What is the Caulk Yield for Teak Deck Caulking?

Our product specialists hear this question about caulk yield multiple times each business day:

How many cartridges of caulking should I buy? 

This question about our high-performance SIS 440 Teak Deck Caulking is our most common.

The answer: Caulk yield is dependent upon seam depth and width as well as user technique, and the package size.

SIS 440 TEAK DECK CAULKING

SIS 440 is available in two packaging sizes:

Cartridge – 10.3 oz (305 ml) and Foil “Sausage” – 20 oz (592 ml)


Award-Winning SIS 440 Teak Deck Caulking

LINEAR CAULK YIELD

We calculated the linear caulk yield (in feet and meters) to help boat owners, builders, and repair technicians. Then we created easy-to-read tables. These amounts include a waste factor of 25%.


IMPORTANT: The linear feet or linear meters yield per package varies by user’s technique. New users commonly caulk too heavily on a first job. It takes practice to develop the skill of seam filling.


For a printable version of the above charts, click here: CAULK YIELD CHART. Please share with your colleagues.


Proper “spooning” technique is critical to ensure seams are adequately filled with SIS 440 Teak Deck Caulking as shown in this demonstration

Remember that caulking is not only decorative but has multiple functions:

  1. Seals the deck to prevent liquids from penetrating the sub-decking area
  2. Flexes and contracts with deck movement
  3. Functions in all temperature ranges
  4. Resists degradation by chemicals and UV light

Further, SIS 440 Teak Deck Caulking is an award-winning caulk and a proprietary formulation. When we couldn’t find a product that met our needs for constructing and repairing decks, we developed our own formulation.

LEARN MORE…

For more tips from our expert decking installers, please read our 16-page Caulking Application Guide. This PDF document is printable.

Read additional articles about caulking and re-seaming in these blogs:

How to Assess Teak Decking Quality

How to Inspect Teak Deck Caulking & Seams

How to Recaulk Seams

Application Techniques for Gray and White Marine Caulking

MEET OUR PRODUCT EXPERTS


Rocky Salverio (right) and Eric Young (left) are ready to assist you with your next project!



For technical and sales assistance for marine decking products, please call or email:

941-756-0600 and press “1”

products@teakdecking.com


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May 26, 2025
Can I touch up sunken caulk after it has been applied incorrectly? Yes, you can apply additional caulk over areas that have settled after the initial application. Best Practices for Re-Caulking: 1. For Older Installations: If the existing caulk has been in place for an extended period and has fully cured or “seasoned,” it is best to prepare the seam before applying more caulk. The recommended method is to cut a shallow “vee” (V-shaped groove) into the existing seam. This increases the surface area for better adhesion. After veeing the joint, thoroughly wipe the area with a clean rag soaked in acetone, then apply the new caulk. 2. For Newer Installations: If the caulk was applied recently (within a week or two), the surface is still fresh and may not require veeing. In this case, simply clean the area with acetone and apply additional caulk directly over the low or settled spots. General Reminder: Regardless of the age of the installation, always clean the surface with a rag soaked in acetone just before applying new caulk. This ensures a clean, contaminant-free bonding surface and helps the new caulk adhere properly.
April 28, 2025
How To remove old caulking from your deck and & Re-Caulk your Seams
By Anella Alcott April 11, 2025
If you're planning to get a new deck on your boat, and you've chosen teak, a composite deck, or a cork alternative, this guide will walk you through the full process, from digitization and manufacturing to final installation so you’ll know exactly what to expect from start to finish. TEAK DECKS Digital Templating The first stage involves one of our technicians digitially templating the area using the latest in precise measuring technology. Our team digititally templates vessels all around the world. Engineering Our experienced designers are masters of creating beautiful and technically precise decks using CAD construction program, importing data provided by our digital templating team. Our designers’ exceptional ability to create visual symmetry ensures impeccable finishes and beautiful aesthetic decks. Manufacturing TDS panels are manufactured in our factory utilizing jigs that are adjusted to conform to the vessel’s shape. Teak planks of the required thickness and width are carefully hand inspected, scrutinizing each plank for grain orientation, mineral deposits, or imperfections such as a small knot. The planks are placed into the jig in such a way that the finished deck will have a uniform butt joint pattern. Creating a Watertight Barrier A phenolic or fiberglass backing is securely vacuum bonded to the teak, using our own epoxies that guarantee durability, flexibility, strength and reliability. The exceptional bonding strength, ensures your deck stands the test of time. After the epoxy cures, the newly formed panels are removed from the jig, and the seams between the planks undergo routing, cleaning, and caulking. Margin Trim Once the caulking is cured, the final step involves laying out the teak deck and laying all the margin trim. Upon completion, the finished deck undergoes a thorough quality inspection, ensuring it aligns precisely with the template. Transport & Installation The finished deck panels are placed in custom-made crates and then shipped and installed worldwide. Prior to the arrival of the new deck, the old deck is removed. Our installers inspect for any issues such as water intrusion, delamination, or corrosion on the vessel’s surface. If such issues are found, the areas are repaired before the new deck is installed. Caulking & Sanding Once the deck has been bonded to the vessel, it is time to caulk using our own proprietary, UV, and chemical-resistant caulking TDS SIS-440. After curing, the deck is then ready to be sanded. The entire deck is sanded with 36 grit to remove excess caulking, followed by 60 and 80 grit to enhance the look of the deck. COMPOSITE DECKS Digital Templating The first stage involves one of our technicians digitially templating the area using the latest in precise measuring technology. Our team digititally templates vessels all around the world. Engineering Our experienced designers are masters of creating beautiful and technically precise decks using CAD construction program, importing data provided by our digital templating team. Our designers’ exceptional ability to create visual symmetry ensures impeccable finishes and beautiful aesthetic decks. Manufacturing Every composite decking panel is custom made to perfectly fit the areas to be covered. The panels are delivered with completed seam pattern, sanded and ready to be glued down on most structural surfaces. In the case of SeaSole, the deck is installed using the “peel and stick system”. We use a combination of our TDS bedding and bonding adhesive, along with TDS two-part, flexible epoxy fitting glue, to secure the panels in place. The caulking in the seams is our TDS proprietary patented filler, an enduringly elastic, solid rubber polyurethane joint sealant. Our team will first carry out an inspection of the boat to identify the best application method for each area. Quality Control Once the caulking is cured, the final step involves laying out the composite deck and building all the margin trim. Upon completion, the finished deck undergoes a thorough quality inspection, ensuring it aligns precisely with the original template. Installation The finished deck panels are placed in custom-made crates and then shipped and installed worldwide. Prior to the arrival of the new deck, the old deck is removed. Our installers inspect for any issues such as water intrusion, delamination, or corrosion on the vessel’s surface. If such issues are found, the areas are repaired before the new deck is installed. C ORK DECKS Digital Templating The first stage involves one of our technicians digitially templating the area using the latest in precise measuring technology. Our team digititally templates vessels all around the world. Engineering Our experienced designers are masters of creating beautiful and technically precise decks using CAD construction program, importing data provided by our digitizing team. Our designers’ exceptional ability to create visual symmetry ensures impeccable finishes and beautiful aesthetic decks. Manufacturing Every cork decking panel is custom made to perfectly fit the areas to be covered. The panels are delivered with completed seam pattern, and ready to be glued down on most structural surfaces. Our team will first carry out an inspection of the boat to identify the best application method for each area. Creating a Watertight Barrier After the adhesive cures, the seams between the planks undergo routing, cleaning, and caulking. Installation The finished deck panels are placed in custom-made crates and then shipped and installed worldwide. Prior to the arrival of the new deck, the old deck is removed. Our installers inspect for any issues such as water intrusion, delamination, or corrosion on the vessel’s surface. If such issues are found, the areas are repaired before the new deck is installed. We use a combination of our TDS bedding and bonding adhesive, along with TDS two-part, flexible epoxy fitting glue, to secure the panels in place.
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