Foams

Expanding foam fills and insulates gaps around windows, doors, pipework and cavities, and is a staple for installers fitting frames, plumbers sealing pipe runs, and general maintenance and repair work. This collection sits within our wider Sealants & Adhesives range, and covers hand-held cans for smaller jobs through to gun-grade foam for bigger fills. The foam guns for applying gun-grade foam are stocked separately. Where a job is safety-critical, our fire-rated foam range covers that specific requirement.

The handheld options include Fischer B3 Triple X Expanding Hand Held Foam 670ml and Soudal Hand Held Expanding Foam 750ml, both applied straight from the can using the supplied nozzle. For gun-grade application, there's Fischer General Purpose Gun Foam 750ml and Soudal Expanding Foam Gun Grade 750ml for general gap-filling, plus two window and door specific formulations for tighter control around frames: Soudal Soudafoam Window & Door Expanding Foam Gun Grade 750ml and the airtightness-focused Soudal Soudafoam SWS Window & Door Air Tightness Foam 750ml. Parafoam Flexible NBS Gun Grade Closed Cell Foam 750ml is a flexible, closed-cell option for movement joints and similar applications. For fire-related applications, there's Soudal Gun Grade Foam Fire Rated 700ml and Soudal Hand Held Fire Rated Foam 700ml - check the product spec or speak to our technical advice team to confirm suitability before using either on a fire-rated or otherwise safety-critical application. Also in this range is Soudal Soudabond Gun Grade Polyurethane Adhesive 750ml, a gun-grade PU adhesive for structural bonding rather than gap-filling. 

Click & Collect is available from our Belfast and Ballymena trade counters; Ballymena ready the same day, Belfast by 1pm the next day, and orders placed before 1pm Monday to Friday go out the same day. Free delivery applies to UK Mainland, N. Ireland and ROI orders over £89 inc VAT.

Choosing The Right Foam

• Filling a small gap or one-off job? A hand-held can, such as the Fischer B3 Triple X or Soudal Hand Held Expanding Foam, needs no separate gun.
• Fitting several frames or doing a larger fill? A gun-grade foam gives more control and less waste over multiple applications — you'll need a foam gun to apply it.
• Fitting a window or door frame specifically? The Soudal Soudafoam Window & Door range is formulated for that job, including an air-tightness-focused option.
• Working on a fire-rated or otherwise safety-critical opening? Check the individual product spec or speak to our free technical advice team before choosing a fire-rated foam — don't rely on general foam for a fire-rated application.
• Bonding rather than filling a gap? Soudal's Soudabond Gun Grade Polyurethane Adhesive is a structural adhesive, not an expanding gap-filler.

FAQs

What is expanding foam used for?

Expanding foam is used to fill and insulate gaps around window and door frames, pipework, cavities and other openings. It expands to fill the space and, once cured, provides thermal and acoustic insulation.

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

Hand-held foam is applied straight from the can using the supplied nozzle and suits smaller, one-off jobs. Gun-grade foam is designed to be used with a foam gun, which gives more precise control over the amount dispensed and is better suited to larger jobs or repeated use.

How long does expanding foam take to dry?

This depends on the specific product, the size of the fill, and site conditions such as temperature and humidity, so check the individual product listing for guide times. As a general rule, foam skins over within an hour or so, but it takes considerably longer to cure fully through.

Is expanding foam waterproof?

Some formulations offer water resistance once fully cured, though this varies by product. Check the individual listing or consult our technical advice team before relying on a specific foam in a wet or exposed location.

Is expanding foam fire-rated or flammable?

Standard expanding foam is not fire-rated. If a job requires a fire-rated foam, check the individual product specification or speak to our technical advice team to confirm it's suitable before use - don't assume a general-purpose foam meets a fire-rating requirement.

How do I remove expanding foam from my hands or a surface?

Uncured foam can usually be wiped away before it sets; once cured, it generally needs to be cut or scraped away, as it won't dissolve with water. Check the individual product listing for any manufacturer guidance, and take care around surfaces that could be damaged by scraping.

Can Ace Fixings help me choose the right foam?

Yes. If you're unsure whether you need a handheld or gun-grade can, a general-purpose or window & door formulation, or a fire-rated product, our free technical advice team can help you choose.