Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Aug 06, 2004 07:21pm | #1

   OSI makes a caulk (in colors to match) just for vynal....

   but yur J canel will not move and flex with temperture changes like it should....

   6 of 1 or a half dozen of another....

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....

                                                                      WOW!!!   What a Ride!
   

2. 
   RichColumbus | Aug 06, 2004 08:40pm | #2

   It's an age old question... one that I am pretty sure you will get lots of answers to.

   I can give you an unequivocal opinion of... maybe!

   Myself... if the door is open to the elements and has an opportunity to seep watter from a rainstorm... I might caulk the verticals, but DEFINITELY not any horizontals... if the gap is large enough or I cannot find a better solution to keeping the water out (emphasis on finding a better way to keep the water out).

   If the door is on a porch or is otherwise protected from the rain.. I do not caulk it.  The ability of the house to breathe is important.  Any moisture that gets trapped behind that caulking has a potential to do damage.  Air flow... no matter how small.. is a good way to evaporate moisture.

   My guess is that the HO wants this done for asthetics... and that has a place in the debate.  But I would look at the situation from a mechanical viewpoint first and advise the customer of that viewpoint.  Then... if the customer wants it done that way... do it.... but get it in writing so that you don't get hung later if there is a problem.

   As a side note... have you suggested a vinyl/pvc brick-mold to the homeowner?  It is a nice touch and makes just that much more that is maintenance free (or as maintenance free as a home gets).  It also is resistant to moisture.

   
   

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   Edited 8/6/2004 1:44 pm ET by Rich from Columbus

1. 
   RockyII | Aug 07, 2004 04:02pm | #5

   Thanks for the reply.  Yes I am utilizing PVC brickmold, but the door is on the back of the house, exposed to weather.  The customer thinks the caulking is required to keep moisture out.  I will definately utilize your suggestion of getting it in writting.

   Thanks,

   Rocky

1. 
   dIrishInMe | Aug 07, 2004 05:11pm | #6

   Some window manufactures actually require this (in their installation instructions) when their products are used with vinyl siding.  These windows have brickmold.  I have never seen such instructions on doors, but to tell you the truth, probably don't read door instructions any more, now that I've read a hundred of them.  I'd say go ahead and do it, but use a very flexible caulking.  BTW - don't use clear silicone as it discolors.  What would be ideal would be if the J-channel could be caulked as it was installed, or if the J-channel is already on, if you could pull the J-channel back enough to get a small bead of caulk between the J-channel and the brick mold. 

   I've seen doors that had the brick mold caulked to the J-channel with no apparent problems a year or more after.

   To me what is far more important is that the door is properly flashed at install time (with plastic, flashing tape, and/or whatever) and I like to paint wood moldings prior to the vinyl install.  It's details like these that make a good house, but also is the reason that I'm so darn slow.

   Really, it all starts at design stage, and exposed doors suck... 

   Matt

3. 
   BossHog | Aug 06, 2004 10:20pm | #3

   I'm kinda with Rich.

   If water gets behind the siding and runs down the housewrap/felt, how's it gonna get out of there if the J-channel is caulked?

   I find my life is a lot easier the lower I keep everyone's expectations.

4. 
   JeffBuck | Aug 06, 2004 11:46pm | #4

   like eveyone else says ... depends .. but mostly no.

   Is the door flashed in any sorta way?

   if there's any kinda flashing ... I vote don't trap the water in ...

   Jeff

   Buck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

5. 
   superwork | Aug 07, 2004 06:36pm | #7

   Vinyl - I have no use for the stuff. If you have to caulk areas , then the install is probably wrong. Just take the stuff off and avoid rot in the future.

6. 
   jonblakemore | Aug 07, 2004 11:25pm | #8

   I would never caulk vinyl, even if a window mfg. calls for it.

   IMHO, vinyl leaks like a sieve, so the only way to keep the door dry is to lap some flashing under the tar paper or housewrap.

   There is tar/wrap behind the siding, right?

    

   Jon Blakemore