I’m to the point of needing to install the (blue or pink) foam ontop of the benchwork. I checked Home Depot and Lowes and they only carry the 2 ’ x 8 ’ x 2 ‘’ sheets at both stores. This is priced at $15.35 per sheet. My last layout there were 4 ’ x 8 ’ sheets available. These were 1 " thick but I laminated 3 together for a very strong combination. Are 4x8 sheets still made or am I stuck with buying approx. $67.00 worth of 2 ’ x 8 ’ x 2 " foam? There is also 2 ’ x 8 ’ x 1 " which is $8.57 per sheet. Soooo, if I want the 3 " I used the last time,my grand total would be $95.68. This is a whole lot more than I expected to pay for my foam top. Am I looking at the wrong places for the purchase or is that the norm for the foam layer ontop of the benchwork?
Try a place that is mostly a lumber yard as opposed to the big box stores. I don’t know where you’re at, so I can’t help with an exact store, but when I lived in Michigan, I bought mine at Carter Lumber. I did just by a 4’ x 8’ x 1" sheet here in Minnesota a few months ago at Menards, another “big box” store.
It depends on what part of the country you live in. Here in the northland, foam is a common construction material, and comes in many thicknesses, and all in 4x8 sheets.
You aren’t in California by chance? Foam is appearently very difficult to find there. Home Depot stores in my area carry full sheets of Owens Corning (pink). Try asking at the contractor desk. It may be special order where you live.
Yes they still make it, but Home Depot around here also only carries the 2x8 sheets, but in 4 thicknesses. Works ok for me since my layout is more of a shelf-type and the 2’ wifth is plenty for almost every area. Other places will be even narrower.
One place to check is someone who does concrete work - there is a version of the extruded foam that is used for insualtion around foundations. It’s probably more expensive though, as it is also much stronger than the in-wall type sold at Home Depot.
–Randy
I reciently saw foam sheets at a Lowes neer me. am at the same step as you in layout construction. for a 8’ x 4’, 2" sheet it was like $10.
We have a Building center here called Rona, they sell 1/2 in. through 2in.
Insulation supply houses as rrinker said may be your best bet.
Rona`s 4x8x1 was $9.99
Good luck
Try an insulation distribution company or warehouse, not one of the big box stores. I live in Houston and I was able to find all thicknesses of the Dow brand of foam even though I’m in a warm climate. I found it in 1/2", 1", 2", and 4".
I just looked in in the Yellow pages on line for a dsitributor. I don’t remember the exact cost of each sheet, but I do remember that I got more than enough of the foam board for a 11’x14’ bedroom sized layout for under $60.
You’re lucky…I can only find 1/2" and occasionally 3/4" in Jacksonville. By the way, gluing together four 1/2" boards actually makes a stack of 2 1/4" tall. I may have bought some retarded boards though.
Consider yourself pretty lucky, the Dow Corning foam on my layout ran over $500.00 to cover 7’ by 12’ area. The drawback of living in the Southwest I guess. [:D]
Menards has 4x8x2" for about $2 less than HD or Lowes hre in the Chicago area. ($18 per sheet vs $20 per sheet)
Every time I see one of these Foam Threads, It almost never contains the method which works for me to get all my foam for free. Yes, FREE! The foam is used in building homes, right? Everyone has homes being built around them, right? I admit sometimes miles around, but drivable for free foam.
The contractors usually install all the foam in one to two days. So, here is what I do. When I see (foam) appear on the jobsite, I go and speak with the general contractor. I offer to pick up all the cut pieces of foam, if he agrees that I may have them. Everyone of them, ask why (Like, I am Crazy or Something), I tell them what I am using it for, then they have all said something like, Sure, keeps me from having to clean it up. Sometimes, I even get a piece or two of uncut 4x8 because they didn’t need it and it wasn’t worth it to the general contractor save it or send it back.
Here is what you get. You get a lot of foam; some pieces are really nice size. Some are much smaller. Around here, it is usually half inch, but I have gotten some 2 inch before, and everything in between. But, I have found that I use nearly all of it, regardless of size or thickness. Now remember, you have to pick it all up, even if you don’t use it. That’s the deal for getting to keep it.
So, usually for about 30 minutes of light work, you can get enough foam for your particular project.