Hello,
I live in Long Beach, CA and I am looking for the best foam board prodcut for my new N Scale project. I noticed that in cold weather areas the Owens Corning Extruded Foamular seems to be very popular. Is there a similar product that I can buy at one of my big box store out here?
Thanks
Dow and Corning make blue and pink extruded insulation styrofoam in sheets of various thicknesses and dimensions. It's not cheap. When you get up into the 1.5" thick and thicker it becomes quite stiff. You may have to order it, or drive to where you know they have a supply. Make some phone calls or check the websites of some potential suppliers. Maybe a local hardware/builders' supply store can order some in for you...won't be cheap.
If you go into Lowes or Home Depot and go to the contractor service desk, they should bring it in for you as it is part of their product line. Members from warmer climates on this and other forums have done just that. If you get a "we can't do that for you", an E-Mail to customer service should fix that. It is usually an employee that just doesn't know how to do it or hasn't done it before that will brush you off.
Good luck.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
There ARE non-chain suppliers out in the world.
A person could get on the telephone and call up local building supply and lumber yards and asking if they had it. If they say no, you ask if they can think of who might.
It's a thought.
Ed
I'm often puzzled by the fact that foam insulation (or perhaps any insulation) is easy to find in areas where cold weather occurs, either always or seasonally, but areas where the weather is hot, either seasonally or at most times, insulation (foam in this discussion) often isn't readily available. The use of it as actual insulation would cut down considerably on cooling costs, just as it does, in colder climes, cut down on heating expenses.
Wayne
7j43k There ARE non-chain suppliers out in the world. A person could get on the telephone and call up local building supply and lumber yards and asking if they had it. If they say no, you ask if they can think of who might. It's a thought. Ed
I have an independent building supply close to where I am. I can still get nails and/or screws in bulk for pennies on the dollar compared to what the big box sells for. Their lumber is way better and far cheaper as well. All their saw blades are naked hung on pegboards and you need to be careful taking one down or you will cut yourself. They are not sealed in hard plastic and overpriced for the privilege of being so.
The store has been here since this was a little farming community a hundred years ago, however people are now programmed to drive right by to the big box.
doctorwayneI'm often puzzled by the fact that foam insulation (or perhaps any insulation) is easy to find in areas where cold weather occurs, either always or seasonally, but areas where the weather is hot, either seasonally or at most times, insulation (foam in this discussion) often isn't readily available.
I've been told that the extruded foam is often used for under-floor radiant heat systems, which are pretty much non-existent in California. For the Original Poster, here are a few ideas for finding extruded foam board in California.
Be sure to call first before driving. Many Home Depot and Lowe's locations will indicate on-line that they carry the stuff, but in fact they don't stock it -- and the minimum order is a often a pallet-full in California.
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Wayne,
I totally agree with you, We, up here in the North, primarily insulate for warmth, however, in the heat of summer, we close the windows and doors to keep the heat out too. I think part of the problem may be cheap electricity. My wife visits a friend in the South and they have dirt cheap electricity. Sure wish we did.
My local hardware/building supply store brings the 2" in by the tractor trailer load.
Hope the OP finds some, I really like working with it, despite the static cling of the sawdust.
Good luck,
Richard
Just use the beaded foam. It is less likely to bend, only drawback is that you tend to need to cover areas with plaster cloth that are to be sceniced ( the cork or other roadbed or track can be glued directly to it).
Insulation in warm climate areas tends to be open batt fiberglass insulation in rolls often Kraft faced or encased in thin plastic. Most of the big box stores in Southern California don't carry extruded foam rigid insulation and will not special order small amounts of these products due to the very high likelyhood of damage in shipping (and resulting customer refusal upon arrival). It's one thing if the order is enough to insulate an entire building. It's another trying to order a couple of sheets of this stuff they have to squeeze into a truck with the rest of a regular order and hope it survives the journey.
There is one local hobby shop in this area that carries it but they want almost $50 a sheet for it. Thank goodness my layout models an area of reclaimed riverbed flood plain!
Hornblower
I just logged in to ask what the preferred foam board for a scenery base would be, and found this discussion. So, rather than opening a new topic, I thought that I might as well ask my question here!
I want to build a small town scene on a hill. I have used the type of foam board found at craft stores such as AC Moore and Michael's. I did do a small mine scene and used the AC Moore foam, which is about 2 inches thick and it worked well. I roughly formed the shape I needed, and then sealed it with an earth colored acrylic wall paint. Then I applied plaster cloth to make for a base for more advanced plastering detail. For my current project, I need to have it thicker, maybe about 4 inches thick. What would be a good bonding agent for the foam?.... something that can be sculpted, using a "surfoam" tool? I can get 2 pieces of the 2 inch and bond them, and maybe add some more if necessary. I intend to make the whole scene removable from my layout when and if that becomes necessary.
Thanks for any and all suggestions!