Sealant Guns

About Sealant Guns

Sealant guns, also known as caulking guns or mastic guns, are essential tools for applying controlled beads of sealant, adhesive, mastic, and other viscous materials from cartridges or foil packs. Whether you're sealing bathroom joints, installing windows, filling expansion gaps, or applying construction adhesives on site, a quality sealant gun ensures precise, consistent application with minimal waste and professional-looking results. These versatile tools are found on virtually every construction site and in every tradesperson's toolkit, from bathroom fitters to window installers.

Modern sealant guns come in various configurations to suit different applications and user preferences. Manual skeleton frame guns offer lightweight simplicity for occasional use, whilst heavy-duty ratchet models provide increased thrust for thick materials. For professionals working on larger projects, cordless battery-powered sealant guns from brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Makita and Einhell deliver consistent pressure and reduce hand fatigue during extended use. Specialist variants include high-thrust resin guns for demanding adhesive applications and jumbo guns for large 600ml or 900ml cartridges.

The selection at Tooled-Up.com includes trusted brands such as Sealey, Roughneck, Everbuild, Tajima and Cox, ensuring you'll find the right tool whether you're a professional tradesperson requiring daily reliability or a DIY enthusiast tackling home improvement projects. From basic skeleton frame models to professional-grade cordless units, there's a sealant gun to match every budget and application.

Jargon Buster

• Thrust Ratio: The mechanical advantage provided by the gun's mechanism, typically ranging from 6:1 to 26:1. Higher ratios generate greater force, making it easier to dispense thick or cold materials without excessive hand pressure. Construction adhesives and grab adhesives typically require 18:1 or higher.
• Skeleton Frame: A lightweight, open-frame design without a barrel tube, allowing quick cartridge loading and compatibility with various cartridge sizes. Ideal for general-purpose work and frequent cartridge changes, though offering less cartridge support than enclosed barrel designs.
• Ratchet Mechanism: A stepped advancing system that pushes the plunger incrementally with each trigger squeeze. Provides controlled dispensing and an instant drip-stop when you release the trigger, making it easier to achieve clean, professional beads.
• Smooth Rod vs Notched Rod: Smooth rod guns offer continuous flow with variable speed control, whilst notched rod (ratchet) models advance in fixed increments for more controlled application. Smooth rod guns are typically found on higher-specification models.
• Foil Pack Compatibility: Some guns accommodate both standard cartridges and foil packs (sausages), offering flexibility and often better value for high-volume users. Particularly popular with professionals using large quantities of frame sealant or construction adhesives.
• Anti-Drip Function: A mechanism that automatically retracts the plunger slightly when you release the trigger, preventing unwanted material flow and keeping your work area clean. Essential for overhead work and when switching between different areas.

Who Uses Sealant Guns?

• Decorators and Painters: Sealing gaps before painting, filling cracks, and achieving smooth finishes on skirting boards and architraves
• Plumbers and Bathroom Fitters: Applying sanitary silicone around baths, showers, basins and toilet pans for waterproof seals
• Window Fitters and Glaziers: Sealing glazing units, applying frame sealant, and weatherproofing installations
• Builders and General Contractors: Filling expansion joints, applying construction adhesives, and sealing external gaps on site
• Shopfitters and Carpenters: Bonding panels, filling joints in joinery work, and applying wood adhesives
• Roofers: Sealing flashings, applying roof sealant, and weatherproofing penetrations
• Facilities Maintenance Teams: General repairs, draught-proofing, and building maintenance work
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home improvements, kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, and general household repairs

How to Choose the Right Sealant Guns

Manual vs Cordless: Manual sealant guns are economical, lightweight and require no batteries, making them perfect for intermittent use. Cordless models like the Bosch GCG 18V or DeWalt DCE581 offer consistent dispensing pressure, reduced hand fatigue, and significantly faster application – ideal for professionals working with numerous cartridges daily. Battery-powered guns also maintain consistent flow regardless of material temperature or viscosity.

Thrust Ratio and Material Viscosity: Consider the materials you'll be dispensing most frequently. Low-viscosity silicones work well with basic 6:1 or 10:1 thrust ratios, whilst thick mastics, construction adhesives and cold-weather materials require higher ratios (18:1 to 26:1) or powered guns to maintain steady flow without excessive effort. High-thrust resin guns are specifically designed for demanding adhesive applications.

Frame Type and Build Quality: Skeleton frame guns offer versatility and quick cartridge changes, whilst enclosed barrel designs provide better support for the cartridge and cleaner operation. Professional-grade models from Tajima, Cox and Everbuild feature reinforced frames, comfortable grips, and precision-engineered mechanisms that withstand heavy daily use on site.

Cartridge Compatibility: Standard guns accommodate 310ml cartridges, the most common size for sealants and adhesives. For larger projects, consider jumbo guns accepting 600ml or 900ml cartridges, or combi guns that handle both cartridges and foil packs for maximum flexibility and economy. Foil pack systems can significantly reduce costs on high-volume applications.

Drip Control: Quality guns feature effective anti-drip mechanisms that retract the plunger when you release the trigger, preventing waste and keeping surfaces clean. This feature is particularly valuable when working overhead or on finished surfaces where drips would be problematic.

Popular Accessories

• Sealant and Mastic Cartridges: Silicone sealants, acrylic decorators' caulk, frame sealant, and specialist adhesives in various colours
• Nozzles and Applicator Tips: Angled nozzles for corners, extension nozzles for deep gaps, and specialist pointing nozzles for mortar work
• Sealant Finishing Tools: Smoothing tools, profiling sets, and remover tools for professional-looking joints
• Spare Batteries and Chargers: For cordless sealant guns, ensuring uninterrupted workflow on site throughout the day
• Sealant Remover and Preparation Products: Cleaners, primers, and old sealant removal tools for proper surface preparation
• Foil Packs (Sausages): Economical bulk sealant and adhesive for high-volume applications, compatible with combi guns

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a skeleton gun and a barrel gun?
Skeleton guns have an open frame design that's lightweight and allows quick cartridge changes, making them versatile for various cartridge sizes. Barrel guns have an enclosed tube that fully supports the cartridge, providing neater operation and better protection for the cartridge, though they're slightly heavier and may require more effort to load. Skeleton frames are more popular for general trade work due to their versatility.

How do I stop sealant dripping after I've finished applying?
Quality sealant guns feature an anti-drip mechanism that you engage by releasing the trigger or manually retracting the rod slightly. This relieves pressure on the cartridge, preventing unwanted flow. Always disengage pressure immediately after completing a bead to avoid waste and mess, particularly important when working on finished surfaces or overhead.

Are cordless sealant guns worth the investment for professional use?
Absolutely. Cordless models available from Tooled-Up.com, including the Bosch, DeWalt and Makita ranges, significantly reduce hand fatigue during extended use, provide consistent dispensing pressure regardless of material viscosity, and increase productivity when applying multiple cartridges. The initial investment typically pays for itself quickly through time savings and reduced physical strain on large projects.

Can I use the same gun for different types of sealant?
Yes, standard sealant guns accept any 310ml cartridge, whether silicone, acrylic, hybrid polymer or adhesive. However, you should wipe the gun clean between different materials and ensure any residue on the plunger plate won't contaminate your next cartridge. Some specialists keep separate guns for incompatible materials like silicone and acrylic to avoid adhesion problems.

What thrust ratio do I need for construction adhesives?
Construction adhesives and grab adhesives are considerably thicker than standard sealants, requiring guns with at least 18:1 thrust ratio for comfortable use. High-thrust models (24:1 or 26:1) or cordless guns make dispensing thick adhesives significantly easier, particularly in cold conditions when materials become even more viscous. Professional users frequently opt for cordless models when regularly applying construction adhesives.