Caulk The Siding Behind The J

Choosing the right caulk for your siding.

Caulk the siding behind the j.

Caulking can be placed behind the j channel during installation sealing the seam between the j channel and the house wrap also sealing the seam between the j channel and the window itself. Caulking your home s siding is a simple process but not necessarily a foolproof one. Caulking this area the j channel can actually cause water to build up and cause leaks behind the siding. When searching for the right kind of caulk for your exterior siding quality is obviously important as with any home improvement project cheaper does not always mean better.

In addition there are several other factors to keep in mind when choosing the right caulk for your siding. But if done incorrectly it can lend a sloppy amateurish look. The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked. And many homeowners over caulk applying caulk where it doesn t belong and potentially compromising the performance of their siding.

I have had to do quite a few repairs due to this and it is even worse when caulk was applied to j channel applied to a dormer along a roof. Caulking windows to give them a finished look inside and out and seal out leaks and drafts is a fairly common diy task. Wherever hardie siding meets a trim board the company recommends you leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim and apply a 3 8 bead of approved caulking to protect and seal the edge of the siding. And you generally don t have to caulk between the back of the j channel and the side of the window.

A diyer or a novice painter might attempt to achieve a cleaner look by caulking the siding nails but the nail is guaranteed to push the caulking material out within a few months. Many vinyl siding installers do not realize the importance of the house wrap and its job as the sole water barrier because many people incorrectly.