Reptile & Amphibian Forums

went to Lowes today and saw Formica sheeting that is essentially the same thing as the coating on melamine boards.

What I thought of doing is adhering the Formica sheets to the inside of my plywood cage with contact cement. I'm going to use 3/4" oak plywood. Does anyone think this is a good or bad idea?

I figured it would be end the battle of deciding between plywood and melamine because you would get the best from both:

1) the strength and rigidity of plywood
2) the water resistance of melamine

has anyone ever done this? Once cured, will the contact cement be safe with a boa?

thanks,
dj

I've talked to a couple of people who've used the formica laminate with good results. I'm not sure about the contact cement since there are a number of products going by that name. I personally would recommend Liquid Nails as your adhesive. It is very strong and doesn't have as strong an odor as some products. Either way, you'll need to let the adhesive cure and air out the cage before putting any snake in it. Also, be sure to get a good quality silicone caulk and seal all the edges and cracks to prevent liquid waste from getting underneath the formica and causing warping or odor retention. Good luck with your project!

Raven