Making Better Estimates for Sealant Orders

It is important to pay attention to the details in order to manage quality and cost-control. Check out this sealant estimating chart to help you during the bidding and installation process.

How to use the sealant estimating chart

This chart provides an estimate of how many linear feet 1 gallon of sealant will fill on a specific joint width. The contractor can quickly determine how many gallons of product will be needed on the project. The total number is important because the contractor can make sure the order comes from the same manufacturing lot to ensure consistent color and density.

Contractors can also determine the packaging that best fits the installation. They can convert gallons in delivery styles such as tubes, sausages, and/or pails. Be sure to dig deeper into the details by ordering tubes for vertical installations and sausages for larger joint fills.

Sealant_Estimating_Chart

Size and Type of Product Packaging

When ordering large quantities and many types of sealants for a project, contractors may have options on the type of packaging in which the material is contained. The project type will help determine whether a contractor should use tubes for the sporadic touchups, or sausage packs, bottles, jugs, pails, and drums for more concentrated work.

Application

Another important check in the order process is application. There are two main operational considerations. Is the work interior or exterior? Will sealants be installed in cold temperatures? Take these into consideration when selecting the material.

Equipment

As you review your order material quantity, it’s also a good practice to review your caulking gun inventory. Large projects might warrant investment in powered caulking units with changeable material containment units to help you place sealant quicker. Even a quick review of your manual caulking guns is useful. Learn more about caulk gun selection in this article.

Construction Worker Applying Sealant on Jobsite

Cost

It’s often more economical to purchase materials in the largest packaging that matches the project requirements. There is usually a lower cost/oz and often less waste from material left in the packaging after placement.

Reusability

One consideration is whether a portion of the sealant will be used now and the remainder saved for later. Products packaged in containers that can be resealed, such as tubes and cartridges with removable tips/caps, can be more easily reused.