Posted by:
Chris_Harper2
at Mon Oct 15 09:31:09 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Chris_Harper2 ]
I wrote all of the previous post assuming that you would be using veneered plywood in the wood grain that you prefer. This is probably what I would use if I wanted to spend a bit more for a quality final product. I would likely use a two-part wood floor finish for lighter wood species. For darker species I would probably use a one-part varnish like Waterlox but would take caution to apply it correctly and make sure it offgassed completely before introducing the snakes.
If you found a melamine product with a faux wood grain that you liked then all of the previous post would not apply, other than the plastic flooring bit. Melamine is particle board that comes pre-finished with a plastic (melamine) veneer.
It has received a bad reputation in the reptile community. I believe much of this is due to the fact that many people just go to Home Depot or similar stores and buy the cheap melamine which just has a thin foil layer of plastic, not a thick thermofused layer like the higher quality melamine. I have made the same mistake.
The higher quality melamine should hold up fine in a cage like you describe, again especially since you will not be using misting systems or have live plants, etc. The floor, however, will still need a more durable layer to deal with water spills and the moisture held by substrate.
Melamine will be much cheaper and a lot less work then plywood. But plywood will be lighter, stronger and better looking.
If you decide to go with melamine, make sure to go to a cabinet supply shop or woodworking specialty store and get at product with at least a 100 weight melamine coating.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.
[ Hide Replies ]
- MDF - handofmidas, Sun Oct 14 12:53:32 2007
- RE: MDF - Chris_Harper2, Sun Oct 14 16:19:05 2007
- RE: MDF - handofmidas, Sun Oct 14 18:40:54 2007
- RE: MDF - Chris_Harper2, Sun Oct 14 18:53:08 2007
- RE: MDF - handofmidas, Sun Oct 14 23:10:22 2007
- RE: MDF - Chris_Harper2, Sun Oct 14 23:20:01 2007
 more... - Chris_Harper2, Mon Oct 15 09:31:09 2007
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