There are many different types of caulk that have Pro’s and Con’s for many different purposes.  In this table, we try to break it down.

This is a generalised summary of different products of a few manufacturers products.  Check the product information of your product to verify.

Type in the title row to filter out the other rows to make an easy comparison between all the different types of caulk.

TYPES OF CAULK

SILICONISED
ACRYLIC

FIRE- RATED
ACRYLIC

POLYURETHANE
(ONE-PART)

ACETOXY
SILICON
(ACETIC ACID)

SILICON
NEUTRAL
CURE

SILICON
NEUTRAL
CURE
(SANITARY GRADE)

Ease of Use

Relatively easy to tool & clean up

Relatively easy to tool & clean up

Harder to apply and “stringy”

Easy to tool, but leaches into porous

Easy to tool and use

Easy to tool and use

Tooling Time

15 minutes

15 minutes

10 minutes

5 minutes

5 minutes

5 minutes

Clean up with

Water immediately

Water immediately

Mineral Turpentine.
Cured material may be cut and removed

Mineral Turpentine

Mineral Turpentine

Mineral Turpentine

Solvent

Water-based

Water based

Oil-based

Oil-based

Oil-based

Oil-based

Paintable (after full cure) None of these Caulk materials are Sandable

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Mould/Mildew Resistant

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

Durability

Interior & Exterior

Interior & Exterior (exterior use must be protected from the elements)

More durable. Interior & Exterior

Interior ONLY

Interior & Exterior

Interior ONLY

Toxicity

Less toxic than polyurethane

Less toxic than polyurethane

Somewhat toxic;
Not recommended for use around intake ducts or ventilation grilles

Strong odour, recommended for drying stage only

Low odour

Low odour

Flexibility/Shrinkage

Shrinkage upon curing (up to 28%) Flexible ±20%

Flexible ±20%

More flexible. Flexible ±25%

Flexible ±20%

Flexible ±20%

Flexible ±20%

UV Stability

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Water resistance

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes
(good for weather-proofing)

Yes. Recommended for use in damp and steamy areas

Dry Time to Touch @ 25°C and 55% RH

Approx 25 mins

Approx 25 mins

6 to 12 hours. Tack free time 2 hours

8-10 minutes.

8-10 minutes

8-10 minutes

Dry Time @ 25°C and 55% RH

Full cure achieved after 7 days (depending on size of joint)

Full cure achieved after 7 days (depending on size of joint)

1 to 10 days (approx. 2-3mm/day)

24 hours

5-7 days (10mm)

5-7 days (10mm)

Problematic applications

Not to be used for joints subjected to temporary or permanent immersion in water.
Not for use in joints subjected to foot or vehicular traffic.
Do not apply below 5°C or if temperature exceeds 35°C.

Not recommended for use in areas of high humidity or presence of free water during application or initial cure.
Do not apply when rain exposure is likely within 24 hours of application.

Harder to apply and tool off, not recommended for internal areas.

Not to be used on porous surfaces.
Can be corrosive to certain substrates and metals.

Not mould/mildew resistant.
Not recommended for wet areas.
Not to be used for joints subjected to permanent water immersion.

Not for use on polycarbonate plastic sheeting.

Uses

Perimeter sealing of door and window frames.

Acoustically rated:
• Sealing construction joints and penetrations in acoustic partitions and walls.
• Used as a putty for filling holes in fire rated substrates.
• Perimeter sealing of door and window frames.
• Fire-rating of cable tray penetrations.

• Construction and expansion joints.
• Curtain walls, external walls and window frames.
• Sandstone, Limestone and external paving.
• Aluca Bond.
• Holes and Gaps which can then be rendered over.

Cabinetry, wood skirting, internal window frames to sills, all internal gaps that require no painting and finishing touch.
Not recommened for wet areas.

Cabinetry, wood skirting, internal window frames to sills, all internal gaps that require no painting and finishing touch.

Bathtubs and shower joints, kitchen splashbacks, bathroom and laundry counter tops, wet area tile joints. Avoid heavy chemicals.