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Professional Guide

Best Decorators Caulk for Skirting: 2025 Expert Review

DJ

DR Joinery

Expert Joiner & Bespoke Fittings Specialist

Published 16 December 2025

Fitting skirting boards is only half the battle; the finish is where the real skill shows. In York's older properties, walls are rarely straight, meaning gaps between the skirting and the plaster are inevitable. This is where a high-quality decorators caulk becomes your best friend.

Unlike silicone, which repels paint and ruins finishes, decorators caulk is an acrylic filler designed to be painted over. However, not all caulks are created equal. Some shrink excessively, pulling away from the timber, whilst others cause the paint to 'craze' or crack if you do not wait days for them to dry.

In this review, I am sharing the products I keep in the van. We will look at a reliable budget filler, a trade-favourite multipack for larger jobs, and a specialist fast-drying option for when you need to paint immediately.

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Specs vs. The Real World

The Spec: "'Paintable in 1 Hour'"

The Theory

"Manufacturers claim you can paint over the caulk almost immediately after application."

The Reality

Whilst the caulk may form a skin, it continues to shrink as it cures. If you paint too soon with matt emulsion, the paint often cracks (crazing). For best results, I always leave it overnight if possible, unless using a specialist instant-paint product.

The Spec: "'Highly Flexible'"

The Theory

"The caulk will stretch with the movement of the house without breaking the seal."

The Reality

Caulk has limits. in older Yorkshire terraces with suspended timber floors, the movement can be significant. If the gap is larger than 5mm, caulk will likely fail eventually. In these cases, scribing the timber to the wall is the correct joinery solution, not filling it.

My Top 3 Recommendations

Three options to cover different needs and budgets

EVO-STIK Decorators Caulk White - 280ml - Low-Movement Crack and Gap Filler

Budget Pick
EVO-STIK Decorators Caulk White - 280ml - Low-Movement Crack and Gap Filler

EVO-STIK

This is a bread-and-butter product for many trades. It is inexpensive, widely available, and does exactly what it says on the tube. Ideally suited for standard filling tasks where you have time to let it cure properly.

Price£4.42 (at time of writing)
Drying TimeSkin over in 1 hour approx.
ApplicationInterior Only
The Good
  • Very affordable for small jobs
  • Easy to smooth (tool) with a wet finger
  • Can be sanded once fully cured (rare for caulk)
The Bad
  • Can suffer from shrinkage in larger gaps
  • Paint crazing can occur if painted too early despite claims

Installer Tip:

Cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle, keeping the hole slightly smaller than the gap you are filling. This forces the caulk into the gap rather than just laying it on top, ensuring better adhesion to both the skirting and the wall.

Priced at £4.42 at the time of writing

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Soudal Pack of 3 Decorators Caulk White Acrylic Gap Filler

Quality Choice
Soudal Pack of 3 Decorators Caulk White Acrylic Gap Filler

Soudal (ebuyergate)

Soudal is a brand you will often see in a professional joiner's van. This 3-pack offers excellent value for larger skirting projects. It has superior adhesion compared to cheaper alternatives, sticking well to the porous plaster often found in older renovation properties.

Price£9.99 for 3 pack (at time of writing)
Temp Resistance-20°C to 80°C
Gap Size1mm to 10mm
The Good
  • Excellent adhesion to porous surfaces like brick and plaster
  • Great value multipack for doing a whole room or floor
  • Smooth consistency makes it easy to gun out evenly
The Bad
  • Requires a standard caulking gun (not included)
  • Over-smoothing with too much water can dilute the surface

Installer Tip:

Have a bucket of warm water and a sponge ready. Keep your tools (or finger) damp but not soaking wet when smoothing. If you use too much water, you risk thinning the caulk and reducing its lifespan.

Priced at £9.99 at the time of writing

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EVO-STIK Instantly Paintable Decorators Caulk White

Problem-Solver
EVO-STIK Instantly Paintable Decorators Caulk White

EVO-STIK

The biggest frustration with caulking is waiting for it to dry so you can finish painting. This product solves that specific problem. It is formulated to be painted over immediately without causing the dreaded 'crazing' or cracking effect on the paint film.

Price£7.98 (at time of writing)
FeatureInstantly Paintable
TechnologyNon-Crack Formula
The Good
  • Can be painted immediately - massive time saver
  • Resists paint discolouration
  • Prevents paint cracking/crazing
The Bad
  • More expensive per tube than standard caulk
  • Slightly thicker consistency can be harder to tool perfectly flat

Installer Tip:

Whilst it says 'instantly paintable', I still recommend wiping it smooth and giving it 5-10 minutes to settle before hitting it with the brush. Use this for the final snagging list when you want to get the job finished in one visit.

Priced at £7.98 at the time of writing

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between decorators caulk and silicone?
This is crucial: verify the tube before you apply! Silicone is water-resistant and used for sealing baths, showers, and kitchen sinks, but paint will NOT stick to it. Decorators caulk (acrylic filler) is designed to fill gaps in woodwork and plaster and must be painted over. Never use silicone on skirting boards unless it is a pre-coloured silicone matching the floor, and even then, keep it away from the paint line.
Why does my paint crack over the caulk?
This is known as 'crazing'. It happens because standard caulk shrinks as it dries. If you apply paint before the caulk has fully shrunk, the movement of the caulk drying underneath splits the drying paint skin on top. To avoid this, use a high-quality caulk like the Soudal option and leave it overnight, or use the 'Instantly Paintable' Evo-Stik product.
How do I get a smooth finish on caulk?
Apply a steady bead along the gap. Then, wet your finger (some use a little washing-up liquid, but water is fine for caulk) and run it along the bead in one smooth, continuous motion. Clean the excess off your finger regularly. Do not keep going back over it, or you will create ridges.
My skirting gaps are very large, will caulk fix it?
Caulk is effective for gaps up to about 5mm. For anything larger, especially in wonky York properties, caulk will eventually sag or crack. For large gaps, we usually scribe the timber to fit the wall or insert a timber slip/packer before caulking. If the gap is massive, the plastering might need addressing before the joinery work begins.
Do I caulk before or after painting?
The professional method is: Prime the skirting -> Fix the skirting -> Caulk the gaps -> Fill nail holes -> Apply undercoat and topcoat. The paint helps protect the caulk and blends everything together for a seamless look.

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