Let's see what you are seeing. The general rule is that you don't caulk the bottom "closed" and eliminate or limit the drainage path, but every application is specific to the siding and trim interfaces.

Drip cap above the head trim (this is good), with not drip ledge on the bottom (not deep enough), I would want that gap caulked and well seal as the sides in this case and any gaps between the window the trim.

Thank you - so caulk all around window frame and trim on the whole thing except the top?

You can caulk between the window and the trim at the top, but you would not caulk between the drip cap and the siding in this case.

There is a small drip cap above the window, under the head trim. What should I do with that area? And would OSI quad clear be a good choice for this? Thanks alot!

That stays open. Unless they have a color match, clear is fine.

I agree. Depending on how the window was installed (nail fin or no?) would dictate what is needed, but I'd opt to caulk all of those seams except over the drip cap/head flashing. Clear quad is fine, but a color match would definitely give it a more seamless look. I'd use the siding color on both seams since the window sits proud of the trim.

Thanks guys - they're new construction with fin flashed. The sides between the trim and the window - start the bead right below the small drip cap on the window or next to it at the head trim edge and go down?

It doesn't look like they folded they side of the head flashing over, so I'd start at the top of the trim. I'd actually contact the side edge of the flashing as my starting point. Same for the window drip cap.

Thank you! Is there anything other than OSI Quad you would recommend?

Quad is as good as anything out there, and better than most.

Have you guys ever tried Sashco - Exact Color caulk? I'm thinking give it a try if I cant get a close color match with the quad. Thanks.

+1 on quad. I've seen the Sashco product, but haven't worked with it.

OSI quad has an amazing array of colors. you may have to order them or go to somewhere like ABC supply to get the right color. I’d recommend a high quality caulk gun such as Albion . You may want to pratice before isomg a urethane caulk , It is best to lay down a a bead with out having to tool it. Start on second story windows to hide your sins and practice first . There is a bit of learning curve if you havent used urethane caulks before. keep in mind you need mineral spirits or aa as nother petroleum based product to clean up . You want a cleanly cut tip on the caulk tube and keep the tip clean. Caulking is a bit of art form and i have seen more than a few well done jobs looked f’ed up with poor caulk jobs. Clear caulk always looks

like crap to me, but if you go that that route I’d use something that is paintable

Thanks. I ordered a few different tubes of quad from amazon to see if I can match the trim color. Hopefully one is close enough. Would a siding supply house have a larger selection of quad colors than hd or lowes?

Yes, by a mile. The box stores have a small handful of the most common colors, where a supply house will carry a whole array to match the siding line that they stock... That said, based on the picture, your color is not one that is very common in the tan/brown family, but even if its not stocked there should be something close that can be special ordered.

I’d bring a sample of that paint color if possible and match to color from an aluminum deck at supply house.

This has been very helpful thanks guys. I am going to check out ABC supply near me to see what I can find. I am being extra cautious with this because I love how it looks not caulked and I am worried I am going to ruin it with my armature caulk job. Is it a bad idea to tape and tool quad?

As an amatuer you are almost better not tooling quad. It has somewhat of a "self-leveling" property, so use a small bead and it shouldn't be too bad. Quad CAN be tooled, but unless you are skilled at it, it can get messy pretty quick.

+1. Don't try to tool it unless you have a solvent or other lubricating fluid on your finger and I would highly recommend taping off around the areas if you are going to try to tool it. Its very viscous and has a high degree of adhesion. It doesn't take kindly to manipulation.

Wait a minute, wow is that caulking or marriage advice?!

Probably universal in this case.

I've nailed a bunch of scrap together and have been practicing lol. Trying to get the QUAD to look nice without tooling was a disaster. Taping and tooling with a paper towel soaked in mineral spirits wasn't too bad and turned out amazing. The colored QUAD seems different than the clear. End result was much nicer and smoother with the color.

Clear caulk never looks good IMO. Maybe try tooling with latex gloves and mineral spirits , less drag.

+1. Color match is better if possible.

Hey guys thanks for all the help. I got a few more windows put in and just need to clarify - do I caulk here above aluminum cap or not?

+1. As MWM explained, that is a pathway for moisture to drain, it shouldn't be caulked.