Seal out winter chills with good-quality caulk

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/10/2006 (7179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WITH autumn’s official arrival, it’s time to start thinking about sealing out winter chills that reduce your comfort and raise energy bills.

Once the rain and snow begin, it’s too late. Caulks and sealant won’t stick to wet surfaces or won’t work properly in cold, damp weather. When you shop, you’ll find caulks and sealant for nearly everything from glass and wood to concrete, stone and metal.

But all you really need is a polyurethane caulk. It sticks to everything, and stays soft and pliable, and best of all, it can be painted. Exterior latex caulk with silicone is another good universal choice, but it isn’t quite as durable or as flexible as polyurethane caulk.

While polyurethane costs more, it also lasts three to four times longer than latex. So to get the most bang for the buck, choose one that does any job needed and lasts longest.

QUESTION: My home from the 1960s has its original single-pane windows. I’d like to replace them, but I can’t find a contractor to do it because of the house’s vinyl siding. What do I do? — Michael.

ANSWER: This job requires a specific kind of contractor, one who has worked on vinyl or aluminum siding. Contractors who have only done wood siding use different tools and techniques to patch siding and trim.

Look in your Yellow Pages under exterior siding to find a contractor who can remove the vinyl siding. You won’t need to remove it all, just around the window trim. That same person can replace the window, a job nearly every contractor can do.

–Associated Press