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What is caulking?

Caulking is a soft, flexible filler and sealer pressed into cracks, gaps and joints in a building so air and water cannot pass through. The word names both the material, also called caulk, and the work of sealing a joint with it.

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By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated

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What is the meaning of caulking?

Caulking means a soft filler and sealer used to close joints, cracks and crevices where air or water could leak or where parts of a building move slightly. The Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus files caulking and caulk under the term caulking compound, and the South Carolina Energy Office describes caulk as the flexible seal for gaps between parts of a house that do not move: The Getty thesaurus defines caulking compound as “A soft, waterproof filler and sealer, made of various materials, used in construction and repairs to seal joints or fill crevices where leakage or structural movement may occur.” Source: Getty Research Institute, read 2026-10-29. In South Carolina's state energy guidance, “Caulk is a flexible material used to seal air leaks through cracks, gaps, or joints between stationary building components and materials.” Source: South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Energy Office, read 2026-10-29.

What is caulking made of?

Caulking is not one single substance: the Getty definition says it is made of various materials. For houses, University of Kentucky extension entomologists name two common kinds, silicone and acrylic latex. The EPA adds a warning about older caulk, which in buildings from 1950 to 1979 could be as much as 40 percent PCBs: See the Getty Research Institute passage quoted above. “Use a good quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk.” Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology, read 2026-10-29. “Caulk put in place between 1950 and 1979 may contain as much as 40 percent PCBs and can emit PCBs into the surrounding air.” Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-10-29.

What is caulking in construction?

In construction, caulk is the sealer or filler in a building's joints, around windows and around doors, inside or outside. That is how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines the word in its guidance on PCBs in building materials, and the Getty thesaurus says it is used in construction and repairs to seal joints: “The use of the term "caulk" in this document refers to any building joint, window, or door sealer or filler found on the inside or outside of a building.” Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-10-29. See the Getty Research Institute passage quoted above.

Is caulking waterproof?

Yes, the material is meant to keep water out: the Getty thesaurus calls caulking compound a waterproof filler and sealer. The South Carolina Energy Office says caulking can also prevent water damage when it is applied around faucets, water pipes, drains, bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures: See the Getty Research Institute passage quoted above. In South Carolina's state energy guidance, “In addition to sealing air leaks, caulking can also prevent water damage inside and outside of the home when applied around faucets, ceiling fixtures, water pipes, drains, bathtubs, and other plumbing fixtures.” Source: South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Energy Office, read 2026-10-29.

Is caulking toxic?

The EPA's documented concern is with older caulk. Caulk put in place between 1950 and 1979 may contain up to 40 percent PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), can give off PCBs into the air, and can contaminate nearby masonry or wood. The sources captured for this page do not rate the toxicity of caulk made today: See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency passage quoted above. “PCBs from caulk may also contaminate adjacent materials such as masonry or wood.” Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-10-29.

Does caulking around windows help?

Caulk seals air leaks through cracks and gaps between parts of a house that stay still. The South Carolina Energy Office points to weatherstripping, not caulk, for the parts that move, like operable window sashes and doors. University of Kentucky extension lists caulking cracks around windows as its step 3 and says steps 1 to 3 also conserve energy: See the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Energy Office passage quoted above. In South Carolina's state energy guidance, “For components that move— Doors and Operable Windows , for example— Weatherstripping is the appropriate material.” Source: South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Energy Office, read 2026-10-29. “Caulk cracks around windows, doors, fascia boards, etc.” Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology, read 2026-10-29. “Steps 1-3 will also conserve energy and increase the comfort level during summer and winter.” Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology, read 2026-10-29.

Does caulking keep ants out?

Caulk is one of the ways to close the small openings ants and other insects use to get in. University of Kentucky extension entomologists advise caulking the bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds to exclude ants, and an EPA Indoor airPLUS bulletin (EPA 402/B-20/004) says to caulk small holes to seal out insects: “Apply caulk (see #3 below) along bottom outside edge and sides of door thresholds to exclude ants and other small insects.” Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology, read 2026-10-29. “Caulk small holes to seal out insects.” Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor airPLUS, read 2026-10-29. “The steps that builders take to seal the building envelope to prevent air leakage will also help to keep out insects and rodents.” Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor airPLUS, read 2026-10-29.

Can caulking be painted?

Latex-type caulk can be painted, according to University of Kentucky extension entomologists, who also say it cleans up with water but is somewhat less flexible than pure silicone. Their sheet names silicone and acrylic latex as the two good-quality choices, and it does not say whether silicone caulk takes paint: “Although somewhat less flexible than pure silicone, latex- type caulks clean up easily with water and are paintable.” Source: University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology, read 2026-10-29. See the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Entomology passage quoted above.

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