I've wondered the same thing tbh. Worked with a guy last summer who insisted on using the expensive sealant every time, said it held up better against weather and UV. But honestly, I've seen roofs sealed with regular caulk that lasted just as long without issues. Maybe if you're in a super harsh climate it's worth it, but for most jobs, seems like overkill. Anyone else noticed a big difference long-term, or is it mostly just marketing hype...?
I've noticed the pricier sealants tend to stay flexible longer, especially on aluminum flashing that expands and contracts a lot with temperature swings. Regular caulk can get brittle over time, but honestly, if your flashing's installed properly, it shouldn't move enough to matter much. Makes me wonder—could the quality of installation itself be more important than the type of sealant used?
I've seen plenty of cases where even perfectly installed flashing still moves enough to cause issues down the line. Aluminum expands and contracts quite a bit, especially in climates with big temperature swings. Sure, installation quality is crucial, but dismissing the sealant type might be oversimplifying things a bit. I've had jobs where cheaper caulk failed prematurely despite careful installation. Sometimes spending a little extra on a flexible, high-quality sealant saves headaches later... just my two cents from experience.
You're spot on about aluminum's movement causing headaches down the road. I've seen plenty of flashing jobs that looked perfect at first glance but ended up leaking after a couple seasons. Installation matters, sure, but sealant quality is definitely underrated. Had a project last year where the homeowner insisted on budget caulk—guess who got called back after winter? Investing in a flexible, premium sealant really does pay off in the long run... learned that lesson the hard way myself.
"Investing in a flexible, premium sealant really does pay off in the long run... learned that lesson the hard way myself."
Been there myself—my mentor always says, "cheap caulk today means callbacks tomorrow." Curious though, anyone tried those newer hybrid sealants? Wondering if they're worth the extra bucks or just marketing hype...
