Silicone or Caulk, Which is better

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So when you have finished your tile installation, it has been all grouted and you are ready to caulk the corners to have that nice soft movement joint to allow for movement, what should you use, Acrylic Latex Caulk, or 100% silicone sealant. In this video I show you what the real performance difference is. Silicone is the correct choice for your tile shower corners, tub joint or anywhere tile meets a tile in a corner or another type of material. You never want to just grout in your corners, this can create problems, at the very least you will have cracked corners, at the worst it will cause your tile job to fail. Silicone sealant is the correct choice, look up ANSI EJ171 for all the details. An alternative Siliconized Acrylic Caulk, but it is not as flexible and will not last anywhere near as long as a Silicone caulk joint will. Silicone is much more flexible and has a much stronger bond, however it is not easy to clean and can leave a mess if you don't know the secret how to get it done quick and easy. Unlike acrylic caulks, which can be easily cleaned with water, silicone caulk needs a bit more care and know how to get a professional looking clean even joint. In this video I demonstrate an easy method that with a little practice will have you caulking with silicone in no time.
All tile installed by Sal DiBlasi, Elite-tile Company, in the Boston North Shore area. This video contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you click on the product link.
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[@birisutilemarble]

Very nice video and well presented! It can be very challenging doing the silicone Graut caulking but in the end it’s the best no doubt👍

[@JaswinderJesse]

Very well explained, thank you!

[@zachrawlings6523]

This is the best-evidence video available on the interwebs, to date.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@TheNortheastAl]

I learned my lesson about using acrylic caulking from Sal. Now it’s silicone all the way.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@tedspens]

Thanks for the comparison. My only issue with silicone is it's too shiny. Acrylic has always worked well for me but it does require a solid installation, right down to the studs. If I didn't know for sure the shower is built right, I'd probably go with silicone. Has anyone tried blowing dry grout on the wet silicone? I might try it.

[@executiveflooring]

Mapei Mapesil T….. by far the best color match silicone on the market. Flows better, performs better, and matte finish looks better unlike other super shiny brands. Great presentation though!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@Jack-fs2im]

well needed comparison

[@jerryrobbins6074]

Great show and tell! Thank you

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet!

[@ibrahimhamied6667]

Thanks a lot, in my place we only talk abt Silicon, for first time I heard abt Acrylics as caulking stuff!

[@sandatrip980]

Thanks again for your help.

[@SalDiBlasi]

No worries!

[@wayneshore4136]

That's the best comparison I've seen on acrylic vs. Silicone yet Sal. Silicone for the win. But people are still scared to use it.....

[@SalDiBlasi]

Like anything else, a skill to be learned.

[@stephengonzales3276]

Thanks for sharing.

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet

[@msnpassjan2004]

Thanks Sal !

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet!

[@T.E.P..]

superb vid Sal!!! great excuse for a vid and these things need to be known. Well done always!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@lesg9604]

Will dried silicone accept a new layer on top should you need to fill a deeper gap in an area or two?

[@DONNIEWATKINS]

Thanks Sal !~!~!~ Good Vid !~!~

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paulbischoff2291]

Tks

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@acraftman2823]

I would add for some reason our state building code says toilets need a bead of caulk I have pulled two recently with silicone and it has pulled the stone / tile up off the floor with it which is fine for demo but if the client just wants to change there toilet our repair work needs to be done its a pita.

[@aredditor4272]

I work on a large building with 180ish toilets, and 170 tubs. I always try to cut through the caulking as much as possible.

[@SalDiBlasi]

What aredditor said

[@kaboom362]

Very helpful video. Is there a place where caulking would be better?

[@SalDiBlasi]

As far as tile goes, no.

[@Chris_FMS_Redfield]

That's a pretty caulk.

[@DeanRamser]

So, since the silicone behaves excellent when pushed and pulled, can I assume that 100% silicone should be used instead of grout?

[@oddopops1327]

👍👍😉

[@organicgreens3453]

price difference between products says it all for the most part also

[@cubeweaver]

So what does “siliconized sealant” mean? It’s marked on my DAP tube. Thanks.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Means nothing really, just that it is supposed to be a bit more flexible.

[@farmerfb]

Really that's not the use case.... if your shower shifts that much you have other issues.

[@SalDiBlasi]

ANSI EJ171, look it up

[@trevortoews9850]

Silicone a way better product. Just know you can’t paint it

[@indbolwebelieve]

Acrylic is way easyer to clean

[@SalDiBlasi]

So you didn't get the point.

[@indbolwebelieve]

@@SalDiBlasi ya i got the point, acrylic is more for molding since you can paint, theres really no point of using it with tile

[@flatcat47]

thank you for the demo--very digestible (the sound track is HORRIBLE. You don't need "music" to teach shop)

[@terrydoolan7710]

Never cut anything towards you And silicone turns to rubber so never think about any else