Buying guide for BEST CAULKING GUNS

If you need to create a barrier against water, dust, or pesky insects in your home, caulk may be the answer. Caulk easily fills in gaps, joints, and seams around the home and hardens to form a nearly impenetrable barrier. Applying caulk can be a little tricky, but if you invest in a Caulking Gun, you can put it exactly where you want it without a mess.

Caulk is a latex or silicone sealant that comes in a cartridge or tube. A caulking gun is a handheld device that dispenses the caulk in a precise, targeted manner. To load the gun with caulk, you pull back the plunger. Once the caulk tube seal is broken, you hold the gun over the gap or joint to be filled and squeeze the trigger. The pressure and speed with which you operate the gun determine how much caulk is dispensed.

Choosing a caulk gun may seem a bit daunting because there are so many on the market. We can help. In this buying guide, we compare the different types of caulking guns and highlight several interesting features you may appreciate. Read on for more information about caulking guns.

Caulk gun types

Manual caulking guns

A manual caulk gun has a rod that pushes into the caulk tube to squeeze the caulk out. Some manual caulk guns have a serrated ratchet rod that moves up a notch every time you squeeze it. These are usually the most affordable caulking guns. They`re best for smaller projects because they can make a mess if the pressure inside the tube isn`t released. Other manual caulking guns have a smooth rod that only requires you to push a lever at the back to reduce the pressure inside and prevent a mess.

Electric caulking guns

To operate an electric caulking gun, you simply press the trigger to dispense the caulk. Because there`s a cord, you`ll need to work near an outlet. Note that the cord can sometimes get tangled while you`re working. For this reason, you might prefer a battery-powered caulking gun.

Battery-powered caulking guns also run on electricity, but they`re cordless with a rechargeable battery. Conveniently, you don`t need to work near an outlet, but if you`re tackling a large caulking job, you may need an extra battery.

Pneumatic caulking guns

This type of caulking gun requires no battery or cord. Instead, a compressor generates enough air pressure to force the caulk out of the tube. If you already own an air compressor, a pneumatic caulking gun can be a good option.

Material

A caulking gun may be made of plastic or a lightweight metal like aluminum. Plastic guns cost less than metal ones and are fairly durable, but metal guns tend to be even more reliable.

Pressure ratio

If you`re working on a large caulking project, your hands can get tired from pressing the trigger. That`s why it`s essential to consider a gun`s pressure ratio, also known as its thrust ratio. The ratio indicates how much force is created when you press the trigger. A gun with a higher pressure ratio generates more force; you don`t need to press the trigger as hard to dispense caulk. You`ll definitely need a gun with a high-pressure ratio if you`re using thick caulk or sealant, which is harder to get out of the gun.

Pressure ratios for caulking guns range from 3:1 to 28:1. Those with a lower ratio work well for water-based caulk, but you`ll want a higher pressure ratio for thicker caulk, such as epoxy sealant.

FEATURES

Dripless

Caulking can be messy, which is why you may want to invest in a drip-less caulking gun. The smooth rod inside this type of gun doesn't generate as much pressure as a ratchet rod. Instead, the pressure is released as soon as you take your finger off the trigger, preventing caulk drips.

Frame type

The frame of a caulking gun may be closed or open. Closed-frame guns are usually heavy and bulky, which means your hand can get fatigued pretty quickly. Open-frame guns are much lighter and easier to manipulate.

The third type of frame is a revolving frame. With this type of gun, you only have to rotate the frame - not the entire gun. This makes it easier to caulk around corners without any lumps or gaps.

Handle

A caulking gun with a rubberized handle feels good in the hand and helps prevent fatigue. The handle is a particularly important consideration if you`re buying a Manual Caulking Gun because you have to use more pressure to get the caulk out, so your fingers can tire more quickly.