I was at Home Depot today to see what the prices are on 2" foam board. They had Blue Foamboard which had what looked like a foil backing covering it. They also had pink foamboard, both had the same density. The pink came in 2’X8’ pieces, pink had no type of foil or anything covering on either side. The 4’X8’ blue foamboard was $29.25, while the pink 2’X8’ was $13.49, making it over $2.00 cheaper per 4’X8’. What I am getting at is, does it make any difference which type I use.
I prefer the “salmon” coloured foam. It has done me well. [:)]
Brent
The stuff with foil is going to be a real pain because of the foil. Use the pink.
–Randy
The pink {Owens COrning} at Home depot is what you want.
I’m not sure what the blue is at HD, becasue the blue at Lowes {Dow} Does NOT have a foil backing, and teh blue {without foil backing} is what you want at Lowes.
Prices between the two stores on the two items, I don’t know.
I buy the blue at Lowes becasue they are closer to me than HD.
My local Home Depots have the pink in all thicknesses. They do have a blue Dow product with foil on it. My local Lowes has neither pink or blue in any size, but they do have a green one in 2" thickness - this too is an acceptable type.
–Randy
And as a follow-up, how does the Woodland Scenics white foam board compare to the pink? I read in modeling book that the WS white was preferable if you have a hot wire cutter, but I can’t remember the reasons. Anyone have any pros/cons for this?
You can find foil faced fiberglass insulation also. It is an added heat reflector, definitely not needed on your layout.
The pink and blue are basically the same. One made by Owens-Corning, the other by Dow. I was told that one changed it’s formula slightly to improve sun resistance. For modeling purposes the only thing I have heard is that it does not scribe as well with a ball point pen to make such things as stone piers and walls. Sorry don’t remember which is which. Most of the stuff I have is older, so I don’t have to worry.
Good luck,
Richard
I’m not sure the WS white beaded compresed foam board is as rigid and supportive as the pink or blue. The pink or blue is extruded foam.
WS IS good for ON TOP on the base foam {blue or pink} {or plywood base} and the WS flexible risers and flexible inclines are great for carrying out inclines. {I believe the photo above has WS inclines on the pink foam to raise the track on the right side}
Cutting the WS beaded compressed foam is probably easier to cut with a hot wire cutter, but I have only cut the blue with the hot wire cutter and it cuts just as easy I think.
The hot wire cutter can be dangerous because of the noxious fumes any foam is going to give off when heated like that.
I’m using the pink 2 inch foam. Carves pretty easy and holds up well. Just sucked because I had to hack it down to 2x4 pieces to get it in my car lol.
The pink board is the way to go. The woodland scenics foam isn’t dense enough for scenery etc IMO. Their foam risers are good though.
Here is a good read on extruded foam, what it is and how to find it
http://www.layoutvision.com/id44.html
ratled
Because I get my foam out of dumpsters at construction sights, I use what I find. The green carves nice detail, but I only found it once. The yellow worked just fine. I found the blue came in at least two different densities. They both worked, though the denser carved harder but with better detail. I have not found any of the purple yet. I agree that the foil back is a nucence. For mountains I have used them interchangably.
I’ve been using the 1.5 inch Blue foam. It is dense and extruded. I chose it because it was in 2 foot widths so it was easy to transport without cutting. It is available at Lowe’s the only down side is that the sides are notched for placing between studs. Works well though.
Cheers, RustyKen