Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can someone help me out with a link to good pricing on expanded PVC? I have checked many sites but I am hoping to hear from someone that has found what they belive to be the best possible prices.

I believe one of the best places online to get plastic is US Plastics (www.usplastic.com) I believe.
I get mine through one of the biggest plastic distributors in the midwest with very competitive pricing and I STILL pay over $110 sheet minus delivery fees. If you think rack manufacturers are making a killing on a $250 rack out of this stuff, think again. Just basic math, $110 for a sheet of 1/2", $15 for 1/4 sheet of 1/4", $30 in tubs, $25 in heat tape, cable, etc...you're talking about $170 in just raw material expenses.
The stuff is popular for a reason though. In a nutshell, it's awesome. It holds true (I've found that anything over 24" without a support will eventually 'sag' a bit), it's hard to sratch, it's ligher than melamine and many other plastics, and most importantly, it's water and stain-proof. Spill water on it, come back hours later and wipe it off without any bubbling, swelling, discoloration, etc.
Best of luck to you,
Jason
Jason's Jungle

I agree with a lot of what Jason has to say about expanded PVC. Having seen his racks in person I'd also have to say he knows what he is talking about. Very nice product.

But in my experience, US Plastics is among the most expensive.

I would first look at regional plastic distributors. Even if they are within 3 hours drive you will probably save money by going to pick it up, assuming you have access to the appropriate vehicle.

In my case I had to have it shipped in from Denver, which is about 7 hours away. I got mine from Port plastics and paid a bit less for 1/2" in black than what Jason quoted. But that was well over a year ago. The product I found was Celtec 550 which is not only one of the lightest 1/2" expanded PVC products, but it's also rated for incidental food contact.

What part of the country are you in?
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Ditto what Chris said. The cost to ship stuff unless you can get a supplier to cut it into UPS-shippable size is going to cut into cost savings from lower prices. Finding a local supplier where you can purchase the material is your best bet. I've purchased Sintra both from a specifically plastics distributor and from a sign graphics place and the graphics place was definitely more expensive but not prohibitively so.
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Matt Campbell

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir

Unfortunately with the petroleum price increase, plastic has gone up substantially. Several years ago I could get a sheet of 1/2 (12mm) Celtec for about $90, that same piece now is up to almost $120.
Best of luck,
Jason