Type of Wood

[kylesreptiles]

Im going to build a rack for my snakes sometime this month and would like to know what type of wood is good to use and will last? Also if I go with plywood could the wood be stained or painted then sealed(meaning safe for snakes)? Thanks for any advice

[takagari]

for your fist question. "last" is relative you wont get the years from wood that you would get from a plastic rack

that being said, woods much cheaper.
The lightest option would be good both side plywood (pricey!) and then stain it.

give it a good seal. most people how ever use covered melamine. seal the ends. you should be able to get a few years from that but it is heavier.

I think i'm going to suck it up and have a plastic rack made. for my own sanity. lol

[kylesreptiles]

Thank you. Well my dad does cabinets and works with wood and said melamine would swell when i spilled water on it. I say when not if cause Im known for spilling their bowls.lol.

[takagari]

as long as you ensure the wood is sealed. i have built wood racks and have had mold on the wood.

remember the bottom of the shelves that are against the top of the container are exposed to a lot of humidity

Then again you could always get that melamine wrap and iron it onto really any wood

[kylesreptiles]

So then in that case it would probably be better just to go with melamine then?