Where to obtain styrofoam or foam board for diorama?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am building a 49 1/2" Long by 17 1/2 wide diorama.

Where is a good place to get 1" thick styrofoam board or foam board that thick that size?

Thanks,

Cowboyred

2

I get my white bead board at Lowe’s.

3

Depends on where you live. Styrofoam is a little different than white bead board. I get mine at any big box supply store. I hear it is more scarce in the south. Foamboard does not come that thick and does not make a great base in that it does not like water. There is a product called gaterboard which at 1/2 inch makes a great base and I get mine at an art supply store. It is pretty spendy.

4

Welcome to the forums!

My recommendation would be to get a 2’x8’ sheet of 2" foam insulation (pink or blue). You can cut your base out of the sheet and use the remainder for hills, etc. I recommend the 2" as it would be self supporting at that size. If you have to get 1", get a 4’x8’ sheet and glue your base from two pieces, use cheap latex caulk as an adhesive. You should be able to get it at a local building supply store, though as indicated above, some areas of the country it is harder to get.

Second, I would recommend you get two 2’x4’ sheets of 1/8" masonite. Use one for your backdrop, cut to the appropriate height. It would come within 3/4" of each end of your diorama. The second piece I would cut into strips to use as a facia to protect the edge of the foam, it dents easily. You could leave the top edge straight or cut it to the contour of your diorama.

Good luck,

5

I would recommend doing a search online. it’s every where (even here in Georgia) you just have to look for it. Searching online well save your feet and some gas. Foam-board or insolboard

6

Lowe’s or Home Depot should be able to help you out. Up here in the Northeast you can find that stuff on the shelf year round.

7

It will be in the lumber section. If you ask, don’t call it styrofoam, it’s insulation foam board It usually comes in pink or blue.

8

I was just at Lowes yesterday to by 1/2" foam board for my layout. They have “Dow” blue styrofoam in the lumber dept. in 1/2" , 3/4" and 1" thicknesses. And about $11.00 to $12.00 a sheet (4 x 8) in my area.