

If you’re in the market for the best exterior caulk for cedar siding, you will appreciate what the Red Devil 077010 has to offer. This is a high-performance formula that comes in a 10.1-oz bottle. It dries in just an hour and serves for up to 35 years.

One of the main reasons why consumers go for this product is the ease of application. It is a rather thin substance during application. That makes it go into the cracks seamlessly with a little push of the gun.

As a DIYer, you might agree there are lots of sealing needs around the house. Not just siding. That means when looking for caulk, the most appropriate product would be one that is versatile. This is one of the aspects that make the product great. You will be amazed at the number of substrates you can use it on.

You can use the caulk virtually everywhere. On siding, sinks, trims, bathtubs, door and window frames, and more.

When you apply caulk, you expect it to adhere and stay put for a long time. In that regard, you won’t be disappointed. This is an elastomeric latex formula that attaches with incredible strength and seals powerfully. It will not shrink or crack and in addition, you can clean it or paint over it.

For a high-performance, durable caulk that you can put on anything, try the Red Devil 077010.

Highlighted Features:

• Dries in an hour
• Adheres to any material from wood and metal to brick and tile
• Can be washed after application
• Can be painted over
• Doesn’t shrink and is extremely durable (up to 35 years)
• Antimicrobial properties against mold and mildew

2. Dap Cedar Acrylic Latex Caulk with Silicone

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If you ask a handyman that has been in business for a while for recommendations on caulk, you’re likely to hear them mention DAP. This is yet another company with a long history, tracing its roots to the 1860s. That’s quite a bit of experience they got right there.

Thus, if you want to buy your caulk from people with an established reputation, DAP would be a great choice.

The Dap Cedar Acrylic Latex Caulk with Silicone is a cartridge with a 10.1-ounce capacity. Why this unit is so popular is that it offers a nice combination of affordability, looks, and longevity.

You can certainly apply it by hand but the caulk works optimally with a gun. Something pretty amazing is that the product is super versatile, and can be applied to multiple substrates including metal, ceramic, stone, glass, and wood.

The longer a sealant takes to dry, the greater the chances of getting ruined. Luckily, this one takes as few as 30 minutes. Can you believe that? In just half an hour, it is dry to the touch.

An extra two hours and the application has cured into a hard seal that is not only water-tight but also resistant to mold and mildew.

How long does it last, you wonder? This is one of the most durable sealants i have come across. It lasts more than 3 decades.

About the customizability, this is a seal you can wash and paint over with virtually any paint out there. The caulk itself comes in various color variations including clear, slate grey, and white.

Highlighted Features:

• Comes in a 10.1-oz cartridge
• Works on wide-ranging materials e.g. metal, wood, and ceramic
• Dries in 30 minutes and cures in 2 hours
• Resistant to mold and mildew
• Super longevity – more than 3 decades

3. Sashco 46090 10.5 oz

Sashco has been providing homeowners with the caulk for over 80 years, during which time it has improved its product tremendously. Today, the Sashco 46090 caulk is some of the best-selling in the market. Let’s see why.

First of all, this product is designed to simulate rough wood, so I’d recommend it for the rough siding. If you need highly-textured caulk, this is it.

This product comes in a 10.5-oz cartridge that works without a hitch with most caulking guns.

The issue with most wood sealants is the sheen. Most of them shine too much and have a color that varies from the wood, making them hard to miss. And as you might agree, easily visible caulk isn't very appealing.

Thankfully, this product’s sheen is low-level, which makes it not attract the eye so much. Additionally, the color blends in smoothly with the wood.

The textured nature wraps up the compatibility with wood, making this caulk a super nice option for a non-conspicuous wood sealant.

Ease of application is another factor that makes this sealant such a popular choice. Though it is textured, it spritzes effortlessly with a gun. It is also easy to smooth with a finger or a tool.

You don't need to wait for ages for the application to dry. I one to four hours, depending on the humidity, the caulk is ready for rain. The product is also durable, holding up for over 30 years.

If you need a caulk that sticks great with minimal failures, then the Sashco 46090 is for you. A little goes a long way and the application is one you can paint on.

Highlighted Features:

• Textured caulk to simulate wood
• Doesn't have a deep sheen, hence hard to notice
• Colors blend in with wood easily
• Easy to apply with a gun and smooth

4. Dap Dynaflex 230, 10.1 oz

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What makes exterior caulk worthy is the ability to provide a waterproof, weatherproof seal. You don’t want caulk that will allow the water to leak when it rains, right?

Concerning these factors, the DAP DYNAFLEX 230 is a product you can depend on. The seal that this product provides will not let the water in and it also keeps snow and the cold at bay with its insulating property.

As you might know, a house undergoes various little changes with time. For instance, siding gaps expand and contract. This affects the applied caulk by either pulling it apart or pushing it together. If the caulk is unable to endure the tension, then you experience issues like cracking and contraction.

The good news is that this product is built to hold up to these movements. With its amazing flexibility, the sealant expands and comes together without cracking or contracting.

Something else I found to be super amazing is the size of gaps this product can seal. Can you imagine it can cover cracks as wide as 2 inches?

Reliable adherence is another great benefit. The caulk grabs the surface with a powerful grip and stays on. The cool thing is that it is able to do that without being too sticky to come out. Actually, it flows easily from the cartridge and forms a perfect bead.

The DAP DYNAFLEX 230 dries to the touch in 2 hours. After the two hours, you can wash it with water and soap and you can also paint it.

Highlighted Features:

• Paintable in just 2 hours
• Can be cleaned with soap and water
• Waterproof and weatherproof
• Resistant to mold and mildew

5. Red Devil Siliconized Acrylic Caulk (Cedar), Pack of 12

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Perhaps you’re looking to buy in bulk rather than purchasing caulk tubes one by one. How about the Red Devil Siliconized Acrylic Caulk pack of 12? Getting this pack is far cheaper than buying the tubes one by one.

Each of the tubes has a capacity of 10.1 ounces. One thing you'll find quite convenient about the product is that a little goes a long way. With 12 cartridges, you can expect to cover the exteriors of a medium-sized house and remain with plenty of caulk.

This caulk, which is specially formulated for cedar, offers an exceedingly tight seal around siding, which ensures any exterior moisture does not get in. Moreover, the seal insulates the house against the cold efficiently.

Are dirt and pests giving you a difficult time? Wondering how to deal with them? This sealant is just the answer needed. It forms such a tight seal that even the littlest of pests like ants and termites cannot find a way in.

Ever used caulk that came off too easily or quickly? It can be rather frustrating and wasteful. But the Red Devil, having lots of stickiness, adheres to the surface without coming off. Thankfully, the product works with a wide assortment of materials from metal and wood to ceramic and glass.

The caulk comes in a range of colors to suit your style. To make it even better, the dry seal is compatible with almost any paint. You can also clean it with water and soap without ruining the seal.

Highlighted Features:

• Can be cleaned with water and soap
• The seal can be painted on
• Caulk adheres strongly and lasts decades
• Sticks to different surfaces
• Resists pest, dirt, and cold

Comparison Chart of Top 5 exterior caulk for wood siding

Cedar Siding Caulk Buying Guide

If your house has siding on the exteriors, caulk is a product you might want to install. It seals the spaces, thereby protecting your home from invasion by pests and keeping the moisture and cold outside. If you’re shopping for the best caulk for cedar siding, here is what to look out for.

Material Choices

Caulk comes in two forms. There's a form that is 100% silicone and another type that is made of other materials such as latex or acrylic mixed with silicone. The later is called siliconized caulk.

Both types of caulk stick well to different surfaces, including wood, fiberglass, stone, porcelain, glass, and more.

That being said, if you’re looking for a more long-lasting job, pure silicone would be the more appropriate option. It beats siliconized caulk in various ways.

First, it has more flexibility, meaning it’s more protected against cracks and contraction with changes in temperature or house movements. Also, it’s more watertight and generally lasts longer by as much as a decade.

Siliconized caulk also has various benefits over its counterpart.

First, it takes paint more readily, unlike pure silicone. It is also a lot easier to work with and allows you to make corrections during application as it’s not as sticky as the pure type.

Another great benefit that attracts many folks is that it is less expensive.

Packaging

Regarding packaging, caulk comes in two main options. There are cylindrical cartridges and squeeze tubes.

According to Todays Cave, if yours is a small project of filling only a few gaps, such as around the kitchen sink, there’s no need of getting cartridges. Just go for squeeze tubes. These, you can operate by hand without a tool.

A cartridge is meant for large projects. For instance, when caulking the siding all around the house, you don't want to use squeeze tubes. It's better to get cartridges and load them into a caulking gun. Utilizing a gun to apply caulk in a large project is more practical and less tiring than using squeeze tubes.

Protection from Mildew and Mold

Mold and mildew are two pests that can ruin your caulk job by staining it and causing it to rot. That is why it is imperative to get caulk infused with chemicals such as fungicides and mildewcides to deal with these pests.

Look for caulk that is specifically described as resistant to mildew and mold.

Color Options

Caulk comes in a variety of colors, such as white, brown, cream, grey, and more. There is even a clear variety, which is seen to be quite versatile.

The appropriate color is usually the one that doesn’t contrast with the surface. That means a color that easily blends in with the surface you’re sealing.

Considering siding is mostly white or grey, the most suitable color options are white, grey, and clear.

Apart from the color, paintability is an essential factor to look out for. If the caulk is paintable, that means more color choices for you. 

Drying and Curing Time

If you apply caulk exteriorly and then it rains before the caulk is dry and cured, the job will be ruined. Moreover, caulk that takes too long to dry and cure is more susceptible to contaminants and destruction. For example, someone or something could touch and deform it.

And there’s another consideration. Perhaps you want to paint over the surface a given duration after applying the caulk.

These are some of the reasons why the drying and curing time of the caulk matters.

Different caulks take varying amounts of time to dry. Some dry in as few as 30 minutes and cure in a few hours. Others take days to dry and cure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Caulk Infused With Silicone Better Than Just Latex or Acrylic Caulk?

Ans: Siliconized caulk refers to caulk that has silicone added. The reason why it is better than latex or acrylic without silicone is that it has greater levels of flexibility, durability, and water tightness. Pure silicone caulk is even better with regard to these factors, but it is less paintable and more expensive, which makes some people prefer siliconized caulk.

2. Is Pure Silicone Caulk Easy to Use?

Ans: If ease of use is very important to you, pure silicone caulk is not for you. It is rather hard to apply and smooth. Siliconized caulk, in contrast, is quite easy to use. Smoothing it out is a breeze and it is also less sticky.

3. Can I Apply Caulk Without Removing the Old Caulk?

Ans: As long as there’s no oil lingering, the fresh caulk will adhere. When applying new caulk, be sure to make the bead wider, so that both sides of the uncaulked surfaces are covered.

4. How Will I Know that the Caulk has Cured?

Ans: Different models of caulk take varying durations to cure. Note that dry does not mean cured. Caulk is cured when it is not only dry to the touch but set enough to withstand environmental elements such as rain and pressure. Most caulks take a day to several days to cure.

5. How Long does Siding Caulk Last?

Ans: Durability depends on a few factors. For instance, pure silicone caulk can last more than 40 years while siliconized caulk lasts 20 to 40 years. Check the packaging for information on how long your caulk is expected to last.

Final Thoughts

Don’t be surprised that all the products in the list above contain silicone. This agent makes the best caulk for cedar siding as it makes the product watertight and durable. The reason why I chose siliconized and not pure silicone is that it offers ease of use and is paintable and cheaper.

With any of the products in the review, you have the option of customizing the look by painting. That said, I did my best to include products that come in a range of color options to suit your needs. Whether you want to caulk cedar siding or other places in or around your home, you'll find these products quite useful as they're all versatile.

For the optimized combination of ease of use, quick drying time, and many color options, I'd encourage you to go for Dap Cedar Acrylic Latex Caulk, which comes in second up there. And if you want something that will blend in with wood perfectly and not raise any eyebrows, the textured Sashco might be just what you need.

Over to you. Go through each and see which one suits your needs.