11 Best Exterior Caulk for Wood (Siding & Joints)

Leaks, however small, can cause significant water damage and wreak havoc on your property. If not addressed in good time, a small gap can quickly escalate into a major leak problem with costly repercussions to your home.

Thankfully, the best exterior caulk for wood can seal all holey seams and fix every leak, leaving your home safer and protected against water damage.

Additionally, these sealing products are easy to use, so you do not have to hire an expert to use them on your wooden exteriors.

This write-up provides a detailed shortlist of the best outdoor caulk for wood and a handy guide for choosing one for yourself.

Our Top Picks

  

Best Exterior Caulk for Wood

1. Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk – Best multipurpose caulk
2. Red Devil 100 Percent Silicone Sealant – Best for freezing temperatures
3. GE Sealants & Adhesives Advanced Silicone 2 – Best for doors and windows
4. Red Devil Premium Elastomeric Acrylic – Best exterior caulk for wood siding
5. DAP Polyurethane Construction Adhesive and Sealant – Best sealant for roofing
6. DAP Dynaflex 230 Sealant – Best value for the money
7. Sashco Big Stretch Caulk – Best for exterior wood caulk for trim and soffits
8. Gorilla Silicone Sealant Caulk – Best exterior paintable caulk for wood
9. Flex Shot Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk – Easiest to use caulk for wood
10. Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal – Best non-yellowing waterproof caulk
11. GE Sealants & Adhesives Max Shield – Best all-weather outdoor caulk for wood

What is Exterior Caulk?

It is a thick, gluey solution for filling and sealing gaps and seams in various exterior surfaces, including wood, concrete, metal, brick, etc. The product is sold in a tube designed to be applied to these substrates using a caulking gun.

Exterior caulk can be used to fix holes and seams in siding, windows, doors, concrete, brick, roofing tiles, and gutters to keep the home waterproof and prevent moisture damage.

Caulks are typically inexpensive, even though their prices differ across different brands and models. In addition, they are easy to use and formulated to form permanent bonds with the surfaces used.

Their ease of use and permanent bonds make them ideal for fixing various cracks and breaks around your home’s outdoor space.

Types of Exterior Caulk for Wood 

Exterior wood caulking is available in different types formulated to work better for different applications. These include acrylic, latex, silicone, butyl rubber, and polyurethane exterior caulk.

Here are some essential details about each type. 

Latex wood caulking

This type of caulk is generally easy to use and is the least expensive of all types. It does not expand and contract once it has cured, which makes it ideal for use in places that experience fairly consistent temperatures all year long. 

This type of caulk is paintable, but you can expect some peeling paint to appear during extreme changes in temperature. 

Exterior latex caulk requires that you replace it more often than the other caulk types. This quality makes it among the least durable varieties. 

Acrylic latex caulk

Acrylic latex caulk is inexpensive but more durable than pure latex caulk. However, it also shrinks after it has fully cured and becomes inelastic, so it will not contract or expand as temperature changes—just like pure latex caulk.

It dries fast and works perfectly for many different applications due to its compatibility with various surfaces. You can use acrylic latex caulk on metal, tile, wood, and more. 

This type of caulk is also paintable and can maintain the paint without flaking or cracking issues as long as the paint covers the sealed surface completely. 

The caulk works best for filling small gaps and cracks in wooden trims. You can also use it to seal joints between wood parts you intend to paint.

For this reason, acrylic latex caulk is sometimes termed ‘painter’s caulk.’

Do not use this caulk in wet areas unless the sealed parts are painted. Even though it is significantly resistant to water, exposure to wetness can make it less durable. 

Polyurethane caulk

Polyurethane caulk consists of urethane resin, making it one of the best caulking products for exterior applications. 

It boasts significant UV resistance, so it will not yellow over time despite prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. 

This type of caulk is highly flexible, typically similar to silicone in flexibility. This quality allows it to contract and expand with temperature changes or absorb impact damage.

Exterior polyurethane caulk is paintable and gives excellent results when painted over. It also works with different materials, including wood, metal, and glass. 

Perhaps the only limitation of this type of exterior caulk is its thickness. This thick consistency typically makes it challenging to use, especially for users with limited experience handling a caulking gun. 

These superior qualities also come at a premium, as polyurethane caulk is among the most expensive types of caulk available.

Pure silicone caulk

Exterior silicone caulk is among the most flexible types of all. This malleability makes it incredibly durable and resistant to water. It remains flexible even after it has fully cured, expanding and contracting with changing temperatures.  

Silicone caulk is one of the most commonly used types for exterior applications due to its resilience. Its flexible quality makes it ideal for sealing drafty doors and windows.  

This type of caulk typically comes in different colors, which makes up for the fact that it cannot be painted. 

When working with silicone caulk, consider testing it out before going all-in to your project because it is usually more challenging to use than acrylic caulk or latex options.

It may also be difficult to remove after applying to a substrate.

Butyl rubber caulk

This type of caulk has superior UV resistance. This quality makes it used primarily in industrial and commercial applications. Direct sun exposure does not typically affect it, so it can retain its color and character outdoors for ages. 

Butyl rubber outdoor caulk is highly flexible, so it is ideal for sealing chimney flashings, gutters, and foundations for buildings that see lots of movement and moisture accumulation.

You can also apply this type of exterior caulk in extreme temperatures (hot and cold) without necessarily having to wait. It offers superior waterproofing to the exteriors of homes and stays reliable for long without requiring reapplication. 

Perhaps the only challenge to using this caulk is when removing it from a surface. It requires using a solvent such as paint thinner and not just prying it out. 

Interesting read: How to Seal Painted Wood

Best Exterior Caulk for Wood Reviews

The best exterior caulk for wood depends on the areas of your home that you intend to seal. The size of the wood or crack that needs filling will also influence the choice of exterior caulk you can use.

Some caulks are formulated for smaller seams, while others do better on larger gaps. That said, here are the leading options you may want to consider. 

1. Best multipurpose caulk – Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk

Silicone sealants are popular for their incredible flexibility, and this Gorilla silicone sealant caulk is no exception. If you live in a place that experiences extreme temperature changes, this caulk may be perfect.

The flexibility means it can take on impact without getting damaged. And the extreme winters or scorching summers won’t make it flinch. Instead, it will keep your home waterproof and airtight all year long.

Since this caulk is specially formulated for multipurpose use, it can be your one-stop solution for your exterior caulking needs.

This silicone exterior caulk from Gorilla has got you covered from siding to soffit and everything in between. 

It solidifies and dries pretty quickly. In just 30 minutes, the cracks in your siding will be sealed and airtight, keeping drafty winds from entering your house and making it chilly.

What We Liked Most

• The caulk is highly versatile; you can use it to fix holes in your wooden door, seal up seams in your siding, and much more. 
• It creates an effective seal against water. 
• It fully cures quickly, within 24 hours.
• It consists of 100 percent silicone, making it highly durable. 
• This product does not yellow over time. It cures into a translucent white sealant and remains so over time.
• It is flexible, so it does not crack to leave your home vulnerable.

What Could Be Improved

• This silicone caulk is not paintable 

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2. Best for freezing temperatures – Red Devil 100 Percent Silicone Sealant

If you live in a place that experiences cold winters, this Red Devil silicone sealant may be your best bet. Those chilly winters will not prevent you from applying the caulk and sealing your home to prevent water damage.

This caulk for outdoor wood is specially formulated to work at freezing temperatures, so you will not have to wait for the weather to come around before you can fix leaks.

You will be happy to know that this silicone caulk dries fast and takes only 24 hours to cure fully. 

Being made of silicone entirely means that it remains flexible even when fully cured. As such, those extremely high or low temperatures will not cause it to crack and reopen the sealed leaks. 

It is compatible with various materials, including ceramic and glass, so you can use it to join exterior wood to any other material where necessary. This property makes it ideal for sealing connections.

What We Liked Most

• This Red Devil caulk is highly durable, thanks to its 100-percent silicone rubber makeup. 
• It stays flexible even after it is fully cured, preventing cracks and shrinkages from occurring. 
• The caulk is water-resistant 
• It comes with a whopping 50-year limited warranty

What Could Be Improved

• The caul requires a solvent such as paint thinner to remove from a surface. You cannot just pry it off the material. 

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3. Best for doors and windows – GE Sealants & Adhesives Advanced Silicone 2 

Here is a sealant that does an excellent job of sealing windows and doors. Doors and windows play a pivotal role in making your house airtight.

And when they have gaps, they require a significantly flexible caulking product to absorb the impact of closing and opening without getting damaged. 

This caulk for outdoor wood adequately seals windows and doors against moisture, temperature, and airflow, keeping your interior space more comfortable. 

The sealant dries completely clear, remaining unnoticeable over the wood. This is advantageous since it will not create an eyesore where you do not want one. 

This silicone formula is 100 percent weatherproof. It offers excellent protection from water damage where you want it the most outdoors. This quality also means it will provide a reliable seal in exterior spaces prone to consistent water and sun exposure.

The superior UV resistance of this caulking product means it will not yellow over time. It remains clear and unnoticeable in areas where you do not want additional color.

What We Liked Most

• Superior weather resistance ensures there is no cracking or shrinking.
• It protects against stain-causing mildew and molds.
• It provides a durable seal for exterior projects. 
• The exterior caulk dries quickly, in 3o minutes, even though it will take 24 hours to cure fully. 

What Could Be Improved

• This sealant is not paintable 

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 4. Best exterior caulk for wood siding – Red Devil Premium Elastomeric Acrylic Latex Sealant 

If your siding has big holes threatening to let rodents into your home, this premium acrylic latex sealant may solve that problem for you. 

This exterior caulk for wood siding is formulated to fill big enough spaces, forming solid seals that keep those critters out and your home safer. Use it to block those holes and cracks in your siding that can let in chilly winds or cause water damage.

This acrylic latex product boasts antimicrobial properties that help safeguard the sealed areas from molds and mildew. This can go a long way in preventing discoloration associated with these fungi. 

Whether the wood is painted wood or unpainted lumber, this caulk will work. It is designed to adhere to finished and unfinished wood, so your options will not be limited by the surface condition of the wood involved. 

It also adheres to glass, plaster, aluminum, tile, masonry, metal, and concrete, making it ideal for use on connections where wood is attached to any of these materials. 

What We Liked Most

• Superior weather resistance ensures there is no cracking or shrinking.
• It protects against stain-causing mildew and molds.
• It provides a durable seal for exterior projects. 
• The exterior caulk dries quickly, in 30 minutes, even though it will take 24 hours to cure fully. 

What Could Be Improved

• The caulk becomes less flexible when dry, which can make it less durable when used on doors and windows. 

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5. Best sealant for roofing – DAP Polyurethane Construction Adhesive and Sealant

This DAP polyurethane construction adhesive is industrial grade, meaning it is top of the range and provides the ultimate protection for your wooden project outdoors. 

Its superior flexibility and ultimate durability make it ideal for sealing roofing materials. Use it to fix any gaping holes forming between your roofing woodwork and shingles because it is versatile and adheres perfectly to various materials. 

The roof receives the hottest beating from the sun and falling snow, so it requires an exterior caulk that can withstand such extreme temperature changes.

This polyurethane construction adhesive is highly flexible and will excel in sealing the woodwork on your roof. It consists of a polyurethane formula that makes it one of the best materials for outdoor applications out there. 

Even though this caulk takes longer than most exterior sealers to cure (anywhere from 4 to 7 days), you will be happy you waited that long. Once it cures, it forms a completely waterproof seal protecting your home from moisture damage. 

What We Liked Most

• The seal remains pliable until you remove it from the wood
• It comes in a black color that is paintable to match your wood color
• It is incredibly durable, with a commercial-grade formulation. The caulk is formulated to provide a permanent seal on exterior joints, cracks, and gaps
• It is a high-performance sealant that meets and exceeds the accepted federal quality specification
• It boasts a 50-year durability guarantee

What Could Be Improved

• You must apply more than one coat when painting over this sealant

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6. Best value for the money – DAP Dynaflex 230 Sealant

The Dynaflex is a value bundle consisting of a dozen 10.1-ounce tubes. This saves you money upfront on your purchase and ensures you have more than enough caulk for a big home improvement project. 

Projects such as replacing your siding or soffit may require a significant amount of exterior caulk. Buying individual tubes at the going market rate can be pretty expensive; that is why this bundle can be a godsend. 

Alternatively, you can take advantage of the large volume of sealer in this bundle to seal up all the seams and gaps on your exteriors and make your home more energy-efficient.

Doing so can significantly reduce your energy bills by eliminating wastage, saving you money.

What We Liked Most

• This bundle is cost-effective
• You can have the caulk in white or brown colors, whichever matches your home’s theme
• This latex caulk is versatile and can work for exterior wood projects, including siding, molding, trim, and more
• The caulk is mold and mildew resistant, preventing discoloration
• It boasts superior flexibility and is crack-proof
• The caulk is paintable and cleans up with water

What Could Be Improved

• Some customers complain of receiving only one tube instead of the dozen in the bundle. 

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7. Best for exterior wood caulk for trim and soffits – Sashco Big Stretch Caulk

If you are sealing big gaps in your exterior wood, such as cracks in the siding, you will need a sealer designed to offer the required structural support. Sashco Big Stretch is one such product designed specifically for a big project.

It is a highly durable sealer that dries to form a flexible material, holding your wood together for ages. The stretchy property helps keep the caulk from cracking or shrinking.

Once applied to wood, you can count on it to maintain its shape and structural integrity. If you want to make your home soundproof, this caulk can help you do just that.

Apply this caulk for wood trim to the large spaces in your doors and windows to give your home some long-term soundproofing and air sealing.

This material is paintable. This means you should not worry about buying the perfect color. If you match to match colors, you can just paint it up. 

What We Liked Most

• Suitable for sealing large seams or gaps in the wood.  
• It is highly stretchy, keeping it from forming cracks on the sealed area. 
• The caulk is UV resistant, so prolonged sun exposure will not discolor it.
• It is perfect for long-term soundproofing and air sealing. 

What Could Be Improved

• The product does not hold up well to foot or vehicle traffic. 
• It is not waterproof, so you should not use it in areas where frequent or prolonged puddles occur.

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8. Best exterior paintable caulk for wood – Gorilla Silicone Sealant Caulk

While most silicone caulks do not support painting, this silicone sealant from Gorilla changes that rule. It is completely paintable, so you can blend it with the rest of your exterior theme to create a cohesive, consistent look. 

Just let it cure fully, then scuff it up with sandpaper and apply your selected paint to create the look you want. It is perfect for sealing and soundproofing your home due to its incredible flexibility.

Apply it to the windows and door generously to achieve long-term air sealing and soundproofing. Its great flexibility means it can withstand extreme temperature changes without cracking.

Once applied, it will protect your home all year long, for years. 

What We Liked Most

• The product is versatile; you can use it to seal windows, doors, gutters, siding, and trim. 
• Once applied, the caulk becomes paintable in just 30 minutes.
• The sealant remains flexible after it is cured.
• It is mold and mildew resistant, helping to prevent discoloration.
• It is waterproof, so you can use it in areas where prolonged or frequent puddles occur.

What Could Be Improved

• Some customers complain of finding the product solidified when they buy it.  

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9. Easiest to use cault for wood – Flex Shot Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk

If you are not comfortable handling a caulking gun, the Flex Shot rubber adhesive may be the ideal option for you. It is designed for easy use without requiring a calking gun.

The tube comes with an easy trigger nozzle that lets you put a perfect bead effortlessly. The product has a thick consistency, so you will not experience any running or dripping.

More importantly, it never shrinks or cracks when dry. The free extension tube that comes with this product makes it easy to repair even those hard-to-reach areas. 

You should be happy to know that this caulk is available in four different colors. With that variety, you have the option of buying the color that best complements your home’s exterior color theme. 

What We Liked Most

• This product is waterproof to withstand rain, snow, precipitation, and the humidity outdoors. 
• It is thick, so you will not experience any running or dripping when using it
• It comes in multiple colors to choose from
• The caulk does not crack or shrink when dry.
• It is mold and mildew resistant to avoid discoloration.

What Could Be Improved

• Some buyers feel the tube should carry a little more caulk than currently offered. 

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10. Best non-yellowing waterproof caulk – Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal 

This waterproof caulk from Gorilla is excellent for indoor and outdoor use. It creates a permanent seal on your project that does not give in to rain, precipitation, snow, or spills. 

It is pretty versatile, you can use it on practically any outdoor woodwork, and it will give perfect results each time. The product boasts significant UV resistance, so the sun’s ultraviolet radiation will not cause it to change color.

It retains its color over time, ensuring your project remains looking good for years. Its weatherproof quality also means it will create a dependable seal that remains airtight and watertight throughout the seasons.

Thanks to a strong and stretchy formula, it won’t crack or shrink and will not give in to a physical impact.

What We Liked Most

• It is waterproof  
• The product is non-yellowing
• It is mold and mildew-resistant.
• Designed for use outdoors and indoors, making it a one-size-fits-all kind of solution 

What Could Be Improved

• This caulk is not primarily designed to be painted.

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11. Best all-weather outdoor caulk for wood – GE Sealants & Adhesives Max Shield Caulk

The Max Shield caulk from GE Sealants and Adhesives is designed to provide the best results in any weather. This quality makes it ideal for those places that experience all four seasons of the year. 

The extreme chilly winters or scorching summers will not affect its effectiveness. It is durable and robust, formulated to offer maximum protection throughout the year. 

While this product may not come in your preferred shade, it is paintable to let you color it your way. Once applied, you can follow through with a coat of paint in as little as 45 minutes.

What We Liked Most

• It is 100 percent waterproof, keeping your home safe from water damage. 
• It is flexible and hence can withstand extreme weather changes. The product can stretch over 800 percent.
• It is the best exterior caulk for large gaps – sealing gaps up to 3 inches wide.
• Its pliability supports up to 35 percent joint movement. It won’t shrink or crack under extreme environmental conditions.  

What Could Be Improved

• Some users find the brown color to be rather dark, especially when dry, instead of light brown, as indicated in the product description. 

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Education: Exterior Caulk for Wood Buying Guide

If you intend to use a caulking product in your home, you first need to get that product. Not all caulk is equal. For instance, some caulk form stronger bonds with concrete than wood, while others work equally well across different materials. 

Others also work better within certain temperature ranges, while some caulk work perfectly in any weather condition.

So, you need to understand your project to determine the best exterior caulk for your purposes. Here are some considerations to set you off on the right foot. 

Consider the color you need 

Some exterior caulk for wood is available in two to four or more colors. These give you the option to choose the best color to go with your home’s exterior color theme. 

However, the majority of exterior caulks you will find in the market come in white or clear shades. Clear would be fine for any project because it is unnoticeable anyways.

However, you want to research it to ensure it is non-yellowing and will not become amber and ugly with time. White may be a neutral color but will not match all applications.

A wrong color choice may create an eyesore. So ensure you decide the best color for your wood before buying one. 

Paintable vs. non-paintable caulks 

Manufacturers usually compensate for the limited number of colors available with their caulks by making them paintable. Still, some caulks are unpaintable and will cause the paint to crack or chip off if you attempt to paint them. 

If the caulk you want is unavailable in your preferred shade, find out if it is paintable. If it cannot be painted and does not come in the color you want, perhaps you would be better off looking elsewhere for a more fitting alternative. 

Go for durability

You probably will not want to repeat the same home improvement activities every other year. So you need to invest in a product that will get the job done once and keep your homes safe from water damage for the long haul. 

Polyurethane, butyl rubber, and silicone exterior caulk are the most durable of the bunch. They are flexible enough to weather extreme weather conditions and remain in place without shrinking or cracking for decades. 

In contrast, latex and acrylic latex options do not expand or contract with temperature changes once they have cured. For this reason, they are typically the least durable caulk. 

When choosing, keep these factors in mind and decide the level of durability you want for your project. 

Consider the drying and curing time

If you want to paint a caulk after its application, you will need to do that after it has dried. While some caulks are dry and ready for painting in as little as 30 minutes, others may take several hours. 

Panting is just one example of why you would want to go for a product with a shorter drying time. The other reason is to ensure you finish the caulk job sooner to move on to other things. 

So, always refer to the product label for information regarding caulk dry and cure time and decide from there. 

Think about usability

A product designed for indoor use may not be used outdoors. The chances are that it will not have the UV resistance or weatherproof qualities required outdoors.

Trying to use it there anyways will be akin to wastage as it will not hold up well to the environment. Alternatively, some products may be exterior grade but designed for surfaces such as concrete and bricks, whereas your project involves wood.

Using such a product meant for one type of surface on another surface type may also lead to suboptimal results. So always ensure that you are buying the right product formulated for the specific application you are working on. 

The other aspect of usability you may want to think about is the ease of using the chosen product. Some products have a thick consistency, making them more challenging to apply. 

More specifically, butyl rubber, silicone, and polyurethane products are dense, so you may find it harder to control their flow when applying the caulk.

On the other hand, acrylic latex and latex caulk flow relatively easily from their tubes. This means you can effortlessly apply them onto cracks and seams without facing any challenges.  

Any mistakes you make are also easier to fix because these products are easier to remove. 

FAQs

What caulking to use on exterior of the house?

Exterior silicone caulk is often the best caulk for exterior of house because of its incredible flexibility, durability, and water resistance. However, you could also use exterior grade polyurethane or butyl rubber caulk with similar results. 

Latex and acrylic latex caulk is available for exterior use but is less preferred because of their limited lifespan. 

Can you use caulking on exterior wood?

Yes, you can use exterior grade caulking such as latex caulking, for filling seams or other types of gaps on outdoor wood. The latex option is especially suitable for filing joints on wood siding and small gaps in doors and windows to take care of drafting.

How big of a gap can you fill with caulk?

The standard size of a single bead is often enough for filing gaps of up to ¼ inches wide. Larger gaps typically require filling with a bead of caulk deeper into the gap rather than flush with the surface. 

Once the caulk has completely cured, you can always return and put a surface bead onto the area.

What kind of caulk is completely waterproof?

Silicone caulk is generally the completely waterproof kind, ideal for waterproofing applications because it is 100 percent waterproof.

Nonetheless, some non-silicone types of specialty caulk may use waterproofing technology to create more superior waterproofing than silicone.

Is silicone or latex caulk better for the exterior?

Hybrid or silicone caulk types are generally better than latex for exterior applications because they offer better adhesion and flexibility. Both qualities make these caulks far more durable. 

What is the best exterior caulking?

The best exterior caulking is polyurethane. It can take paint and give your home a flawless aesthetic. The exterior caulk is also great for sealing different types of wood and other types of material.

In addition, polyurethane is UV-resistant, so you won’t have to look at yellow discoloring over time.

What is the best silicone sealant for outdoor use?

The best exterior silicone caulk is DAP Adhesive Exterior Silicone Sealant, often for outdoor use. This exterior silicone caulk is commonly known for its high durability and water resistance features.

It’s flexible and can be such a great option for sealing drafty windows and doors.

What is the best caulk for siding joints?

Silicone caulk is a great option in case you’re looking for the best caulk for siding joints. It’s flexible and does a great job of adhering to smooth surfaces.

Plus, it’s durable and won’t crack or shrink over time, ensuring long-lasting results.

What is the best caulk for brick to wood?

The best caulk for brick to wood is exterior polyurethane caulk. Overall, it’s the best for sealing different types of materials like bricks, wood, metal, and glass.

You can consider using the exterior caulk for your home improvement just in case moisture penetrates your building.

What kind of caulk to use for exterior trim?

Exterior Silicone Caulk is commonly used for exterior trim. Experts prefer silicone caulk because it’s incredibly durable and water-resistant.

Even after curing, silicone is flexible, so you can use it to seal your windows and doors. However, keep in mind silicone caulk can miss sealing perfectly with wood, plus removing it can be hectic.

Best Exterior Caulk for Wood Summary

The best exterior caulk for wood is silicone, such as the Gorilla 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk. However, butyl rubber and polyurethane options may be equally flexible, durable, and waterproof. 

When shopping for an exterior caulk, feel free to consult this detailed review and user guide to help you identify the most suitable product for your specific needs.