Before sealing the surfaces around your house, you have to consider the best caulk color that won’t show. You can use white or clear caulk. But choosing between clear vs. white caulk is never easy since not all can give the best results on all the surfaces.
The clear caulk is a good choice when you want to seal off surfaces without the caulk line showing. White caulk helps reduce water leakage and insulate the surfaces, making them durable. Clear caulk best works on showers and kitchen sink tiles or anywhere you want to maintain the surface’s aesthetic without painting. However, white caulk to seal the gaps on the roofing, woodwork, or baseboards to prevent water leaks.
If you plan on sealing off the surfaces around your home, this guide will help you choose the best caulk to use between clear and white caulk.
Clear Caulk Vs. White Caulk
It would be best if you used clear and white caulk in certain places to get the best results.
Places To Use Clear Caulk
You should use clear caulk on surfaces where you intend to retain the original attractive appearance. The clear caulk will make such surfaces durable without the need for repairs.
The best places to use clear caulk include;
- Window and door frames
- Ventilation
- Pipes
- Air conditioning units
- Skylights
- Downspouts
- Stone/tile gaps
Note that you should use a clear caulk on areas where you’ve no intention of painting.
Places To Use White Caulk
You should use white caulk on surfaces with gaps and cracks to seal them off. White caulk best works on places like;
- sink
- Window and door frames
- Bathroom
- Wood paneling
- Backsplash
- Baseboards
- Trim
You should use white caulk if you intend to paint over it.
Should I Use White or Clear Caulk Around Sink?
The type of caulk you should use on the sink should be able to make the surface waterproof. You can use white caulk on sinks to prevent water leakage and damage to the surfaces around the area. The white caulk will also add aesthetic value to the sink with its exposed bead.
A white caulk will also prevent mold growth, plus it’s flexible and durable. You can also paint white caulk to your favorite color that matches the sink. What’s more, white caulk has less odor, allowing you to use the sink without challenges after application.
What Does Clear Caulk Look Like?
Clear caulk appears clear during and after application. However, some clear caulk brands are white during caulking and then turn clear after drying up. But this is a common occurrence if you’re using latex-based clear caulk. This happens because of water in the latex formula.
Note that if you don’t give clear caulk enough time to dry well, it will have a cloudy white appearance.
What Can Make Clear Caulk Not Turn to Clear?
If you bought a clear caulk, and it fails to turn clear after application, there’s a problem. The major reason for this is if there is a high moisture level between the surface and caulk. This will make the clear caulk not dry well, preventing it from turning clear.
Another reason that can cause this is if the surface where you applied the clear caulk is ever wet. This can be in the kitchen or bathroom. When the area is ever moist, it will prevent your clear caulk from drying clear. A poor environment may also make your clear caulk not dry clear. It could be that room is poorly ventilated or has high temperatures causing the clear caulk dry white.
However, if you also used expired caulk, it will not dry well, making it appear whitish after some time. It’s advisable to remove the caulk if it refuses to turn from white to clear. After that, you should re-caulk the area bearing in mind the moisture content and giving it enough time to dry.
Does White Caulk Dry Clear?
White caulk dries white, so most people use it on surfaces where they don’t tend to paint. Unlike the clear caulk, it helps seal gaps and holes, which leaves the surfaces looking cared for transparent. It also helps compliment the color of the surfaces where you apply it, boosting its aesthetic appeal.
Using white caulk will allow you to notice imperfections, unlike the clear caulk, which will take you time to realize where the leak is.
However, there are instances where white caulk doesn’t maintain it as it dries. For example, if you use white caulk as an indoor or outdoor sealant, it will not retain its original color. This happens because of extreme temperatures, moisture, dirt, or mold.
Bottom Line
The difference between clear and white caulk lies in their appearance after drying and where you can use it. Clear caulk best works on kitchens or bathrooms that are not wet during application. It is also suitable for air conditioning units, tiles, windows, and frame sealing. However, white caulk gives satisfactory results on baseboards, roofing, woodwork, or trims.
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