Here's some helpful advice from the experts at the Paint Quality Institute as to how you can put this relatively inexpensive and easy-to-apply product to use around your home:

Interior Finishing

Do you think of caulk as an exterior product only? Think again. Contractors often use caulk inside the home to give rooms a visually pleasing, "finished" look.

In virtually every home, there are gaps where molding contacts the walls or where two pieces of molding come together. Since most paints will not fill gaps larger than 1/16", contractors seal these spaces with caulk, which is easier to use than either wood filler or spackle when you plan to paint over the molding.

Here are some of the places to apply caulk for finishing purposes:

• around crown molding, chair rails and baseboards;
• around door and window frames;
• in mitred corners (gaps where two pieces of molding come together at an angle)
• to fill small wall cracks.

Caulk is used to protect the kitchen, bath and laundry from the damaging effects of water. Water seeping down into the walls, wallpaper, cabinets and floors can result in thousands of dollars of damage. But by sealing with caulk, you can create a waterproof barrier that is also attractive.

Areas in the kitchen that will benefit from caulking include:

• where the countertop meets the splashboard;
• where the splashboard meets the wall; and
• where the sink meets the countertop.

Exterior Weatherproofing

Caulk is used on the home's exterior to seal out moisture and outside air; at the same time, it helps keep costly heat and air conditioning indoors.

Were it not for the tight moisture barrier created by caulking, rain and snow could seep into gaps and joints, causing wood to rot and paint to blister.

Areas that may need exterior sealing include those where:

• window and door frames meet siding or an exterior wall;
• wood panels come together around window and door frames, especially where vertical frames contact the sill plates;
• different types of building materials meet, e.g. wood siding against brick;
• siding meets foundation;
• wood, vinyl or aluminum siding forms corner joints;
• gaps and cracks are present in siding, stucco, masonry or foundation; and
• there are vent ducts, air conditioners, and openings for plumbing or wiring.

With so many potential uses for caulk, how do you decide which one to buy?

While certain caulks are formulated for specific applications, a top quality water-based all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk will perform well almost anywhere, according to the Paint Quality Institute.

The acrylic polymer in these products enables them to adhere tightly to most surfaces, so they have excellent durability both inside and outside the home. They also are very flexible, which permits them to tolerate some movement without cracking.

Top quality water-based all-acrylic and siliconized acrylic caulks also are formulated to have excellent resistance to dirt pickup and mildew. They have low odor, come in a variety of colors, are paintable and are easy to work with (after applying the caulk, just smooth with a wet finger and let dry).

Whenever you purchase a caulk or sealant, be sure to insist on a top quality product, say the experts. Higher quality caulk costs only 50 cents to a dollar more per tube, yet it lasts much longer and performs much better than a lower priced sealant.

For more advice on identifying top quality all-acrylic or siliconized. acrylic sealants, the Paint Quality Institute recommends that you ask for assistance at your local home center, hardware store, paint store or decorating center.