PVC Vrs. Wood

valid · 06-28-13, 08:49 PM

So yes, another thread.
More questions, after doing more research I am really liking the look and fairly cost effective-ness of these wood cages more than most I have looked at - 4x2 Cage (Obviously I would have to play with the dementions a bit, but that is easy.) I

But after looking around a little more PVC enclosures have sparked my interest as well. I have having a hard time finding good build plans for a PVC enclosure that is not already pre assembled, (boaphile etc.)

What are the pro and cons for both?
I like the look of the Wood better, but I like the fact that PVC is light weight, and seems more travel friendly. I do not plan to stay in the area where I live more than a year.

Amadeus · 06-28-13, 09:06 PM

PVC can simply be glued together with a special glue similar to super glue. Same with acrylic. But the big sheets can be a little fragile. That's about as much as I know because I haven't had any wood enclosures. Wood when stained and sealed properly looks much nicer though.

valid · 06-28-13, 09:19 PM

Yeah, It does look nicer, and seems to be more permanent .. which is kind of what I am looking for.

I suppose if I did decide to go PVC though, it would probably be easier to buy rather than build ... Which kind of pushes me to want wood more.

Amadeus · 06-28-13, 09:21 PM

Wood will be more labor intensive imo.

valid · 06-28-13, 09:28 PM

YEs, but I am not the one making it - and I will not have to pay for labor time xP That's kinda why I want to go all out now.

Amadeus · 06-28-13, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valid

YEs, but I am not the one making it - and I will not have to pay for labor time xP That's kinda why I want to go all out now.

I would have gotten wood for my snakey friends but I didn't have the time when I did the builds sooo. GOOO ALLLL OUT

valid · 06-28-13, 09:53 PM

Did you do PVC? If so where did you buy it, did you have plans etc, or kinda wing it?

Amadeus · 06-28-13, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valid

Did you do PVC? If so where did you buy it, did you have plans etc, or kinda wing it?

I did use pvc and I really wang it (lol) It took me three days to make the first one but in the end it wasn't very difficult.

I would definitely make plans though; it will save you a lot of time and anger.

I got for free from the place I work. They were half inch sheets that were extremely heavy and if i could do it over I'd go thinner.

Mikoh4792 · 06-28-13, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

PVC can simply be glued together with a special glue similar to super glue. Same with acrylic. But the big sheets can be a little fragile. That's about as much as I know because I haven't had any wood enclosures. Wood when stained and sealed properly looks much nicer though.

You can also drill pvc together and then seal it with silicone.

Lankyrob · 06-29-13, 05:59 AM

Have used wooden vivs for three years, even after arguing with aaron that they are fine with humidity if sealed properly i will never use them again.

I sealed the vivs myself, they looked fine, when i sold my snakes i took the vivs apart to dispose of more easily and they were rotting even through the silicon sealant, there is no other way the water could have gotten into the wood.

Will only use pvc in the future

valid · 06-29-13, 10:07 AM

Thank you for that info, that is something I hadn't really thought about the wood rotting. That is definitely something to keep in mind.

I am having a hard time finding building plans for PVC, could I just use the plans for a wood enclosure, but substitute the wood for PVC?

KORBIN5895 · 06-29-13, 10:42 AM

Each piece of wood needs completely sealed before assembling.

Wood enclosure pros: Amazing for heat retention, won't crack, solid and sturdy, can use trim to make them look amazing.

Wood enclosure cons: Heavy, can rot, if scratch they need refinished, hard to safely use an uth.

I don't use PVC but they do crack, can become brittle with age, stain, warp and aren't as good for heat retention.

Mikoh4792 · 06-29-13, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I don't use PVC but they do crack, can become brittle with age, stain, warp and aren't as good for heat retention.

how about the plastic that some plastic caging companies use? Such as abs, hdpe...etc

valid · 06-29-13, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Wood enclosure pros: Amazing for heat retention, won't crack, solid and sturdy, can use trim to make them look amazing.

Wood enclosure cons: Heavy, can rot, if scratch they need refinished, hard to safely use an uth.

All good point, thank you for your input.
And at the risk of sounding idiotic, how do you use UTH with Wood enclosures? I wouldn't guess that you just stick it to the bottom of the wood like you do a glass/plastic enclosure.

I have never done this before, pretty obvious huh.

Mikoh4792 · 06-29-13, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valid

All good point, thank you for your input.
And at the risk of sounding idiotic, how do you use UTH with Wood enclosures? I wouldn't guess that you just stick it to the bottom of the wood like you do a glass/plastic enclosure.

I have never done this before, pretty obvious huh.

A poster here says that he cuts a square from the bottom of the wooden enclosure and silicones a square tile(or anything that absorbs heat) onto the cutout. So basically you stick the heat pad onto the tile and that will be the hotspot.