I'm shopping around for foam insulation products for the base for a door-sized N layout, and I liked some 2x4' sheets I saw at Home Depot. These would allow me to have a partially modular setup, but it also needs to be a complete and sturdy unit when all pieced together. I figure 1x3 or 1x4 pine or something similar around the edges could hold the seperate pieces of foam together and act as a fascia also. I'm wondering what the best ways to attach the foam to the wood, and the foam to the foam. Thanks
Derek. Which Home Depot did you see that foam. Just before Christmas, I called all the Home Depots in the Sacramento area looking for foam but all they had was that white beaded stuff.
Derek,I would suggest that you use a good grade of 3/4" plywood for your fashia/framework. It may cost more to start but you will find it is more stable than the pine.In other words it won't warp and take on all sorts of interesting but unusable shapes. I would use Liquid Nails for projects (or a like product) to attach the foam and board.Just be sure to check that it is usable for foam. [ 20. September 2003, 17:07: Message edited by: Catt ]
Dick... I guess my location does say Auburn doesn't it... I just relocated to Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo and the Home Depot here had a very limited selection of foam products. They had some very dense yellowish-colored foil covered 4x8' sheets of material, and then the beaded stuff. I was actually considering using the 2x4' sections of the beaded balogna because I'd just be using it as a base without any need to cut or carve it. I'm planning on checking out some other local building supply stores though. I'm still kinda looking for the blue or pink stuff, which I've had trouble finding(?)--I'm a little bit hesitant about using the styrofoam.... I basically have no use of power tools here in the dorm so I'm trying to find only wood materials that they can cut at Home Depot or wherever. Some of the 1x3 moulding and cabinetry material (I believe it was oak) actually came pre-cut in several of the lengths I needed. Thanks
Another Californian wants to weigh in. Finding extruded foam insulation board seems to be fairly difficult, I've found. I live in the S. F. Bay area. I went to my local lumber yard and they were willing to order it for me. Just came in the other day. I'll pick it up tomorrow. Yipee. I have a friend in the Chicago area, and he says it's widely available there and he waits for it to go on sale (GRRR) I paid about $20 for 4'x8' of 1 inch thick board. Liquid Nails for projects (water based) is what you want for your job. Good luck with your project. Clifton Linton
Apparently on the West Coast we don't use insulation as often---I was talking to my dad who's a housing contractor---but the blue or pink stuff is often used under stucco here, making it difficult to find in typical home supply stores. I'm going to try to contact the stucco-supply sort of places and see what they think.
I had to find my foam from a bulk building materials type (one that contractors use) - NOT the home improvement stores! I would check around before settling on something less desirable.
