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Silicone vs Acrylic Caulk for Tubs and Showers
Short answer
Use 100% silicone around tubs and showers. It stays flexible, doesn't shrink, and handles constant water better than acrylic. Acrylic latex is easier to apply and can be painted, so it suits dry trim and baseboards, away from direct water.
How they compare
Silicone cures to a rubbery seal that holds its flexibility for years. Tubs shift slightly when they're filled and when someone stands in them, and that flexibility lets the bead move with the joint. It can't be painted, it needs mineral spirits or a remover rather than water to clean up, and it takes some practice to tool neatly.
Acrylic latex cleans up with water and can be painted, and it's forgiving to apply. It also shrinks as it dries and gets harder with age, which is why it cracks and lets go in a wet joint. Siliconized acrylic sits between the two, and it's better than plain acrylic, but it's still a water-based product in a place that's wet every day.
What to read on the tube
Look for "100% silicone" and a kitchen and bath rating that mentions mould or mildew resistance. "Siliconized" or "with silicone" on the label means an acrylic product with some silicone added. The mould resistance comes from additives, and it helps, but it can't keep up with a joint that never dries or a layer of soap film left on the bead.
Natural stone is a special case
Some silicones cure by releasing acetic acid, the vinegar smell you notice while they set. On marble and other sensitive stone, that type can etch or stain the surface, so look for a neutral-cure silicone rated for stone and test it somewhere hidden first.
Colour
White is the usual choice with white tubs and tile. Clear shows every bit of residue underneath it, so it depends on a perfectly clean joint, and it can look grey in a shadowed corner. Almond and grey match tinted tubs and darker grout lines. Caulk Control offers white, clear, almond and grey. Choose one when you book, or pick Not sure and we'll match it from your photos.