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Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Need advise on what color caulking to use.

10 months ago

I have two areas that need caulking...

1 - where the shower tile meets the ceiling

2 - where the shower tile meets the jacuzzi.

I'm not sure if i should choose an off white or a gray caulk for where the ceiling and shower tile meet. And, i'm not sure if i should choose a white caulk or gray caulk for where the shower tile meets the jacuzzi.

Any suggestions would help.

The shower tile is a porcelain tile with a gray glossy marble print on it. The ceiling is a typical off white color, and the jacuzzi is white. i included pic's below.

wide shot of shower wall and ceiling

closeup of ceiling and shower wall

wide shot of shower wall and jacuzzi

closeup of shower wall and jacuzzi

current shower wall / floor caulking color

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Comments (8)

Lyn Nielson
10 months ago
I agree with @Lomo and tape it off with painters tape for a clean line.
HU-149305700
Original Author
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
Ok, sounds good, and i will use tape to keep it clean - thanks!

So, is this a general rule for any wall or shower tile that butts up against a drywall ceiling or a tub, the tile grout color takes precedence when deciding what color silicone to apply to the tile/ceiling or tile/tub joints as shown in the pics?
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one more time - what kind of caulk do we use?
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if you look at it as enjoying the fruits of your labor (in putting together the capital and credit to be able to do this), then it's worth enjoying every single second of it!! Yeah Bill you're right and I'm trying. And we didn't borrow, but still, when I wrote the first check, it was kind of an out of body experience. Okay, so we're fine with nerdy - what about whiny and stressed? Budge, I'm there too -- you should have seen me on Tues when my granite got scratched...granite guy comes tomorrow, but I'm not optimistic. As for size, our 14 x 8 layout seems big enough, but that includes both closets (on the diagonal on either side of tub). When the new vanity went in (taller that the old) it seemed to take much more space. But it's OK now...and now I stew over the stained woodwork and the granite scratches, ha! Susan ~
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What type of caulk to use.....
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Comments (6)
The 100% silicone caulk (eg, GE brand) performs amazingly in wet areas for superior water resistance and adhesion. Paint will not stick to it. It does have a learning curve to apply it though - for any homeowners using it, watch some youtube videos for help. I personally like the 'windex trick' as well as using clorox wipes for cleanup instead of dry paper towels. The only problem I have found with silicone is it gets dusty and seems to stay a bit moist/tacky, so for ease of cleaning purposes, I wouldn't use it outside of the actual wet areas. For that yes you want paintable caulk, I usually get the longest life kitchen/bath caulk. After looking at your pics a bit more thoroughly, it looks like you should be alright with some quality paintable bath caulk, it will probably say 'siliconized' on the label, but you do want paintable. Even if you don't end up painting it, it won't retain that tackiness and be easier to clean.
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Need advice! Which caulk color where counter meets wall/tiles?
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Usually the caulk matches the grout. It would be grouted in that area, but the change in planes (the countertop is perpendicular to the backsplash) means that there will be more movement because of the way houses move. If it was grouted, the grout would crack because it is not flexible. Caulk is flexible, so it can withstand the normal movement of a house better - less chance of cracking, though eventually it may also crack and need to be replaced - one of the normal maintenance things one has to do around the house.
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I've been experimenting with ways to preserve opened tubes of caulking/ sealants. The latest thing that I've tried is resealing the nozzle/ spout with a bit of aluminum foil tape--the tape that is used for sealing dryer ducts. Clean the nozzle and wrap a small strip of the tape (about an inch plus) around it and seal the tape to itself on the end past the nozzle. Appears to be working much better than anything else that I've tried. Bit of a bear to remove (scoring the tape along the side of the nozzle with a razor knife works best).
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
10 months ago
Axiom Translucent White please. Mask off the ceiling as silicone is unpaintable.
Mary Elizabeth
10 months ago
Buy a really good caulk gun - like this:

Amazon.com: Dripless Inc. ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun : Tools & Home Improvement

Tape off a straight line using yellow frog tape on both sides.

For silicone caulk, dip you finger in rubbing alcohol to smooth.

Practice first.
HU-149305700
Original Author
10 months ago
ok, that's a different suggestion.

may i ask why translucent white? is it because the translucent finish allows the two colored surfaces to blend a little?
Jennifer Hogan
10 months ago
Anytime you are painting or caulking a vertical surface (Wall) and changing color at the ceiling you want the wall color to encroach the ceiling vs the ceiling color encroaching on the wall.

Your eye does not see a hairline edge on the ceiling, but that same hairline edge screams at you when you see it on the wall.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
10 months ago
"may i ask why translucent white? is it because the translucent finish allows the two colored surfaces to blend a little?"

That's a fair statement.
HU-149305700
Original Author
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
so far,

The majority says (including my friends) to - tape and encroach on the ceiling by using the silicone calking the manufacture has, that matches their grout and color your using on the wall tile.

I agree. And it just so happens i have the silicone calking that matches the grout.

When you walk into a room you normally see/notice a wall not a ceiling. So, encroaching on the ceiling is less noticeable.

I also think the translucent color silicone idea can work for those who prefer to defuse the contrast a bit between the wall and ceiling colors.

Thanks for all your ideas and suggestions.

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