Caulking Guns

About Caulking Guns

Caulking guns are essential tools for applying sealants, adhesives, and fillers with precision and control across countless building, renovation, and maintenance tasks. Whether you're sealing gaps around windows and doors, applying silicone sealant in bathrooms and kitchens, filling expansion joints in brickwork, or bonding materials with construction adhesive, a quality caulking gun ensures smooth, consistent application whilst minimising waste and mess. These versatile tools are designed to dispense viscous materials from cartridges or foil packs, with mechanisms that provide the steady pressure needed for professional-looking results every time.

Modern caulking guns range from simple manual skeleton frames ideal for occasional DIY use to sophisticated cordless power tools with electronic flow control for professional tradespeople. Manual options include standard ratchet-action guns for light-duty work, smooth rod sealant guns for superior bead quality, and high-thrust professional models capable of handling thick mastic, resin, and heavy-bodied adhesives. For high-volume work or materials requiring significant pressure, battery-powered caulking guns from brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and Einhell offer effortless operation, eliminate hand fatigue, and deliver consistent bead quality throughout the working day.

Our comprehensive selection includes guns designed for standard 310ml cartridges—the most common format for silicone and acrylic sealants—as well as 600ml foil packs and jumbo 900ml sausage packs for professional contractors working at scale. From budget-friendly Roughneck and Faithfull models for occasional use to professional-grade Tajima, Everbuild, and Cox equipment built for demanding daily site work, you'll find caulking guns engineered to match your specific requirements, trade applications, and budget.

Jargon Buster

Thrust Ratio

The mechanical advantage that determines how much force is applied to the cartridge plunger relative to your hand pressure. Higher ratios (such as 12:1, 18:1, or even 26:1) make it easier to dispense thick, heavy-bodied sealants, mastics, and construction adhesives with less effort, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.

Skeleton Frame

A lightweight, open-frame caulking gun design that's economical and allows easy viewing of the cartridge contents. Ideal for light to medium-duty applications and DIY work, though generally less robust than enclosed barrel designs used by professional tradespeople.

Smooth Rod

A non-ratcheting mechanism that provides continuous, controlled flow without the jerky, incremental motion of traditional ratchet guns. Smooth rod guns deliver superior bead quality with professional consistency, making them the preferred choice for decorators, bathroom fitters, and quality-conscious tradesmen.

Anti-Drip/Auto-Release Mechanism

A spring-loaded or automatic system that releases pressure from the cartridge when you release the trigger or complete a stroke, preventing unwanted sealant oozing and material waste. Essential for clean, professional work and reducing mess between applications.

Foil Pack/Sausage Pack

Flexible foil packages of sealant (typically 600ml or 900ml) that produce significantly less waste than rigid plastic cartridges and offer better value per litre. Popular with professional contractors and builders for high-volume applications, though requiring compatible caulking guns with specific barrel adaptors.

Variable Speed Control

An electronic feature on cordless models that allows you to adjust the dispensing rate digitally, ensuring optimal flow for different material viscosities and application requirements. Premium models from Bosch, DeWalt, and Makita offer this level of precise control.

Who Uses Caulking Guns?

Caulking guns are indispensable tools across numerous trades and applications:

• Plumbers and Bathroom Fitters: Applying silicone sealant around baths, showers, basins, and sanitary ware; sealing pipework penetrations
• Window Fitters and Glaziers: Sealing window and door frames, applying frame sealant, weather-proofing installations, and glazing applications
• General Builders and Construction Workers: Filling expansion joints, applying mastic to exterior brickwork, sealing construction gaps, and bonding materials
• Decorators and Painters: Applying decorators' caulk and acrylic sealants before painting, filling gaps in skirting boards, architraves, and coving
• Carpenters and Joiners: Using wood adhesives, gap fillers, and construction adhesives for joinery applications, fixing, and installation work
• Roofers and Cladding Specialists: Applying roof sealants, flashing tape, weatherproofing compounds, and sealing sheet materials
• Shopfitters and Dry Liners: Bonding panels, sealing joints, and applying adhesives in commercial fit-out work
• Maintenance Teams and Facility Managers: General repairs, weatherproofing, draught-exclusion, and ongoing building maintenance across properties
• DIY Enthusiasts and Homeowners: Home improvement projects, bathroom and kitchen updates, draught-proofing, and general household repairs

How to Choose the Right Caulking Guns

Manual vs Cordless: Manual caulking guns from brands like Roughneck, Sealey, and Draper are affordable, reliable, and perfect for occasional use or smaller projects where portability and simplicity matter. Cordless models from Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and Einhell eliminate hand fatigue completely, deliver consistent pressure throughout the cartridge, and are essential for professionals applying sealant throughout the working day or when handling particularly thick, high-viscosity materials that would otherwise cause significant hand strain.

Cartridge Size and Type: Consider which cartridge sizes you'll use most frequently. Standard 310ml cartridge guns are most common and offer the widest choice of sealant types and colours from suppliers. However, if you're a professional contractor working at scale on larger projects, 600ml foil pack or 900ml sausage pack guns offer significantly better value per litre and reduce interruptions for cartridge changes. Some professional models like those from Cox and Everbuild accept multiple cartridge sizes with simple barrel adaptors.

Thrust Ratio: For general-purpose silicone sealants and decorators' acrylic caulk, a 10:1 or 12:1 thrust ratio is perfectly adequate. For thick mastic, construction adhesives, epoxy resins, or high-viscosity materials, look for 18:1 or higher thrust ratios to reduce hand strain and ensure smooth, consistent application without excessive squeezing effort.

Build Quality and Features: Budget skeleton frame guns suffice for light DIY use and occasional home maintenance, but professional tradespeople should invest in robust smooth-rod guns with anti-drip mechanisms, rotating barrels for precise bead angles, and ergonomic grips designed for all-day comfort. Premium models from Tajima, Cox, and Everbuild offer quick-release cartridge changing, heavy-duty steel construction, and superior longevity on demanding sites.

Brand and Battery Compatibility: If choosing cordless caulking guns, consider whether the tool uses a battery platform you already own. Bosch 18v, DeWalt 18v XR, Makita 18v LXT, and Einhell Power X-Change models integrate seamlessly into their respective battery systems, maximising your investment across multiple cordless tools and eliminating the need for multiple chargers on site or in your van.

Popular Accessories

• Nozzle Applicators and Extensions: Angled nozzles, long-reach extensions, and precision tips for accessing awkward spaces, internal corners, deep joints, and tight cavities
• Finishing Tools and Smoothers: Profiling tools, spatulas, and silicone smoothers for achieving perfect concave beads and professional-looking finishes without finger marks
• Cartridge Seals and Caps: Reusable seals and caps to prevent opened cartridges from drying out and curing between uses, reducing material waste
• Sealant and Mastic Cartridges: Silicone, acrylic, hybrid polymer, MS polymer, and construction-grade mastics in various colours including white, clear, brown, grey, and black
• Foam Applicator Guns: Specialised dispensing tools for expanding foam in aerosol cans, used for cavity filling and insulation work
• Cleaning Wipes and Solvents: Specialist wipes and solvents for removing excess sealant from surfaces and cleaning tools before material cures
• Tool Belts and Holders: Holsters and belt attachments for keeping caulking guns accessible whilst working at height or moving around sites

Safety Information

When using caulking guns, observe these important safety considerations:

• Material Handling: Always read the technical data sheet and safety information for the specific sealant or adhesive you're dispensing. Some materials contain solvents or isocyanates that require adequate ventilation and may necessitate respiratory protection in confined spaces in accordance with COSHH regulations.
• Skin Protection: Wear appropriate gloves when handling sealants and adhesives, particularly with solvent-based products or materials that can cause skin sensitisation. Barrier creams offer additional protection for professional users with frequent exposure.
• Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles are recommended when working overhead or cutting cartridge nozzles, as material can occasionally squirt under pressure.
• Cordless Tool Safety: Remove battery packs from cordless caulking guns before loading or unloading cartridges, and during transport to prevent accidental activation. Store batteries according to manufacturer guidelines and never use damaged battery packs.
• Pressure Release: Always release pressure from the cartridge before removing it from the gun to prevent uncontrolled material discharge. Models with auto-release mechanisms simplify this process.
• Working at Height: When using caulking guns on ladders or scaffolding, ensure you maintain three points of contact and consider using belt holsters to keep both hands free for safe movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a skeleton frame and a smooth rod caulking gun?
Skeleton frame guns use a ratchet mechanism that advances the plunger rod in small increments with each squeeze of the trigger, whilst smooth rod guns provide continuous, progressive pressure for smoother, more controlled application. Smooth rod guns typically cost more but deliver superior professional results with less dripping, better bead quality, and more precise control—making them the preferred choice for decorators, bathroom fitters, and quality-conscious tradespeople.

Can I use any caulking gun with any type of sealant or adhesive?
Most standard caulking guns work adequately with common sealants like silicone and acrylic caulk, but thick, heavy-bodied materials such as construction mastic, bitumen sealants, epoxy adhesives, or high-modulus products require guns with higher thrust ratios (18:1 or more) to dispense effectively without excessive hand fatigue. Always check the sealant manufacturer's recommendations for viscosity compatibility and minimum thrust requirements.

Are cordless caulking guns worth the investment for professional use?
For professional tradespeople or anyone regularly applying sealant as part of their work, cordless caulking guns are absolutely worthwhile. They eliminate hand fatigue completely, provide perfectly consistent pressure throughout the entire cartridge, significantly speed up high-volume work, and pay for themselves through increased productivity and reduced physical strain. For occasional DIY use or light-duty applications, a quality manual gun from Roughneck, Sealey, or Everbuild is perfectly adequate and more cost-effective.

How do I prevent sealant from continuing to ooze after I stop squeezing the trigger?
Look for caulking guns with anti-drip or auto-release mechanisms that automatically relieve pressure from the cartridge when you release the trigger or complete a stroke. On manual guns without this feature, you can manually pull back the plunger rod using the thumb release, or on rotating barrel models, twist the barrel slightly to break the seal and release pressure. Professional smooth-rod guns typically have superior anti-drip performance compared to budget ratchet models.

What size caulking gun do I need for my work?
Standard 310ml cartridge guns suit most applications and offer the widest choice of sealant types, colours, and brands from suppliers. If you're a professional contractor working on larger projects such as new builds, commercial installations, or high-volume maintenance work, 600ml foil pack or 900ml sausage pack guns reduce cartridge changes significantly and offer better value per litre. However, they're bulkier and heavier to handle, and require more hand strength if using manual models, so cordless versions are particularly beneficial for these larger formats.