10 Best Exterior Caulk for Wood: 2024 Reviews with Buying Guide

Worried about what caulking to use on exterior of house or your exterior wood? No problem, we are here to help you.

You need to be extra careful for exterior caulking as it will have to withstand weather blows and other outdoor complications. For this reason, a flexible caulk that won’t crack but also fill the holes without leaving a spot is essential.

Lucky for you, we have exactly the tool you need for the job. This review consists of the best exterior caulk for wood that you will need. All the products are highly capable of handling exteriors as well as other interiors.

But to buy the finest caulks, you need to know them too, and hence we will also be telling you what to expect of it and what to avoid.

Our Recommended 10 Best Exterior Caulk for Wood in 2020

As this list focuses on exteriors caulks, a lot of the products were chosen, keeping their durability in mind rather than its other miscellaneous uses.

1. Flex Shot Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk

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The biggest advantage of choosing a brand like Flex shot is you don’t need a gun to use their products. No matter which you buy, they will always be usable right off the bat. This is recommended for users who dislike using guns and other holders and want a straightforward caulking tool.

As this doesn’t need to rely on the settings of another device, the moment you see it, you notice it’s bigger than the usual containers. While that itself is a pleasing observation, what is even better is you can find this in four different colors.

Yes, many people still think caulk can only be in white and are put off by it for use against their outdoor surfaces. And for those people, its availability in black, almond, clear and white is a big bonus. So, for wood, we think the almond color is quite pleasant.

But right now, you’re probably asking why we chose this specifically for exterior use? Firstly, this is absolutely waterproof. So, come rain or snow, this will not be affected.

Apart from that, the ingredients this uses are of top grade, and therefore, it doesn’t run or drip when applied in the joints. But once dried off, the material exhibits flexibility and won’t crack under the weather extremities. We can vouch for the flexibility as we have seen the formula being expanded.

One of the main reasons to use caulk is to the growth of mildew. And on that aspect, the almond one is extra resistant to mildew, which makes this perfect for use on wood.

Highlighted Features:

• Doesn’t need a gun
• Is resistant to mildew and water
• Formula is flexible
• Available in 4 different colors

2. Dap 18110 Acrylic Latex Caulk With Silicone

If you were taken aback by the previous caulk’s variabilities, this one would surprise you all the more. This is as good as adhesives get and might even be the best caulk for exterior wood for the range of amazing features this possesses.

First of all, you get lots of it for a very negligible price. Almost weighing 15.5 ounces, this comes at a price lower than $4. And the amount of caulking you can do with it makes it more than satisfactory. But where it gets even better is you can find this in a range of colors.

However, you have to pay a different price for those. The prices vary from product to product. This slate gray, though, is perfect for exterior use as the color doesn’t stand out and takes no attention away from the wood piece. So, you will have no gaps, and it will hardly be noticeable.

Now that you know what you’re getting, let’s look into its other benefits. One of the main reasons we loved this is it takes 30 minutes to be ready for painting. Yes, so if you’re painting your house, and you have noticed holes, don’t worry. Your plans are still in order because you only need half an hour of extra time.

Finally, this is a product that you can trust will last you. Dap has guaranteed an expectation of 35 years, which we think is a pretty good bargain for such a low price.

Highlighted Features:

• Has a subdued slate gray color
• Ready for painting in 30 minutes
• Needs a gun for application
• Lasts for over 35 years

3. Gorilla Clear 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk

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Whether you’re buying glue, tape, or any kind of adhesives, Gorilla is a name you’re familiar with. They are one of the best adhesive and sealant brands out there, and as expected, their caulk enters the rankings.

This sealant is mostly used for sealing up wood and filling up gaps. You can use this on versatile projects and be very happy with the result, as it is pretty much an all-purpose caulk.

But the reason for including this here is it’s just as good on outdoor projects. Unlike sealants that turn yellowish after a few days in the sun, this retains its color.

It won’t look like a dirty lump and maintain its shape and size. That is, it's just as hard to crack or shrink. We love the combination of strength and pliability on this.

Apart from that, the other reason why this will make for great exterior use is, it’s waterproof and mold resistant. So, if you’re facing mildew issues, seal the gaps with this, and rest easy for good.

Furthermore, if you need more places to be sealed, this is up for the task. Be it the kitchen where it's hotter or the bathroom where it’s more humid, this sealant sticks and repels water.

Highlighted Features:

• Repels water and is waterproof
• Doesn’t turn yellowish easily
• Very resistant to molds
• Meant for both outdoor and indoor use

4. GE Sealants & Adhesives GE5000 Advanced Silicone Sealant

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For professional looking finishes, we always recommend brands like GE. They have a wide range of products fitting the needs of your specific job. So, if you’re willing to pay a few extra bucks for a product that comes with the brand value, you can, for sure, find them here.

With that said, we chose this because of its outdoor benefits. This one ticks all the boxes and would be right on top of the best caulk for exterior wood trims list for its freeze and sun proofing features. What this sort of product brings you is more reliability.

It is more UV and weather resistant. That’s why, if you’re looking for long term solutions, you can trust them. On top of that, if you’re someone who lives in a rainy area and all your sealants get washed off, this is exactly what can save you.

As this takes about 30 minutes to prevent the rain from damaging it, you can trust its water withstanding ability. But, that’s also why you have to be extra careful when putting this on and clear off the excess sealants with a cloth to maintain a clean finish.

So, where can you use this?

As we said before, this one is capable of handling rain, heat, and cold, so its uses are unlimited. Seal the trims, window or door sidings, and any wood or metal piece that needs to be filled.

Finally, its 10-year mold protection feature will protect your house from damage as it will firmly stick against the holes at all times.

Highlighted Features:

• Can withstand heat, rain, and cold
• 10-year protection against mildew
• Flexibility and water resistance perfect for trims and sidings
• Works well on wood and metal

5. Sashco 10016 Big Stretch Caulk

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Looking for Sealants for a big project? Then the smaller tubes won’t do it for you. For the best value for money, you need to look at Sashco's big stretch caulks. They are exceptional at making super elastic adhesives.

When testing this, we stretched this hard, but still, it didn’t crack. You can stretch, bend, and compress this as you like, but you still won’t crack this. Hence, this is the permanent solution to properly seal the joints.

If you’ve got windows or doors that you want permanent drafting for, you can use this. Once applied, you can say goodbye to the air leaking inside. But that’s not all; this sealant also comes with UV degrading properties.

Since the material is extra stretchy, it’s super difficult to infiltrate. Which also adds to the soundproofing features this has. And if you live in a noisy neighborhood, you can seal the windows and doors not just airtight but soundproof too.

Another reason to choose this is you can paint over this. While this isn’t acrylic caulk, this is still paintable. 

And for people who avoid caulks in white because they look off-putting on wood, can just paint them over with something more suiting.

Highlighted Features:

• Very elastic and stretchy
• Flexible material that doesn’t crack
• Great for long-term air sealing and soundproofing
• Can paint over the material

6. Red Devil 0777 Acrylic Latex Sealant

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Run by a family, Red Devil always has focused on making its products both for homeowners and professionals. But what sets their products apart is the variety.

They know that for home, you need diverse sealants, and thus, they have come up with this acrylic latex that’s perfect for home maintenance.

The first important thing to notice on this is it can pretty much work with any kind of substrate. Hence, this makes for both outdoor and indoor applications.

For wood, this has extra adhering properties that allow being pasted with painted and unpainted materials.

This means that even if there’s a glossy layer on the surface, it can easily adhere to it. Red Devil also promises lifetime elasticity meaning this caulk won’t lose its flexibility any time soon.

While we can’t vouch for the lifetime promise, while we tested this, we found some truth in their assurances.

The formula is indeed elastic and stretchy, which always makes good sealants. What we did appreciate, though, is, as this uses an acrylic latex, you can get this in a wide variety of colors.

Variations are unique to this brand, like brown, cedar, and tan. These are colors we don’t see often, and were surprised at the same level of quality as the white and clear sealants have. 

Often times, bringing more variety will cause the material to harden over time. But we didn’t see any such tendency in this.

Highlighted Features:

• Applicable on both painted and unpainted wooden piece
• Can be found in unique color variations
• Has an elastic and lasting formula
• Isn’t likely to shrink or snap

7. Loctite PL S20 Polyurethane Self Leveling Concrete Crack Sealant

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To make tough repairs uncomplicated, this crack sealant is your best bet. It comes for a higher price but does a better job than most.

This isn’t a simple gap filler; it’s a proper fixer. It can easily adhere to most surfaces and has a strong formula to hold two parts together with firmness.

The material itself, though, once dried, becomes flexible and rubbery. While this is known for its concrete sealing abilities, it works just as well on wood.

As a sealant, this is one of the best in the business. Its self-leveling feature enables it to do so without needing you to interfere.

Put it on in the gaps, and it will do the rest. But for the best results, you need to remove the excess off.

As a self-leveling compound, this does take extra time to settle properly, so we’d give it a day before you expose it.

But once settled, this will be very durable. As it doesn’t harden, it won’t crack or break. But more importantly, it withstands extreme weather well.

Further, you can get this in grey, which, when used against concrete or wood, will blend nicely. However, for wood, it might stand out a little.

Regardless, this is still the finest grade caulk for holding down and joining wood together. As a caulk with high adhering and sealing abilities, this is right there at the top.

Highlighted Features:

• Strong sealing formula
• Withstands harsh weather
• Self-leveling and blends well
• Can be painted over

8. Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk

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When doing chemical product reviews, not including Gorilla twice is almost impossible because of the sheer types of products they have.

And topped off with their affordable price, it’s hard to compete against. We noticed a unique feature on this. It’s made from 100% silicone.

And if you have ever played with silicone putty, then you’re already aware of its sticky properties. That makes for great sealants.

But more than that, this is also a tough and strong formulation. You can try, but cracking or stretching this apart will require a lot of strength, which is why pure silicone isn’t common but very effective.

The other thing about this sealant we loved is the waterproofing. At the same time, most materials will weaken over a period of time.

Silicone can stand its own for the longest time and prevent water damage. Hence, we recommend this to areas with heavy rainfall and water logging issues.

If you have windows that drip during rain showers, you need the best caulk for exterior wood siding, and that’s exactly what this is.

Further, this is a long-lasting product. So, when applied, this won’t shrink, unlike other adhering lubricants. On top of that, once dried, this turns to a clear color and not the ugly yellow shade.

Highlighted Features:

• Made from 100% silicone
• Adheres easily and seals off window sides
• Tough and doesn’t crack
• Won’t shrink or turn yellow

9. White Lightning W13000010 Painter's Preferred Acrylic Latex Caulk

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White is the best color for caulking, and for those who like to keep it simple, they know the best way to go is with a white acrylic sealant.

And for wood application, this has gained the name painter’s caulk because you can paint over it for the perfect finish.

This is a simple and easy to use white caulk. It is very beginner-friendly, and you only need to see a tutorial or two to learn the procedure. However, when blending with your fingers, be careful because it’s difficult to remove. Hence, we recommend a glove.

But that isn’t a bad thing as it only goes to show how it sticks to the substrate, which is exactly what you need in a caulk. More importantly, you can fill the gaps and seal them with it as you like.

Owing to the formula, there’s a very little substrate that this doesn’t adhere to. Hence, if you have multiple projects that need caulking, go for this.

Being paintable and a powerful sealing formulation, this can pretty much be used on most surfaces. And if it sticks out, simply paint over it.

Highlighted Features:

• Blends nicely when painted over
• Fills the gap and seals properly
• Easy application but takes time to dry
• Material is stretchy but firm

10. Window & Door All Weather Pro

The final sealant comes from the well-known GE and is regarded by many as the best exterior caulk for wood siding. You already know why GE is a favorite, but what makes this particular caulk one of their finest is its extreme weather resisting feature. And that’s exactly what you want from an outdoor caulk.

Of course, as this is weather-resistant, that also means it can withstand heavy rain too. So, come rain or storm, your window might crack, but this caulk won’t.

Why?

Because it’s also exceedingly flexible. Flexibility is nothing new for sealants or lubricants, but this one can stretch beyond 600% without shrinking.

These are figures you don’t see often. On top of that, it can seal 2-inch gaps without shrinking after drying. Once you have applied enough, it will require no touch-up. But it will all the while maintain its stretchability without hardening up.

Apart from that, it will keep your wood products nice and tidy as it doesn’t stain or let molds stain. This requires a standard gun, and the procedure is also straightforward.

Applying this won’t be any harder than gluing. But you have to wipe off the excess before it sticks together.

Highlighted Features:

• Straightforward gun application
• Stretches beyond 600%
• Doesn’t shrink and fills the gaps tightly
• Withstands extreme weather and mold formations

Exterior Caulk for Wood Comparison Chart

Exterior Caulk for Wood Buying Guide

When buying exterior caulk, one of the first mistakes people make is buying the wrong sealant. There are so many kinds of sealants that you don’t understand, which you need.

For that reason, it’s important to keep in mind what kind of work you’re buying it for and what substrate you wish to use it on.

With that known, there are other factors to keep in mind as you buy the best exterior caulk for wood. So, we will be mentioning them here.

Color

We mention color at first because this review is for wood. With wood, white caulk that isn’t paintable might stand out like a sore thumb. So, even if you’re buying caulks that aren’t paintable, you will do well to buy one that comes in a different shade.

Nowadays, sealants are found in a variety of shades so, keep your options free. But the other choice you have is to buy a paintable caulk. Acrylic latex sealants, for instance, are, in most cases, paintable.

So, depending on the exposure, the wood piece gets and coupling that with your preference, buy the one that best meets your needs.

Type of Caulks

For the usual sealing and filling tasks, the two main types of sealants are latex and silicone caulks.

Latex Caulk

This kind of caulk is easier to apply and peel off. They are also paintable and flexible. And they don’t have much of an odor and can be cleaned regularly. But they are not as flexible as silicone caulks.

Silicone Caulk

They are extremely flexible and stretchable. They can fill up bigger gaps. But most aren’t paintable. Usually, the degree of silicon varies, and thus with it varies the flexibility. They are more lasting but have a stronger odor.

Flexibility

Check the flexibility of the formula as it determines how long the sealant can last. If the sealant isn’t elastic, it is more likely to crack. It can also come off on its own if not flexible enough.

Hardening Time

We call it drying time or hardening time, but in reality, we mean the time it takes to not get washed off. In addition, we are also referring to the prep time it needs to paintable.

When you’re painting the trims or sidings, you’d want them to be sealed properly, and that’s when you need caulks.

Generally, you need to wait a day before you paint over the sealants. But nowadays, you can do both on the same day. Some caulks are even paint ready in 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here we have the most commonly asked queries regarding the best exterior caulks for wood:

1. Is Silicone Caulk Paintable?

Answer: Some are paintable, but pure silicones mostly aren’t. However, they are extremely resilient to UV rays and molds. So, the pure silicones are good for exterior and damp areas.

2. Does Acrylic Latex Crack?

Answer: Although not as much as silicones, latex is still quite flexible, so they don’t crack or shrink. But if you paint over caulk that’s not meant to be painted, then the likelihood of cracking increases.

3. Why does the Caulk Keep on Cracking?

Answer: Cracking could be caused by a number of factors. For instance, the environment is a big factor. Extreme cold or heat can crack even a very good sealant.

Then again, rain can also damage it. If you live in an area with such conditions, you should buy the proper weather-resistant caulk.

4. Is Pure Silicone the Best Kind of Caulk?

Answer: Pure silicone is the most durable and flexible. But they have their flaws too. But if you’re looking for durability, you won’t find a better sealant.

5. Do You Need A Gun to Caulk?

Answer: Most caulking tubes require a gun. But usually, you can find guns of the brand of caulk or use a different one. The tubes come in universal sizes, so fitting isn’t usually a problem.

Final Words

Finally, we would like to mention once again, remember to check whether the caulk needs a gun or is paintable or not. Also, follow the drying instruction on the label because each caulk takes a different time to harden.

And don’t forget to compare the portion you’re getting in each tube. With that said, that’s pretty much all you need to know in order to buy the best exterior caulk for wood products. We hope this review helped you to make the right decision.