Caulk Shiplap Siding

Step 7 sand the edges.

Caulk shiplap siding.

For best results use paintable caulk. Step 6 seal with caulk. While paint does tend to somewhat glue these pieces together caulking them is never advised and can cause permanent damage. Smooth and evenly distribute the caulk into the gaps by dragging your finger along the bead of caulk.

Press any excess caulk on your finger into each gap created by the lap siding and then smooth. Use this product for exterior siding outdoor living areas bathrooms exposed to high levels of steam and moisture or any other area where weather or moisture may play a role. When to use caulk on exterior siding siding caulk can be used on several different areas of your exterior siding to help prevent water damage and moisture buildup. Unpainted caulk is impossible to clean and attracts dust.

Run a bead of caulk along the edge of the newly installed shiplap siding. Water is meant to exit through the bottom of each board. Caulk makes the entire project come together and look seamless. Some of the most commonly caulked areas of siding include both corners and crevices as well as some butt joints and window and door trim boards.

The siding expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. Bottom of siding boards should not be caulked. Patch the holes and caulk the cracks installing the planks will leave you with a ton of nail holes plus there will be cracks in the corners along the ceiling and a variety of other places. Smooth out the caulk with your finger or putty knife.

Cut a tiny opening with a utility knife not the cutter on the caulk gun. The process of filling them all is tedious and slow but in my opinion very necessary. Insert the new piece of shiplap siding into the cut out area and nail with concrete covered siding nails. In my opinion caulking between the seams in any lapped siding either horizontal or vertical is not good practice but not just because of any potential vapor barrier effect.

Make the seams as smooth as possible. Also avoid caulking tongue and groove siding boards together. It is specifically designed for exterior siding and is manufactured using recycled materials that are extremely dimensionally stable and resistant to rot and decay.