Good building Materials

[Vesper]

Hey guys...I've been thinking about making some new racks (our first one only holds two tubs because we didn't expect to get another BP anytime soon, but we may be getting a third soon), or caging. I was wondering what are some good materials. We also bought a skink...so I was thinking of making him a decent sized cage instead of having him stay in a glass tank.

I've got the designs I wanted to try out first, but I still need to figure out what sort of sealants, paints and type of wood I should get.
So, the questions are...like followed:


What type of wood? Or is there a different material to use? Does it matter what type of wood I use?
What can I use for sealant to protect it from humidity that safe for both the skink and bps (although the skink doesn't need so much humidty, I'd still like to protect it in case he topples his water or whatever).
And what can be used to seal corners and such?
And would a vinyl tile be all right to put over the wood inside the cage?

I'd like to keep this as light as possible, even though I figured we'd only expand the rack to maybe house...five bps max for now. I was thinking of doing a frame for the cage, and then putting thinner sheets of plywood for the walls, sealant and then the vinyl tiles...I've looked around at some of the forums already posted to get some ideas of supplies, but I thought I'd ask just in case there was a few more opinions on things...Thanks!

[kitedemon]

Plywood is fine with a caveat. I would suggest Baltic birch ply it is very very strong and warp resistant (more plys than the norm) It is what is used in high grade furniture. I would suggest the floor never be wood however it is hard to impossible to heat through. I would use PVC (not expanded just plain) it heat easily and well it has a fair bit of thermal mass so once hot it holds the heat well. It also works like wood. I don't know much (anything) about skinks but if heat is needed this is the way to go.

A rack I would again turn to PVCx (expanded) or Baltic birch ply. PVCx does not need to be sealed at all.

Sealing ply is a bit complex and can be costly. Epoxy is the best hands down, the most complex and expensive too. Liner polyurethane is the second best it also is expensive and complex to work with. Regular polyurethane is not very hard or expensive it is not even as close in terms of moisture but it is very good. Modified urethanes are next they are ok water issue wise and easy to manage and cheap. Latex is the last on my list as it is poor moisture resistance compared but it is cheap and easy with little issue of out gassing.

All of these need to be fully cured. Usually a period of time in well ventilated and warm conditions (away from animals is required). Some take up to one week some 40 hours or less. Follow the instructions carefully.

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I have never use vinyl tile but I have used stone tiles in a bearded dragon enclosure. It works really well. Can't say about any other critters.

my dragon enclosure pvcx sides and Baltic top and bottom.

Hosted on Fotki

Baltic birch ply edge

Hosted on Fotki

[Vesper]

Yeah! I'm glad you had the same idea as me. A lot of the 'how-to's I've read build the entire thing of wood and then put the heater on the inside, with holes in the wood for airflow, then put the tile over it. I was like...why not just put PVC on the bottom...lol.

How big is that enclosure? Is it super heavy? Did it ever begin to sag even a little? We've been debating doing a cage style for the snakes as well, I know they aren't display or anything, but I like the idea of coming in from the side when I have to pick them up. So, if we go that route we'd make them stackable to save space. Of course, they're stuff won't be as big. I was thinking like... 34 x 24 x 10, and then section it off until they're bigger. P: But I'm still afraid of any sagging no matter the wood.

The post was very great, btw. A lot of the other stuff I read didn't put it in terms like you did with the sealants.

[kitedemon]

This is quite large umm 36x30x24 or so. The bottom is extremely heavy likely 60 pounds or so for just the bottom the sides are only a few pounds and the top is likely 15 or so with the electronics (T-stat and light ballasts) All in all it weights a ton. No sag or any deflection at all. Baltic birch is very strong ply. 1/2 inch bottom, PVC may sag more. If I was not building for a basking animal I would use PVC with no hesitation.

[Vesper]

Yeah, I heard that certain plastics could sage, but I figure putting some sort of frame would help support it, I could leave enough space to slip the UTH in if needed. He doesn't really need it, but I figured I'd make it that way just for emergency's sake.

It's been a toss up between PVC and wood. Wood's going to weigh more, possible warp if I don't seal it correctly, etc...But I like the idea of making it myself, customizing it to what I need and can fit in our designated snake room. PVC, I'll have to just buy from Boaphile or wherever, I guess. Because I wouldn't have the first clue of using it as a building material. >.>

[kitedemon]

Wood top with a pvc bottom is the best of both world wood insulates exceptionally well and the pvc heats well. It is very easy to work it cuts like wood and can be fastened easily with mechanical fastenings.

[Vesper]

Thanks! You've been extremely helpful. We're not in a rush to make new enclosures yet, they're all safe and sound in the ones they have. So I'll be taking my time and planning out no matter what I do. ^.^