Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Bathtub Caulk: Latex or Silicone

I just installed a new, acrylic shower surround above my old, steel tub. Now I'm ready to caulk it. It seems that most caulk marked for bathtubs is latex, but I'm wondering if sometimes silicone is better. From what I understand, silicone lasts longer and is more flexible. The flexibility might be a plus in my old house as there seems to be a lot of settling. On the other hand, since silicone doesn't seem to harden up like latex, would it be harder to keep clean?

Some of my joints are acrylic to acrylic (corners), some are acrylic to the enamel on the tub, some are to a painted frame that goes around the enclosure, and one is to a granite window sill I installed.

Also, I have the hole for the tub spout and the shower valve escutcheon.

Suggestions?

GE Silicone II is probably the concensus. The flexibility is there, as well as a good retardant of mold, IF you apply it with all components DRY. Any moisture beneath the bead will give way and will also tend to grow mold. If surface mold occurs it can be cleaned with most any mildewcide, just apply it sparingly. I usually just get a rag wet and rub it on the joints, unless the mold is further out on the walls.

Thanks.

Is there any issue with using silicone up against latex? I used latex caulk behind the acrylic panels to fill the small gap where they meet the tub, so that the panel wouldn't push in there (to keep it flat with the wallboard).

There shouldn't be an issue with silicone against latex although if one fails it may loosen the other.

Be sure to use a bath caulk, they have extra mildewcide which will keep the caulk looking clean longer. I'm not sure if you can get it in silicone as they are usually latex based.

Do you pros usually caulk around the tub spout and escutcheon, or just underneath it before you screw it in?

Thanks again!

Apply the caulk/latex only on the top and sides of the escutcheons (dang, I have a hard time with that word.). Leave a drain/drip hole in the bottom for moisture to escape.

The pipe where it comes out of the wall/tile should be caulked if it isn't sealed with grout.

The outside is usually a job/customer judgement call. If you do caulk on the outside leave a weep hole at the bottom like Larry said.