Red Fury Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I've been looking everywhere that I can think of to buy some pink foam to use on my display board and can't find it anywhere. Actually Home Depot had a 4x8 sheet, but it was only 1/2" thick. So where can I find some 1.5" thick pink foam? I've tried all three of the local hardware stores: a tru-value, an Ace, and the DIY center. I've checked several Home Depots and Lowes too. I even spent an hour looking on-line, this stuff cant be that hard to find! FYI, everybody has carried the white flaky foam and insulation foam with a paper type of film on it, but not the pink or blue foam. Is this a California building code thing? So, I live in southern California, if anybody could help me out with this it would be much appreciated. On-line would be great. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Ask for it on a building site, especially if they're doing landscaping. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747022 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fury Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 My entire in-law family is in construction and they never have used it. They know of the paper covered stuff but not the good pink stuff (aside from the shredded fiberglass roles). I just had the front yard landscaped last summer, I have no idea why there would be any insulation used in landscaping. Thanks for the suggestion, but where can I buy some? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747121 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Lohengrin Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Looking at where you're from, I doubt you'll find it easily. I spoke to the guys at Lowe's here in eastern North Carolina and they told me that the thicker sheets are available mainly in cooler regions of the country. Down here, and where you are as well, builders apparently don't use the heavier stuff for insulation. Try stacking three layers together? I use wood glue spread verrrry thin and let the stack dry overnight with a bunch of books on top. After it's dry you can carve it much like a thicker piece. You may want to get some spackling compound and apply it over any obvious layer edges before painting. I'd kill for some 2" foam myself. Good luck. Lohengrin Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747126 Share on other sites More sharing options...
averykess Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Call a good model train store. 2" thick stuff is the frequently used in layout construction. If it is available in your area, they will know about it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747151 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fury Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 Good idea. So I called Pegasus Hobbies, SoCals largest hobby store, and no dice. They said they are hoping to carry it sometime in the future but just the white bubble foam right now. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanhausen Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Construction isolation panels should do the trick. I bought some...here in Spain :( Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747496 Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromedog Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Part of your confusion stems from the minor detail that the pink and blue foams are NOT "expanded" polystyrene foams, but EXTRUDED foams. Like I said, it's a relatively minor word difference, but that word IS important. Insulation sheet is usually available in home renovation suppliers - but California has many loopy rules and regulations, and this may not be the case. It's quite commonly available in Seattle, and northern colder areas. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747585 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanhausen Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aislamientosisoplad.es/usuario/usu10/imagen/plancha%20porexpan_7135.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aislamientosisoplad.es/marcas.php?obj=subfamilia&id_subfamilia=208&obj3=familia&id_familia=37&usg=__aTBmVvRfcEK5PvY02MnCNLye95w=&h=361&w=540&sz=18&hl=es&start=24&zoom=1&tbnid=srtIMLv3ODp4RM:&tbnh=151&tbnw=170&ei=iVrCTb-pOsXcgQfSy93sAQ&prev=/search?q=panel+aislamiento+porex&um=1&hl=es&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:es-ES%3Aofficial&biw=1024&bih=625&tbm=isch0,1254&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=333&page=3&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:24&tx=108&ty=68&biw=1024&bih=625 The ones I bought actually fit onto each other on the edges, to make larger panels if needed. And you can cut it with a hobby knife. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747592 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fury Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 pink and blue foams are NOT "expanded" polystyrene foams, but EXTRUDED foams. Thanks, that has definitely helped already, look there it is on Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/...k=P_PartNumber# ...and not available online or in any nearby stores *facepalm* Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2747975 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 It's purely a matter of location. I can buy 3" thick foam here in Maine, but you don't see the thinner stuff much. It's all about insulation R-value. In California, you don't get the extreme cold, so builders don't need the 2-3" foam. Hence, local shops don't carry it. Your only hope beyond a road trip to Colorado is gluing thinner sheets together. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2748014 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kizzap88 Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I'm assuming that you are going to be using the foam for a gaming table? if so, maybe try asking one of your local refridgeration places? they might be able to help you find somewhere you can get some Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2748601 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadey Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Some people have no problems getting ahold of the stuff, others go through hell and high water, or however the saying goes. I tried for years, had all the same problems as you and eventually found a place 400km away (in the capital city) that carries it. The stuff I got was a yellowish cream but seems to be the same kind. I brought a few square metres quick smart next time we were down there. Might be as others have suggested a climate thing. Local builders just havn't heard of the stuff. Of course, as if this sticky wet hot summer with no ac that makes detail painting impossible wasn't enough, now it makes sourcing supplies even harder. I have to live in freaking Queensland Australia don't I... Did you talk to someone at homedepot? Most of the larger chain's are not above ordering something in to make a sale as long as it is carried by another store within the franchise. If all the above suggestions from others don't pan out, you might try postage. Not sure if it is an option. The courier companies I have seen charge by the size, not the weight (calculating the weight to an equivilent volume of water iirc), so you can imagine how quickly that will stack up. Still, I am not sure if that is the norm over your way. Especially if you make a group order with your local club it might work out ok. I'd consider that a last resort though. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2749165 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan the Lurker Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Take a look here: http://insulation.owenscorning.com/homeown...get-insulation/ They might be able to point you to some places (though in Cali it is unlikely) Alternatively give these guys a call: http://www.foamsalesandmarketing.com/ Foam Sales & Marketing 1005 West Isabel Street Burbank, CA 91506-1403 (818) 558-5717 They were carrying the stuff back in 08 so I would guess they still do. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2749781 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fury Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Thanks for the suggestions guys. I am looking for foam mainly for a display board that I am working on, but for terrain and future projects as well. Oddly enough, I live in one of southern California's few cold climates. I am at 7000ft elevation and have an incredibly long 6 month winter up here. This is one of the few small ski towns and the ski slopes just closed down after easter weekend. So although San Diego is just 2.5 hours away, which is where I lived for 10 years, it is cold as :) up here. Unfortunately, I think it must be some kind of CA fire/building code to have a fire barrier on the foam and this is what makes it so dang hard to find "un-faced foam' here. Super thick insulation is the norm though, the better insulation the less energy costs, and CA is all about energy efficiency. I am actually a plastic fabricator (plexiglass), but my suppliers don't even carry this stuff. They have a whole lot of the white bubble foam for the sign guys, like my neighbor, and even some expensive carve-able 'sign foam'. I'm starting to think the sign foam is the best bet, although I don't know how well it will cut. I've seen it carved with a cnc router, which I have and operate, but I'm looking for something for at home with a hobby knife. So part of the problem with living on top of a mountain is that the home depots and lowes are an hour away. I checked out the owenscorning site and they show home depot carries the 1" thick stuff (still not thick enough though) maybe the special order desk can get the thicker stuff ordered in though. I'll give that a try. The foam guys in burbank might pan out too, I'll have to give them a call on Monday. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2749831 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azekai Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 How far are you willing to go to get that lovely pink foam? It may be time for a road trip. :) I lived in AZ for a couple of years and the home depot in Prescott carried the stuff you are looking for; I imagine it is availible in other home improvement stores in the Grand Canyon state. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2749847 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fury Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Dang it, I was just in Phoenix, AZ about 4 weeks ago and didn't even think to look there! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229045-expanded-polystyrene-foam/#findComment-2750248 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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