The 2024 Buyer's Guide for Foaming Spray Guns

Whenever you’re looking to buy equipment for your business, you want value. There is a trade-off between cost and quality, but overspending wastes money, while underspending may cost you jobs.

One place where you do not want to skimp is your foam insulation spray gun. Since the chemical reaction between the A and B materials occurs in the spray foam gun, you cannot afford to overspray, under-spray, or clog. Clogs may force you to shut down a project for maintenance—costing you time and money.

So, how do you choose the right foam insulation spray gun? This guide will detail the key items you need to consider.

Foam Compatibility

Understand the specifications of the spray foams you expect to apply before purchasing a gun. While some multi-purpose units handle both open and closed-cell foam, others are formulated for a specific type. Using an incompatible gun risks uneven spray patterns and poor foam quality, which is sure to frustrate your team and your customers.

Chamber Size

A foam insulation spray gun’s chamber size will determine the volume of the sprayed material. A larger chamber can handle more volume but can also cause extra wear on equipment.

Proper foam spraying requires finding the right balance between control and pace. Maintaining control of the spray gun is crucial, but working too slowly disrupts your rhythm and consistency. Moving at an excessively quick speed can cause arm fatigue and potentially cause long-term arm, elbow, and wrist injuries. The right size chamber for the jobs you do can make a big difference in quality and longevity.

Maintenance Requirements and Downtime

Downtime means your equipment is not generating revenue. Worse, it is likely costing you money.

Complex maintenance routines reduce contractor productivity with frequent cleaning and part replacement. Easy-access compartments that enable quick purging and cleaning between jobs or during jobs will minimize the expensive dried foam buildup that ruins equipment.

Stocking extra O-rings, nozzles, and key parts reduces downtime from basic repairs when out in the field.

Types of Foam Insulation Spray Guns

There are three different kinds of spray foam guns. Each operates slightly differently when purging foam from the chamber:

• Mechanical purge spray foam guns have a valving rod that slides in and out of the chamber when you trigger the gun. 
• Air purge spray foam guns use a mixing chamber that moves back and forth to line up the side seals and then provides air blasts to keep material from curing in the mixing chamber.
• Liquid purge spray foam guns flush out the mixing chamber with cleaning solvents. Some models add a drop of solvents with each spray to minimize cleaning.

Ergonomic Design

A foam insulation spray gun’s comfort and handling receive less attention than GPM or PSI. Yet contractor fatigue from awkward, heavy guns produces inconsistent applications and safety issues.

Seek guns with comfortable, non-slip grips that counter chronic operator strain during long jobs.

Adaptable Spray Patterns
Some guns feature interchangeable nozzles or adjustable settings, allowing both wide spray and precision spot application. This versatility handles diverse job types better than fixed-pattern units optimized for open spaces or crevices alone. Adaptable guns help control overspray and wasted materials.

Choosing the Best Spray Foam Gun

Cost is always a concern, but focus first on durable spray equipment with features that are right-sized for the type of jobs you do. With the right spray foam gun, you will increase the operator's efficiency, job quality, and flexibility relevant to your contracting scale and applications. The wrong choice will be a problem down the road, regardless of how much you save upfront.

Intech Equipment & Supply has a full lineup of spray foam guns from the industry’s top manufacturers, like Graco, PMC, and Carlisle. The team at Intech Equipment & Supply has decades of experience in the spray foam industry and can help you find the right setup for your contracting business.

Contact Intech Equipment & Supply at 866-652-9975 or contact us online today to find the perfect-fit foam insulation spray gun for optimal results.

About Kevin Malone
Kevin Malone is a leading expert in the spray foam insulation industry with 34 years of experience in spray foam fluid handling and a passion for innovation. He currently offers his extensive knowledge to Intech Equipment and Supply customers by supporting them in selecting quality spray foam equipment to optimize their business. Learn more about Kevin here.