The Best Brand Of Caulk Money Can Buy, According To Reviews
Caulk is valuable for a host of jobs inside and outside the home. It can seal gaps to stop drafts, prevent water leaking through cracks, and is a must-have when painting baseboards. There are dozens of different caulks to choose from, and if you're new to DIY, deciding which to use can be a bit of a nightmare. Checking online reviews for the best brand of caulk is one method, but are they reliable or could the information be misleading?
Over at The Home Depot, a search for the "best rated caulk" currently shows Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal as the one with the most positive reviews. GE and Locktite brands also feature strongly. The same Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal is also top at Amazon (where it's slightly cheaper). GE again scores well, as does DAP. However, over at Lowe's, Gorilla doesn't make the first page at all. It's a shootout between DAP and GE, with OSI and Loctite also featuring.
While any brand of caulk that has hundreds of positive comments is unlikely to let you down, online reviews aren't always completely trustworthy. The Federal Trade Commission warns it can be nearly impossible to tell fake from real. Market research specialists Lifestory Research provided some independent corroboration: Their survey of America's most trusted caulk and sealant brands places Gorilla first and Loctite second. Interestingly, GE — probably the next strongest caulk brand at major retailers — only made 7th.
But is buying caulk from the best brand the right way to choose?
Although some products are sold as "universal", in reality, there can be important differences between caulk and sealant, and how each one should be used. Some are formulated for interior application, others for outdoors. For example, when choosing the perfect caulk for most jobs around the kitchen and bathroom, Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal should be excellent. However, it's no substitute for butyl rubber caulk when you need a heavy-duty exterior barrier.
It is vital to understand which product is right for the job, or you'll be facing problems later. But if you're a DIY newcomer, how can you find that out? The manufacturer's website is a good place to start, and they often provide more detail about how to use their caulk than online stores. Then there are popular websites that provide in-depth DIY advice, and of course, YouTube. Checking several sources will allow you to make a properly informed choice. Overall, Gorilla has a stellar reputation and may indeed be the best brand of caulk money can buy, but you need to check it's actually the best caulk for the job you're tackling before spending your money.