How to Choose the Right Caulk for Trim, Gaps, and Cracks

Caulking 101: What to Use and When

You’re walking through Home Depot.

You need caulking.

You look at the shelf… and it’s a wall of tubes that all look the same.

Which one do you grab?

Here’s the breakdown from professional painters who use this stuff every day:

First off — skip the off-brand stuff.

It’s tempting to grab whatever is in front of you. But a lot of the caulks sold in big box stores are just okay. Maybe some store-specific ones that will work in a pinch, but they don’t always last.

Sherwin Williams Powerhouse is a solid choice.

We use it across a ton of our projects all over the country. It goes on smooth, holds paint well, and dries with a clean finish.

If you’re sealing baseboards, door frames, or trim, this one’s a workhorse.

But what if the area keeps cracking?

That’s a sign the surface is moving a lot. Maybe it’s a spot that expands and contracts with temperature. Maybe it’s an old wall that shifts slightly over time.

In that case, you’ll want something elastomeric.

SherMax from Sherwin-Williams is a great pick. It’s flexible, stretchy, and moves with the surface. That means no re-caulking every six months.

It’s especially useful around exterior trim, joints with gaps that open and close with weather, or areas with historic cracking.

Bottom line?

Not all caulk is created equal.

For general use, Powerhouse holds up beautifully. For movement-heavy areas, go for something elastomeric like SherMax.

You’ll save time, avoid callbacks, and get a cleaner finish…the first time.