Expanding Foam Guns

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About Expanding Foam Guns

Expanding foam guns, also known as foam applicator guns or PU foam guns, are essential professional tools designed to dispense expanding polyurethane foam with precision and control. Unlike disposable aerosol cans with fixed straws, foam guns offer a reusable, adjustable solution that allows tradespeople to apply expanding foam exactly where it's needed, with minimal waste and maximum efficiency. These tools are invaluable for insulation work, gap filling, sound dampening, and securing fixtures across construction and renovation projects.

Our range includes everything from medium-duty metal foam applicator guns suitable for occasional use, through to heavy-duty professional models with Teflon-coated barrels for enhanced durability and easier cleaning. Leading brands such as Everbuild, Draper, Roughneck, and Sealey manufacture foam guns specifically engineered for the demands of UK tradespeople and serious DIY enthusiasts. Whether you're a builder working on site insulation, a window fitter sealing frames, or a general tradesman tackling multiple tasks, investing in a quality expanding foam gun will transform how you work with polyurethane foam.

Modern foam guns feature adjustable flow control, allowing you to regulate foam output from a narrow bead to a full discharge, whilst the trigger mechanism provides start-stop precision that aerosol cans simply cannot match. Many professional models incorporate quick-release mechanisms for easy cartridge changes and come with cleaning adaptors to maintain optimal performance between jobs.

Jargon Buster

• PU Foam: Polyurethane foam that expands on contact with air and moisture, curing to form an insulating, gap-filling material commonly used in construction.
• Teflon Coating: A non-stick coating applied to the gun barrel that prevents foam adhesion, making cleaning easier and extending the tool's working life.
• Flow Control: An adjustable mechanism, typically a dial or knob on the gun, that regulates the volume of foam dispensed from a narrow bead to full flow.
• Basket/Cradle: The threaded mounting section where foam cartridges screw onto the gun body, creating an airtight seal for foam delivery.
• Cleaner Adaptor: A fitting that allows aerosol foam gun cleaner to be attached for flushing residual foam from the barrel and mechanism.
• Gun-Grade Foam: Professional expanding foam cartridges specifically designed to attach to foam guns, offering superior capacity and performance compared to standard aerosol cans.

Who Uses Expanding Foam Guns?

Expanding foam guns are relied upon daily by a wide range of construction professionals and skilled tradespeople, including:

• Builders and General Contractors: For insulation work, cavity filling, and structural gap sealing on residential and commercial projects
• Window and Door Fitters: To seal around frames, eliminate draughts, and ensure weather-tight installations
• Insulation Specialists: For professional cavity wall insulation, loft work, and thermal bridging solutions
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: To seal pipe penetrations, insulate pipes, and fill voids around installations
• Electricians: For sealing cable entry points, fire-stopping requirements, and maintaining building integrity
• Roofers: To seal roof penetrations, fill gaps around roof windows, and improve thermal performance
• Carpenters and Joiners: For securing door frames, filling structural voids, and improving acoustic performance
• Property Maintenance Professionals: For repairs, draught-proofing, and general gap-filling tasks
• DIY Enthusiasts: Tackling home improvement projects including loft insulation, draught exclusion, and renovation work

How to Choose the Right Expanding Foam Gun

Selecting the appropriate foam gun depends on your specific requirements and frequency of use. Consider these key factors:

Build Quality and Materials: Professional metal-bodied guns like those from Everbuild and Roughneck offer superior durability for daily site work, whilst lighter-duty models suit occasional users. Teflon-coated barrels significantly ease cleaning and prevent foam build-up, making them worthwhile for regular users.

Duty Rating: Medium-duty guns are suitable for lighter applications and occasional use, whilst heavy-duty models like the Everbuild P65 are engineered for continuous professional use with multiple cartridges per day. Match the duty rating to your workload to ensure longevity.

Adjustability and Control: Look for guns with precise flow control mechanisms that allow fine adjustment from a narrow bead to full discharge. This versatility is essential when working across different applications, from delicate seal work to large cavity filling.

Cleaning Features: Models with easy-clean designs, quick-release cartridge mechanisms, and compatibility with standard foam gun cleaners will save considerable time and frustration. Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining performance and extending tool life.

Basket Thread Quality: Ensure the cartridge mounting thread is robust and precisely machined, as this creates the vital seal between cartridge and gun. Poor threads lead to leaks and wasted material.

Ergonomics: For extended use, consider grip comfort and trigger action. A well-balanced gun with smooth trigger operation reduces hand fatigue during prolonged application work.

Popular Accessories

• Gun-Grade Expanding Foam Cartridges: Professional PU foam in various formulations including fire-rated, low-expansion, and fast-cure options
• Foam Gun Cleaner: Aerosol cleaner specifically formulated to dissolve uncured polyurethane foam and maintain gun mechanisms
• Cleaning Brushes and Picks: Small brushes and needle tools for removing stubborn foam deposits from nozzles and valves
• Spare Nozzles: Replacement tips and extension tubes for reaching awkward spaces and controlling bead size
• Protective Caps: Storage caps to seal the gun between uses and prevent accidental discharge
• Gloves and Wipes: Disposable nitrile gloves and foam removal wipes for keeping hands clean during application
• PTFE Tape: For ensuring perfect thread seals on cartridge connections

Safety Information

Expanding foam guns and polyurethane foam cartridges require careful handling to ensure safe operation. Always wear appropriate PPE including safety glasses or goggles to protect eyes from accidental foam discharge, and disposable gloves to prevent skin contact with uncured foam, which can be difficult to remove and may cause irritation.

Work in well-ventilated areas as expanding foam releases isocyanates during curing, which can irritate respiratory systems. For enclosed spaces, consider appropriate respiratory protection in accordance with COSHH regulations. Never point the gun at people or animals, and always ensure the trigger safety is engaged when not actively dispensing foam.

Expanding foam is highly adhesive and extremely difficult to remove from surfaces once cured, so protect surrounding areas with masking tape and dust sheets. Store cartridges and guns away from heat sources and direct sunlight, as pressurised cartridges can be damaged by excessive temperature. Follow manufacturer guidelines for proper cleaning and maintenance, and dispose of empty cartridges responsibly in accordance with local waste regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean my expanding foam gun?

Clean your foam gun immediately after each use by removing the empty cartridge and attaching a can of foam gun cleaner to the basket. Discharge cleaner through the gun until it runs clear, then wipe the nozzle and basket threads. For guns that haven't been used recently, unscrew the flow control and clean the needle mechanism with cleaner and a small brush. Never allow foam to cure inside the gun, as this will render it unusable.

Can I leave a foam cartridge attached to the gun between uses?

Yes, this is one of the key advantages of using a foam gun. You can leave a partially used cartridge attached for several weeks, as the gun mechanism seals the cartridge and prevents curing. The foam in the cartridge remains liquid and ready to use. However, clean the nozzle tip before storage and check the gun is working properly before starting your next job.

What's the difference between gun-grade and standard expanding foam?

Gun-grade foam comes in larger cartridges (typically 750ml) that screw onto foam guns, offering better value, more precise control, and higher output than standard aerosol cans. Gun-grade formulations are often more consistent in quality and expansion characteristics. Standard aerosol foam cans have fixed plastic straws and are single-use, making them less economical for professional or frequent use.

Why is my foam gun not dispensing foam properly?

Common causes include cured foam blocking the nozzle or needle mechanism (clean thoroughly with gun cleaner), an empty or faulty cartridge (try a fresh one), incorrect flow control adjustment (open the control dial), or a damaged basket seal (check threads aren't cross-threaded or damaged). Regular cleaning and proper storage prevent most dispensing issues.

Do I need a different gun for fire-rated foam?

No, standard expanding foam guns work with all types of gun-grade foam including fire-rated, acoustic, low-expansion, and standard formulations. However, always clean the gun thoroughly when switching between different foam types to prevent contamination and ensure optimal performance of specialised foams.