Note: This DIY article is provided as a general guide only and is not intended to take the place of product-specific installation procedures; always follow applicable manufacturers’ instructions. Depending on your home’s age and condition, location within the home, and other potential factors, repairs and/or upgrades or other services may be necessary prior to the beginning and/or completion of your project that may involve the services of a home improvement professional. This article does not include advice pertaining to local building codes and/or any related inspections.

Choosing the right sealant should feel simple, not like a chemistry experiment in your garage. When you understand how to choose the right sealant based on location, moisture, and movement, home upgrades become faster, cleaner, and far more reliable. This guide breaks down foam, silicone, and hybrid sealants so you can pick the right product for each project with confidence.

Before you decide how to choose the right sealant for a project, it helps to think through a few practical details about where and how it will be used. Focus on location, internal movement needs, and level of moisture exposure.

Insulating foam, silicone sealant, and hybrid sealant: the three main types of sealants explained

Most home sealing projects fall into one of three categories, and knowing which type you are working on makes choosing the right product much easier. Insulating foam, silicone sealant, and hybrid sealant each solve different problems and perform best in specific situations.

  • Insulating foam: Designed to fill gaps and voids rather than create a finished surface. It expands after application, making it ideal for deep or irregular spaces such as around pipe penetrations, vents, hoses, and behind wall openings. Foam is also excellent for blocking drafts and air leaks, but it is not intended to stay exposed to the elements.
  • Silicone sealant: Creates a flexible, waterproof, long-lasting seal that holds up well in wet, high-movement, or exterior conditions. It does not shrink, crack, or degrade easily, which makes it the best choice for windows, doors, bathrooms, and outdoor joints where moisture and temperature changes are constant.
  • Hybrid sealants: Combines the properties of both silicone and acrylic. Hybrids provide strong adhesion across many surfaces and have moderate flexibility. Most hybrids are also paintable sealants, which makes them useful for visible joints, trim, and mixed-material applications where appearance matters as much as performance.

What to consider before choosing a sealant

Before you decide how to choose the right sealant for a project, it helps to think through a few practical details about where and how it will be used. The first consideration is location. Interior joints around trim or baseboards have very different demands than exterior gaps exposed to rain, sunlight, and temperature swings.

Cracked sealant near a window.
Cracked sealant near a window.

Next, consider movement. Areas like doors, windows, and pet doors shift slightly as the house expands and contracts, so they need a flexible product that will not crack or pull away. Rigid fillers tend to fail faster in these spots.

Moisture exposure also matters. Bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor joints need a sealant that stays waterproof over time. A product that performs fine in a dry room may break down quickly in a wet one.

Finally, think about appearance and finish. If the joint will be visible or painted, you’ll want a paintable sealant. Taking a minute to match the sealant’s strengths to the job helps avoid rework later.

Common types of home projects and the best sealant for each

  • Doors and pet doors: These are high-movement areas that open and close dozens of times a day. Joints in these areas need flexibility so seals do not crack or pull loose over time. Silicone sealant works well for exterior door frames because it handles weather and movement. If the door trim is interior and visible, a hybrid sealant can also be a good choice because it stays flexible while allowing you to paint over it.
  • Windows and window frames: All benefit from a similar approach. Exterior window joints need a weather-resistant sealant that will not degrade in the sun or rain, suggesting silicone as a strong option. Inside, where appearance matters more, hybrid sealants offer a cleaner finish that blends into painted trim.
  • Vents, hoses, and pipe penetrations: These usually leave irregular gaps difficult to seal with traditional caulk. Insulating foam works best here because it expands to fill deep or uneven spaces around dryer vents, hose bibs, and plumbing lines. Once cured, excess foam can be trimmed and covered with a thin bead of sealant if the area is visible.
  • Kitchen and bathroom joints: Have high durability requirements as they are exposed to constant moisture and cleaning. Silicone sealant performs best in these wet environments because it resists mold, mildew, and water intrusion far longer than most alternatives.

The right GE products for the job

A lineup of GE products: GE Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam, GE Supreme Silicone Window & Door Sealant, GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door, GE’s Sealant Remover Tool, and GE’s Sealant Smoothing Tool.
A lineup of GE products: GE Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam, GE Supreme Silicone Window & Door Sealant, GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door, GE’s Sealant Remover Tool, and GE’s Sealant Smoothing Tool.

For filling irregular gaps and blocking drafts around vents, hoses, and wall penetrations, GE Gaps & Cracks Insulating Foam is designed to expand into voids that traditional caulk cannot reach. It is ideal for air sealing before finishing or covering areas.

For exterior joints around windows and doors, GE Supreme Silicone Window & Door Sealant provides long-term flexibility and weather resistance. It stays bonded through temperature changes and moisture exposure, making it a reliable option for outdoor and high-movement applications.

For visible interior joints where appearance matters, GE Pro Seal Max Window & Door offers a hybrid option combining good flexibility with paintability. It works well for trim, interior door frames, and mixed-material joints where you want a clean, finished look blended with surrounding surfaces.

GE tools to make sealing easier and cleaner

Even the right sealant works better with the right tools. GE’s Sealant Remover Tool makes it easier to lift old or failed sealant without damaging surrounding surfaces, which helps new material bond properly. GE’s Sealant Smoothing Tool shapes clean, even beads and presses sealant firmly into joints. Together, they’ll improve project consistency and leave you with less of a mess to clean up.

To get GE Sealants’ products for your home improvement project, visit these fine retailers in the U.S. or Canada.