PVC vs Melamine

So I'm building my rescue bearded dragon a bigger cage. He is 3 years old and has been in a 40 gallon his whole life. It's going to measure 4x2x2 so I will only need one 8x4 sheet. I can get melamine for 35 a sheet and PVC 78 a sheet. Is PVC worth the extra cash? Besides weight what are other pros to PVC over melamine? What are some of the pros of melamine over PVC? I built my last 5x2x2 cage for my beardie out of cherry lumber from work but that was very time consuming so this will be much easier and faster. If I use melamine my total cost will be around 75, PVC will be around. 118. For my use of the cage would the cheaper route be better?

I going the melamine route. 1/2 pvc kinds weak for s large animal, In my options of course.
3/4 pvc is awesome but cost twice as much. Melamine isn't the to bad as long as the edges are sealed.

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Over time melamine will sag and crack, it is very heavy too.

PVC will remain the same, it is sturdy but light, and is fire retardant.

If you build using melamine be prepared to replace that rack in a few years.

1/2 inch is actually very sturdy even for larger animals so a bearded dragon will be no issue.

I have had 25+ lbs animal in 1/2 inch PVC cage.



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I think PVC is superior in every aspect other than weight, and MAYBE heat retention. PVC is also mildew resistant. I don't have bearded dragons, so I'm not sure if that's an issue or not, but if a water bowl gets knocked over, you don't have to worry about it. Melamine, you have to seal or at least paint the edges for it to look nice and uniform. PVC is the same color throughout, so cut ends look the same. It's super easy to cut, drill, glue, and put screws in. Like you said, the weight is a big factor on it's own. 1 sheet of pvc isn't light, but it's manageable for one man to move around. 1 sheet of melamine is a different story.

I think it is worth the cash, if strength is your concern, making a box that is 2 x 4 is a lot more rigid than a single 4 x 8 sheet flapping around. resistance to moisture is the biggest thing, honestly Id still use pvc even if it was heavy as melamine based on that alone. I used to be in the "just keep moisture out away and it will be fine". but after accidental dings and drops the wood gets exposed, swells, cracks the laminate, then your pretty much screwed and modifying the rack to get your gap back. Then after I moved, it pretty much destroyed my racks/cages as they get banged around so much. (perhaps your friends will be nicer than mine) didn't take long after we got in the new home before I noticed swelling and cracks.

Price used to be the thing that kept me away from pvc as cheapest I could find 1/2 pvc was $125 back when melamine was $27. Now melamine is $35 and I can get home depot pvc for $57. Even at $78 I think it is worth it.

I always am amazed out how expensive cheap ends up being. Get the PVC.

Dave

Will the PVC be strong enough to hold a vision v400 and all the furnishings on top?

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Will the PVC be strong enough to hold a vision v400 and all the furnishings on top?

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Putting on my Civil Engineer hat, it all depends on the design - and that applies equally to melamine or any other material. Also depends on the relative sizes of the two things you're stacking, and if you will be putting plywood or some other kind of support/weight-distribution material between them. You might need/want internal buttressing, you may not.

If you're unsure, get all your specs and requirements noted down, and get design help.



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

So I'm building my rescue bearded dragon a bigger cage. He is 3 years old and has been in a 40 gallon his whole life. It's going to measure 4x2x2 so I will only need one 8x4 sheet.

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Ok, I finally figured out what was bugging me about this - where are you getting your ends from?
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c48a23f049.jpg

Four 4' X 2' top/bottom/aides are going to use your whole sheet. Or is your front going to be made completely out of some other material?





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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Or is your front going to be made completely out of some other material?

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Generally people make the front something you can see through.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Ok, I finally figured out what was bugging me about this - where are you getting your ends from?
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c48a23f049.jpg

Four 4' X 2' top/bottom/aides are going to use your whole sheet. Or is your front going to be made completely out of some other material?





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Lol the front will be sliding glass doors so that's why I only need 1 sheet

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Putting on my Civil Engineer hat, it all depends on the design - and that applies equally to melamine or any other material. Also depends on the relative sizes of the two things you're stacking, and if you will be putting plywood or some other kind of support/weight-distribution material between them. You might need/want internal buttressing, you may not.

If you're unsure, get all your specs and requirements noted down, and get design help.



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The v400 is the same length 4 feet but the v400 is 2 inches wider. The vision cages are quite lite but idk if its to heavy to sit on a simple box design. I plan on taking those plastic storage shelves that home depot sells and taking it apart and cutting poles down a little and placing the poles on top of custom cage which will lead up to the shelf and the vision will be on top of the shelf.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

Generally people make the front something you can see through.

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Yes, I get that, that's why I asked if the front was going to be completely out of some other material - if you were going to do it like the AP cages, which have a front with cutouts for the doors, you still need a front panel, and for most door styles I'd do a front panel that the doors attach to. Thus the question.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Lol the front will be sliding glass doors so that's why I only need 1 sheet

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Ok. I think you need some kind of front panel, or at least a center front support. Otherwise you've got the whole front edge of the top unsupported, and I would expect it to bow under its own weight (much less stacking another cage on top). Husband reading over my shoulder (who tends to rein in my tendency to over-engineering) concurs.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prognathodon

Ok. I think you need some kind of front panel, or at least a center front support. Otherwise you've got the whole front edge of the top unsupported, and I would expect it to bow under its own weight (much less stacking another cage on top). Husband reading over my shoulder (who tends to rein in my tendency to over-engineering) concurs.


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I should of went into more detail with my plan. There will be support in the front but it won't be PVC it will be either cherry, hard maple, or red oak. Pieces that can be easily replaced since I have so much of it. Unless I can find smaller pieces of pvc at home depot. Im not going to spend another $78 just for front support. My step dad is a contractor and has built many houses, furniture, etc and we have a whole plan sketched out. I didn't go into as much detail bc the purpose of the thread was to find out the pros and cons of each material. Thanks everyone for your help.

So I was at home depot to buy the sheet of PVC and there was a chip on the corner of the only sheet that was left. So I asked an employee if they had anymore that wasn't chipped and he said no but if I take the chipped one he will give it to me for $25!!! That saved me $53!!! Of course I bought it lol it wasn't a horrible chip as I will only be losing an inch on my length or width whatever I decide. Can't wait to start putting this together tomorrow.