Polyurethane Caulk Not In Stores?

[Bull]

What's the deal with this stuff? I understand that it is superior to silicone and latex caulks. I want some to work on a project this week. Home Depot and Lowes either don't have it or only sell it online. Ace only has it online. Amazon has single tubes, but not cases, and I want a case for the savings.

Is this stuff too new to have caught on? Is it in your local stores?

 

[Real McCoy]

I was at the lumberyard last Thursday and they had it in Almond and White but not black which is what I wanted. I went to Lowes and bought 2 tubes of black. Didn't have a problem finding it here in SC

 

[pauls340]

Polyurethane caulk or Joint Filler is the cheapest product in the industry, at least here in Michigan. Who ever told you it's superior to any silicone is totally mis-leading you. When you put a product into a joint that is 65% solids, 35% of it will evaporate and cause the shrinkage you see in 100% of the jobs out there.....that's my 2cents and I'm sticking to it. Also, I do not rep or sell a silicone caulk.

 

[Bull]

Polyurethane caulk or Joint Filler is the cheapest product in the industry, at least here in Michigan. Who ever told you it's superior to any silicone is totally mis-leading you. When you put a product into a joint that is 65% solids, 35% of it will evaporate and cause the shrinkage you see in 100% of the jobs out there.....that's my 2cents and I'm sticking to it. Also, I do not rep or sell a silicone caulk.

Since I am not qualified to disagree with you, I will leave that to others.

On this site and online I have read that poly caulk is the only way to roll for exterior jobs. No shrinkage and some of these have a fifty year guarantee.

I could be sadly mistaken.

 

[RivennHewn]

This is the ****.

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=sikaflex sealant&rh=i:aps,k:sikaflex sealant&page=1


Any real concrete or construction supply company will have it.

 

[MrMark]

For Windows and Door installations Polyurethane is the best for sure. Home Depot does not sell a good quality polyurethane, but they do sell a crummy product called PL Polyurethane. They used to sell DAP sidewinder, which I think is a good exterior product. Silicone is not paintable for the most part and really only has use for tile and glass in baths and kitchens. For general caulking around the house for like siding and trim the latex plus silicone is good. I wouldn't use Polyurethane inside as it outgasses fumes something terrible.

If dead set on polyurethane I just used a tube on a window install called Future Flash Sealant. I got it at White Cap. It was the nicest poly I have ever used. It gunned easily, tooled nicely and most importantly, it kicked off by the next day.

Oh, Home Depot does carry the Sika Flex poly in the concrete area but this one is not the Sika Flex that people generally praise. I'm not sure what Sika Flex it is honestly.

 

[djkeev]

Go to a real builder supply lumber yard. Home Depot and similar are glorified home owner shops tha don't carry a lot of professional product. A good paint store aimed at the professional painter or a masonry supply center will have it as well.

Lowes and Home Depot exist ony to frustrate and exasperate the professional, not to serve. Lumber yards exist to actually build and maintain the structures in the world by offering real product and real service to the real professionals.

Dave

 

[uppster]

Dave, I agree. One of the builders I used to work for said "there is a reason home builders do not go to Home Depot"

 

[djjsr]

Polyurethane caulking is great stuff. It's not new. I have used it for several years and never seen any cracking or separation. VERY durable and bonds very well. It's the ONLY thing I'll use on brick, block and concrete.

I use Sikaflex and Loctite PL brands. Sikaflex can be found at masonry supply stores and Loctite has a store locator on their website.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/where-to-buy.shtml

 

[StingRay]

Sikaflex is a generic term and is like Chevrolet where you have more than one model There are many varieties of Sikaflex. There is usually a number following Sikaflex like 201,202,221,222,252,etc. We use 4 or 5 different Sikaflex's where I work and countless other Sika products as well.

 

[Bull]

I had not been aware of the outgassing issue. I was planning on using this inside the barn I am finishing. How long does it stink for?

Basically, my application is sealing up some cracks between the framing members, shiplap siding, and around windows/trim and flashing on this barn before I insulate and finish the interior walls. I want it to be as tight as I can get it. Would poly be good for this?

 

[djjsr]

The smell wasn't really much of an issue for me. I used the PL brand to fill the expansion joints in my floor. The stuff took a couple of days to dry (indoors) and the smell was hardly noticeable in 3 or 4 days. It wasn't really a bad smell anyway.

 

[Crazy Car Guy]

i used this stuff for years on commercial store fronts and its some killer stuff i have never seen it screw up in any way shape or form and lowes has it in stock



OSI QUAD QUAD 10 Oz. Clear Solvent Based Caulk

Item #: 63043 | Model #: 1379600

 

[Bull]

i used this stuff for years on commercial store fronts and its some killer stuff i have never seen it screw up in any way shape or form and lowes has it in stock



OSI QUAD QUAD 10 Oz. Clear Solvent Based Caulk

Item #: 63043 | Model #: 1379600

Hey now, that sounds good. The details for what surface it can be applied to read: Cedar, fiberglass, aluminum, masonry and concrete.

I would be applying to shiplap siding, which I think is pine, plus my framing members, which are...well whatever wood the 2-bys are made from. Any reason why cedar is the only wood specified?

 

[csp]

The only time I can't find Quad in Home Depot or Lowes is when I'm looking for the colored stuff. White Cap has it though.

 

[Boomer343]

Bull cedar is mentioned because it's natural oils keep some caulks from sticking to it. I've used Quad and it is good but does have a few limitations so be sure to read the directions.

The one I've taken to using is clear Titebond Weathermater siding, window etc.

It fills up to 1" gaps and is super strong and flexible. It is a latex but stickier than most things you can think of.

www.titebond.com

 

[bobadame]

I've had mixed results with Sikaflex. After a couple of years it looses it's grip with metal flashing. I've used it for filling expansion joints with good success.

 

[MrMark]

I forgot Home Depot does carry Quad. Bull, before you go off on Quad try a tube. I hated the stuff. I ended up taking it back. It didn't gun well at all.

I'm pretty sure I've read poly is a no no inside as the gassing is a health hazard. Google it and see what comes up. I've never really tried it as I just use it for doors and window installs.

 

[MrMark]

Good article on caulks. Kind of puts it all together

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/PDF/Free/021162097.pdf

 

[Boomer343]

MrMark that is a good basic article but a lot of products have changed due to the VOC rules since it was written in 2004.

Good points on taping and the use of backer cords.

 

[csp]

Hey now, that sounds good. The details for what surface it can be applied to read: Cedar, fiberglass, aluminum, masonry and concrete.

Those are surfaces which usually don't bond well to most caulks. That's why they are mentioned.

 

[911mike]

Try Quad. It is a pain to workwith but it really works well. It sticks to just about everything. I have 10 year old Joints that still look great. After 15 tubes I became much more comfortable applying it.

 

[jkeyser14]

Sherwin Williams stores carry polyurethane.

 

[Pete D.]

The guys caulking windows and control joints on jobs that I was on used Tremco.