What to use instead of foam board?
Welcome to the forums. Ordinary cardboard and homemade foam board are two alternatives worthy of consideration. We carry poster boards, presentation boards, foam boards, and more at low prices.
Is foam board better than plywood?
Moisture resistance: pvc foam board remains unaffected by moisture and humidity, ensuring longevity and durability. While plywood struggles with moisture. It can swell, warp, and even rot, requiring additional treatments to maintain its integrity. Lifespan based on usage conditions indoor use: when used indoors, pvc foam boards typically last 10 to 20 years or more. Indoor environments protect the boards from harsh weather conditions, uv exposure, and temperature fluctuations.Not heat-resistant This implies that in environments with temperatures exceeding this range, PVC foam board can become soft and may even lose structural stability. Using PVC foam board in high-temperature conditions could result in material deformation, failure, or performance degradation.Construction: PVC foam boards used in construction, particularly for temporary formwork or cladding, can last 5 to 10 years in outdoor settings. However, in more protected indoor environments, their lifespan can be much longer, with some boards lasting up to 15 years or more.Indoors, you can expect 5-7 years of usage. Outdoors, you can expect a lifespan of around 3-5 years. We always recommend thicknesses of 5mm or 10mm for outdoor applications.
What’s the difference between Gator board and foam board?
Unlike foam board, which can be flimsy and not up to the task, gator board is designed to be strong, durable, and ready for anything. This is achieved from its materials – polystyrene foam that is sandwiched between wood fiber veneer (hard and sense) and melamine. As a result, gator boards are durable and unyielding. Gatorboard is notably more durable and solid in its construction than foamboard, yet maintains its printable surface and relative light weight. Foamboard is generally a temporary signage solution but gatorboard can be used for two years or more with proper care.Gatorfoam Board is a strong, lightweight and waterproof material that makes both a great working surface (it is excellent for stretching watercolour paper) as well as a great artwork support for pastels, painting and other media.
Is foam board waterproof?
While the surface of the foam board has a protective coating, we don’t recommend exposing the foam boards to moisture. Foam boards are not waterproof and can absorb water, which may lead to damage over time. The short answer is – it depends. In general, if the foam rigid insulation is installed correctly and sealed properly, a vapour barrier may not be necessary.
Can you paint on foam board?
Painting Foam Board The thinner you apply the paint, the better. Schedule yourself enough time to paint in thin coats, let it dry completely, and then continue. I use lots of spray paint and acrylic paint on my projects, and both work great on foam board. However, if you’re painting directly on foam board, too much paint can saturate the outer layer of paper and cause the edges to curl up and detach from the foam interior as it dries, so watch out for that.Solvent-based paints can damage the foam, so opt for water-based or latex paints.It’s important to note that only water-based acrylic or latex paint should be used on foam insulation. Acrylic paints hold their color longer than other options, like oil-based paint. We’d also like to point out that using flat or semi-gloss paint is best, as this hides any irregular areas of the foam much better.Painting foam board I use lots of spray paint and acrylic paint on my projects, and both work great on foam board. However, if you’re painting directly on foam board, too much paint can saturate the outer layer of paper and cause the edges to curl up and detach from the foam interior as it dries, so watch out for that.