Caulking is often discussed as a single trade, but the approach changes drastically depending on whether you work on a single-family home, a condominium, or a commercial building. Volume, access, schedules, product choices, regulatory constraints: each context has its rules. We cover all three — here's what actually sets them apart. For the board-decision-maker angle, see also our dedicated condo guide.
Residential: the single-family home
This is the most flexible context. A single owner decides, plans on their own schedule, and windows are typically accessed with a ladder or small scaffolding. Most joints are reachable from the ground or a balcony.
Typical characteristics
- Volume: 30 to 60 cartridges for a full recaulk (10 to 20 typical openings).
- Duration: 1 to 3 business days depending on size.
- Products: mix of silicone (glass, wet rooms) and polyurethane (exterior, brick-to-frame).
- Decision: owner alone, often triggered by an energy audit or a visible infiltration sign.
Product choice for this type of job is detailed in our silicone or polyurethane article. And for expected lifespan, see how long caulking lasts.
Condominium: multi-unit
It's a hybrid context. Technically, the work happens on individual units, but the façade is a common area — so decisions go through a board, with an RFP, a resolution, resident communication, and often a multi-month plan.
What changes
- Height access: swing stage, boom lift, or rope descent from the 3rd or 4th floor up.
- Large volume: 200 to 800 cartridges depending on the building.
- Communication: residents must be notified (noise, dust, balcony protection).
- Scheduling: work often spans 1 to 3 weeks to cover all façades.
- Documentation: detailed quote, post-work report, often a longer warranty.
Commercial: offices, retail, industrial
This is the most constrained context. Schedules are tight, work often happens outside business hours or in the evening, and documentation requirements (insurance, safety plans, access permits) are heavier than in residential.
What's different
- Technical envelope: curtain walls, prefab panels, expansion joints between structural sections — high-performance polyurethane dominates.
- Access: almost always at height, with certified equipment and CNESST-certified operators.
- Business continuity: the business can't close — work is segmented to never block customer access.
- Traceability: sealant data sheet, batch number, documented install conditions — useful for insurance claims.
General regulatory considerations
Three rule categories stack up depending on context:
- Workplace safety (CNESST): any work at height or on scaffolding requires certified equipment, harnesses, and training.
- RBQ license: contractors working on a building envelope must hold the appropriate sub-category. Our RBQ license 5869-2401-01 is published in the site footer and detailed in the FAQ.
- Municipal bylaws: some Montreal boroughs impose time or access restrictions (lifts, trucks).
Our approach: both, no compromise
At Protek, we work on single-family homes in Longueuil or on the North Shore as well as on downtown condo towers and commercial buildings. The prep method stays the same (full old-sealant removal, drying, substrate-matched product), but site organization, access equipment and documentation adjust to context.
For all details — pricing, warranty, service areas, products used — see our FAQ or our caulking service page. Free quotes are available for every context.