Colored caulk: The perfect match

When tiling a kitchen or bathroom, match your tile with a colored caulk for a cool trendy look. Color matching caulk is the magic ingredient that takes your project to the next level.

• What is colored caulk used for?
• When do you need colored caulk?
  
• How to use colored caulk
  

What is colored caulk used for?

Kitchens and bathrooms are the most frequently remodeled rooms in homes. They’re also the most expensive to remodel. These jobs can cost thousands of dollars to upgrade with beautiful cabinets, countertops and fixtures. Choosing the right color sealant to compliment the new trim is an important factor to consider when renovating.

On the functional side, color match caulk is a critical gap-filler and sealant. But this component is also ideal for adding that trendy touch to your dream kitchen and bathroom.

When do you need colored caulk?

The standard colors for most caulks come in clear, white, and some variation of off-white, making them ideal for use in most projects and, in the case of caulks like Loctite Polyseamseal Acrylic Caulk with Silicone, paintable in less than an hour.

However, using colored caulk really adds an extra level of refinement to your home. It’s available in a range of colors like almond, bronze, dark brown, gray and cedar. For example, if installing a new stone countertop in your kitchen with matching tiling, complementing it with a gray caulk can bring the elements together to create a visual highlight. Refer to the manufacturers caulk color chart for accurate color matching.

How to use colored caulk

No matter the color, applying sealant is simple. Here’s how to apply colored caulk to any joint.

1. Clean. Make sure the area you are working with is clean and free of any dust, dirt and debris in order for the color match caulk to form the best possible seal.
2. Tape. Apply masking tape to both sides of the joint you are looking to seal, e.g. the space between a countertop and the backsplash/tiling behind it, to help create a neat, smooth bead.
3. Cut. Cut an amount off the tip of the caulk tube at a 45-degree angle, to create an aperture that matches the size of the joint you are looking to seal. It is better to start small, and cut off more if needed.
4. Apply. Attach a caulking gun to the tube and steadily apply the colored sealant along and into the joint.
5. Smooth. Use either a smoothing tool or your finger and run it over the bead to smooth it over.
6. Finish. Peel off the masking tape and leave the colored caulk to dry, as per the instructions on the packaging. In case of any rough edges, a secondary smoothing might be necessary, after removing the tape.