I hear you on the hybrid caulks—tried a couple myself, and I’m honestly not convinced they’re that much better than the old school stuff. Maybe it’s just my drafty 1950s windows, but I’ve had better luck with the plain silicone (the kind you can’t paint) for durability, even if it’s a pain to work with and doesn’t blend in. It’s not perfect, but it survived two winters without cracking or peeling. Only downside is touching up the paint around it, but at least I’m not re-caulking every year. Maybe it’s more about the install than the brand?
- Totally agree, install matters a lot—prep is half the battle.
- Silicone’s tough to beat for longevity, especially on older wood frames.
- Hybrids claim flexibility but I’ve seen them pull away on uneven sills.
- For paint touch-ups, I sometimes mask a razor-thin line for neater edges... still not perfect, but helps.
- If you’re dealing with big gaps, backer rod before caulk can really help the seal last longer.