PVC vs Melamine

[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. 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?

[spikell75]

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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[Stewart_Reptiles]

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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[LittleTreeGuy]

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.

[OhhWatALoser]

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.

[AKA Dave]

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

Dave

[chrid16371]

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

[Prognathodon]

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

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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[Prognathodon]

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.

Ok, I finally figured out what was bugging me about this - where are you getting your ends from?


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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[OhhWatALoser]

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

Generally people make the front something you can see through.