particle board?

[reptile boi]

Hey,
I was just wondering if particle board was the board that has the holes all over the place? And, if i use that for a snake cage, would i need to polyurethane it? And does it give off any toxic fumes or any fumes that might harm my herps?


Thanks,
Ben

[Ed_r]

the board with the hols in it is Peg board. It really depends on what your going to keep in the cage. A boa will push right through it. A cornsnake(bigger than the holes) would be fine in it. Is it low humidity? then it would be fine. High humidity it will rot really quick, even with sealing it.

[JasonBrennan]

Just so you know, you can also buy plastic peg board. Get the same benifits, but none of the problems related to humidity (and the resulting "mushiness"). I never use any type of peg board in my cages, so I have never actually checked the prices on the plastic peg board, but I have seen in at Lowe's.

[reptile boi]

Hey ed,
I have seen people actually use peg board for their burms and boas.

[T.O-SK8TER]

The peg board WILL give you a lot of problems with maintaining high humidity! You should really use plywood or plastic sheets. Where you put your heat lamps put in some screen mesh and 2 inches above it put on some more mesh so it wont burn your snakes snout!

[Stockwell]

Peg board is made of a material called "tempered masonite" It is very useful for the backs of cages for larger species, where the holes provide ventilation,without drilling a bunch or putting in vents. I've used it without problems for 20+years. It generally only comes in a maxiumum thickness of quarter inch, so isn't strong enough for all sides. If you use it, you should give it a couple coats of varathane to prevent water from getting in, and formaldyhide gas from getting out. All "composite" type boards including masonite, particle board, chip board, Melamine , and plywood, contains glues and resins that emit small amounts of
noxious gases. These are not a concern if the lumber is sealed. Herpers often have shelves, kitchen cupboards and cabinets in the house that emit much more gas than a properly coated cage.
Plastic pegboard I haven't seen, but sounds like a good idea. Of course the beauty of tempered masonite, is that it is cheap and light in weight.

[TheSnakeKeeper]

if u have a high humidity intolerant snake u should use pliwood, its strong and keeps heat in but then again thats my opinion

[reptile boi]

Hey roy,
How do youvarathane peg board? Wouldnt the varathane just go through the holes? Also, could i use polyurethane instead?



Thanks,
Ben

[Lisa]

I'd avoid peg board for the bigger snakes. bigger snakes will rip it off when it's dry and rip through it when it's wet.