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Building a Home Windows

Caulk Windows Where Meets Stone Siding?

2 months ago

On new house construction: Our inspector recommended that our windows be caulked at least at the lower half where they meet stone (but not necessarily stucco).

The upper half of exterior is stucco and the lower half is stone siding. The windows are half and half.

The builder said the windows are new construction type with built in flashing water protection (not visible) when installed after framing and caulking is not required.

But again, since inspector flagged it, builder will caulk (with clear or almond) if we wish.

I'm inclined to leave it as is. Worth caulking (almond or clear silicone) around lower halves of windows?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
2 months ago
Goodness me...some people shouldn't be "inspectors". Caulking between the window and the stucco would be appropriate here as would a drip cap and in a perfect world, that stone being under the window edge and with positive pitch away from the home.
PRO
Ultra Windows
2 months ago
It does seem like some inspectors try to justify their charges by nitpicking.

It wouldn't hurt anything to caulk it, but your builder is correct, a proper execution of the window installation, house wrap, etc.. renders it insignificant in the big scheme of things. Most people prefer the look of the mortar meeting the window, without the caulk line, which is probably why the builder did what he did.
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Seabornman
2 months ago
I would caulk at the sill as your builder didn't do you any favors by putting a level sill in. Water is going to be just as apt to flow toward the window as over the sill edge. Same for the cap on the other stone.
PRO
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2 months ago
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