So I'm curious if anyone has opinions on canned foam for sealing small cracks and openings? For ex.ample, where the framers stood up two walls next to each other, the framing members at the end show a little light through them. Is "great stuff" the universal go-to product for this?

No. Invest in a $40 foam gun and several cans, or a case, of "gun" foam. The foam will last longer and the gun allows you to adjust the size of the bead. EFI.org is one excellent source. We use the PUR FILL 1G foam. Also buy a can of cleaner & use it so the gun doesn't clog up.

The 1-part gun foam in the screw-on cans is pretty much the same material as Dow Great Stuff (tm), and comes in a similar number of varieties. It's easier to apply using a foam gun than with the rinky-dink throw-away soda-straw finger-trigger nozzles, but if you only have a small amount of crack to deal with a can or three from the box store is fine. If you have a LOT of air sealing to do the gun foam is usually a better option- bigger cans, easier application, and since the guns valve at the tip you can just leave the gun on the can between uses when using only part of a can, and it'll still work fine the next day or even next week. (If it's going to be stored longer than that, pull the gun and run some cleaner solvent through it.)

On the throw-away cans you can get a decent shelf-life out of partially used cans if you insert a length of coat-hanger wire or bicycle spoke into the straw right after using it. When the foam cures around the wire the bond to the wire is better than to the polyethylene and it will come out pretty easily. You'll usually have to unscrew the nozzle from the can and pick away some of the hardened foam there, but it's pretty easy to clean it up again. If you don't take those measures it's usually a one-use & done deal, whether you used 10% of the can or 100%. I've been able to use cans that sat for 4-5 months with a coat-hanger wire after partial use. YMMV.

Dana's right. The advantage of a gun is that you will use more foam. Since you can use it easily and for smaller cracks and crevices, it's pretty simple to walk around periodically and close up random openings.

I usually keep 2 foam guns one with door and window foam and one with regular single part foam. I like the handi foam- but I have to go out of my way to get it so I usually use the great stuff brand from the orange box.

Much more control with a gun- but more cost also.

Cheers
Eric

This foam gun? Sounds like what you guys are describing.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STUFF-PRO-14-Foam-Dispensing-Gun-230409/202892513

This thing is $60. I'll all EFI.org tomorrow too.

I bought my gun and foam through Amazon. The local supply houses stopped carrying the foam. I have the same gun- currently $45 at Amazon. Home Depot is a lot more expensive on a lot of things. There are cheaper plastic guns out there, but I find the metal gun easier to clean. While I don't recommend it, I've left cans on the gun for 6 months without any problem. I'm not sure about this, but the window foam seems to stay more flexible when set than the regular foam. That flexibility might prevent the joint from cracking over time. Can anyone comment on this?

If you want flexibility and a better seal as gaps open and close, use silicon caulk or even better, gaskets or good tape.

Small cracks I am caulking with silicone. Especially around the bottom plate on outside wall. All silicone. Larger gaps I will need foam of course. I don't understand why the better ways of doing things are such a pain to acquire products. Intelloplus/membrain is not sold anywhere in a metropolitan area like Chicago. I have to order good window tape online. I have to order headlocks online. Certain hangers are special order. 1-1/2" XPS is special order. I have to order a foam gun and foam cans online...etc etc etc when will it end? What a pain. Yes, I feel better now. At least with each step done I get one step behind me.

"Home Depot is a lot more expensive on a lot of things."

I will drive past 5 Home Depots to go to a Menards, Ace or Lowes...they won't ever get another red cent of mine.

Might get this one. I'm just doing my one house, so I don't need one that I plan to use every week for years:

http://www.amazon.com/Fomo-Products-Inc-F61050-Dispensing/dp/B0026HEZRO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Seems to get good reviews. All positive and a good price.

whatever gun you buy, clean it regularly.
A lot if these products are not sold in stores because there is not enough demand. Order it from home & have it shipped to your home; simple.