Custom Cage : What wood?

[Rosy-enthusiast]

I would like to build Custom Cages for ALL my Repiles as I am re-doing my bedroom with new paint, etc. I wanna make rectangular custom cages with the doors opening upwards but I have a problem... I would like to use a nice wood, not melamine but I have heard that Cedar was bad for reptiles and that was my second choice gone :( But my first was pine and I was just wondering if it could harm my reptiles in any way? I live with my parents and they dont like melamine so its definatley out of the question and I dont like it either. If all goes well I will be selling these cages as well. My third choice is probably melamine but I dont like the fact that if It gets wet alot it starts falling apart and thats why I wanted cedar because for a 3/4 of an inch piece of wood would take 20 yrs to rot. Im also going to make an enclosed box just for soil and heat it up with a ceramic heater to dis-infect it, would this be hot enough because I dont really wanna put dirt in the oven :P


Rosy-enthusiast

[Invictus]

Cedar is absolutely toxic to reptiles. It contains phenol resins which can actually harm a human as well, if in the right quantity. Pine is a softwood, and it lacks the phenol resin channels of cedar, so it is safe. But realistically, if you have the inside of the cage sealed properly with marine enamel, epoxy, or polyurethane, it doesn't matter what you use - the reptile will never come in contact with the toxins. I'd still avoid cedar anyway, but properly sealed pine is an option.

[Rosy-enthusiast]

Ok, Thanks alot!!!! Would Polyurethane be Varnish? If not can I use a Varnish?


Thanks
Rosy-enthusiast

[Serpens]

unsure about the varnishes...my suggestion though would be to rethink the doors. Doors opening upwards, at least in my mental picture (may or may not be accurate), will require one hand to hold them open while servicing the cage/feeding/handling. For me anyways, I'd rather either have sliding doors or doors that swing sideways or down so as to leave both your hands free. Just a suggestion though:D You'll have to post pics when you're done.

Serpens

[Invictus]

Varnish is oil-based and should not be used. Polyurethane is much stronger anyway. You need to use INDOOR, WATER-BASED polyurethane. This is the type that is used on children's toys and such. Oil-based products should be avoided. And Serpens' advice about the doors is good too. If it's going to be front-opening, the door should come down so that you have both hands free.