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Should You Caulk Above Windows
Why Caulking Above Window Frames Can
Lead To Water Damage
By Mark J. Donovan
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Question: Mark, I’ve
written to you on a number of occasions about various home improvement
issues and you’ve always been so helpful with your information and
advice. Thank you for that. However, I’m back with another question on
whether or not you should caulk above windows. My window contractor is
telling me that you should not caulk above windows and I have real
doubts on his assertion. I would appreciate your thoughts on this
subject.
To give you a little background, I recently had several good quality
windows installed in my home by a supposedly skilled and reputable
contractor.
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Unfortunately, he wasn’t as reputable
as I thought. I’ve had to have him come back on four different occasions due to
his shoddy workmanship. His most recent return was precipitated by the fact that
I did a close inspection of the exterior of the home, and in particular above
the windows. Much to my chagrin above one window there was a hole that he left
about the size of a golf ball. He apologized for the mistake and made the
repair.
I also pressed him on why he did not caulk above the windows and asked him to
please do so. The window contractor refused my request to put caulking above the
window frame for what I thought was a poor excuse for laziness. He told me that
this is never done in window installations because there has to be a free flow
of air to escape. Otherwise the windows would steam over and cause the window
frame to expand and ruin the seal. He did, however, put caulking on the sides
and underneath the window frame. However his answer about not caulking above
window frames quite concerns me, as I believe it should be there to keep out the
elements, i.e., rain, snow, moisture, rodents, bugs, etc.
Again Mark, I would appreciate any advice you might have on this subject because
I have a feeling this contractor is simply pulling the wool over me. Thanks in
advance for your response.
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Answer: N.N. First, it is at
least nice to hear that the window contractor returned to the jobsite per your
request, on multiple occasions, and did address the issues that you pointed out.
Many a bad contractor would’ve simply ignored your phone calls. I also give him
credit for doing what he thought was right for addressing and fixing your window
installation concerns.
In regards to your specific question, I am a little perplexed on his explanation
on why you should not caulk above windows. I do think that he is indeed correct
in his general assertion. Caulking above windows is not a good idea, however I
disagree with his reasons.
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The main reason you do not want to caulk above the window frame is that water
can potentially get trapped behind the caulk and window frame. From there it can
wick upwards and to the sides of the window frame where it can damage the
exterior house siding or exterior wall sheathing. The damage could be in the
form of rot, or mold and mildew growth.
| When windows are installed there is a metal drip edge
typically installed above the window frame and underneath the abutting house
siding. Also, with some windows there is an integrated sealed drip edge
above the window frame. The drip edge is designed to prevent water from
getting behind the window. As water sheds down the exterior house siding and
hits the top of the window, the drip edge prevents the water from wicking
underneath the window and behind the siding. |
 Photo by Mark Donovan |
Consequently there is no need to
install caulking between the top of the window frame and the bottom edge of the
abutting siding and metal drip edge.
One might argue that if you do a good job window caulking, that water should not
be able to get up behind the window frame and underneath the siding. A fair
response, however, not every window caulk job is perfect and sometimes it is
installed on too cold of a day. Also caulk inevitably dries out, shrinks, and
cracks no matter what the caulk manufacturer tells you. In particular, if window
caulk is installed on too cold of a day, when the temperatures eventually warm
up the caulk can separate from the window frame.
So, yes your window contractor is right. You should not caulk above
windows. His reasoning, on the other hand, is questionable. Finally, window
caulk should be applied to the sides and bottom of the window frame, which he
fortunately did do.
For information on
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