Cheapest material for an outdoor project
May 19, 2011 5:28 PM Subscribe
I want to make an outdoor installation in my neighborhood similar to the You are beautiful one here. What material should I use?
I will be putting the display on a guardrail about 2 feet tall (like this) and would like the letters of the words (font: Myriad Pro) to be four feet tall. I would like the material to be weather resistant.
What's the cheapest material I could use? I'll need about 30 4x2 sheets and was thinking about corrugated plastic but wonder if there are cheaper and/or better options out there. Where is the best place to buy material?
How could I tie it down to the guardrail? Since the letter will be of a thin font and double the size of the rail I don't want them flapping or blowing away.
I already know of the (il)legality of this project but am determined to do it anyway.
I will be putting the display on a guardrail about 2 feet tall (like this) and would like the letters of the words (font: Myriad Pro) to be four feet tall. I would like the material to be weather resistant.
What's the cheapest material I could use? I'll need about 30 4x2 sheets and was thinking about corrugated plastic but wonder if there are cheaper and/or better options out there. Where is the best place to buy material?
How could I tie it down to the guardrail? Since the letter will be of a thin font and double the size of the rail I don't want them flapping or blowing away.
I already know of the (il)legality of this project but am determined to do it anyway.
The cheapest is usually 4x8 Luan Plywood at Home Depot. You can usually get it for about $12 a 4X8 sheet. Cut and paint as you like.
posted by sanka at 5:55 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by sanka at 5:55 PM on May 19, 2011
Seconding luan plywood or masonite. (Corrugated plastic is pretty flimsy in larger sizes.)
I think you'd have better luck staking the letters into the ground behind the guardrail (sort of like political campaign yard signs), with the letters appearing to rest atop the guardrail. And then you could use rope or fishing line or large industrial zip-ties to secure them to the railing posts so the wind won't tip them over. (Again, on the back so only the letters would be visible from the road.) Or if the roadside is paved or otherwise too hard in that spot, you could attach the letters or words to backstands instead of staking into the ground.
posted by D.Billy at 6:41 PM on May 19, 2011
I think you'd have better luck staking the letters into the ground behind the guardrail (sort of like political campaign yard signs), with the letters appearing to rest atop the guardrail. And then you could use rope or fishing line or large industrial zip-ties to secure them to the railing posts so the wind won't tip them over. (Again, on the back so only the letters would be visible from the road.) Or if the roadside is paved or otherwise too hard in that spot, you could attach the letters or words to backstands instead of staking into the ground.
posted by D.Billy at 6:41 PM on May 19, 2011
Realizing now that you're probably talking about setting the letters in front, not on top of the guardrail. If so, disregard the parts about staking & backstands.
posted by D.Billy at 6:43 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by D.Billy at 6:43 PM on May 19, 2011
Plywood, but it's still not going to be particularly cheap. Depending on how long you want the installation to last, you would need to use at least 1/4" ply (easy to work, light, but vulnerable to strong wind and evil humans), but 1/2" would probably be the best bet. You could have a bet each way and go for 3/8". How much you are prepared to spend on a project that, given the doubtful legality, probably won't last long is probably your determining factor. Currugated plastic is probably too flimsy without additional support.
Cable ties may be the best way to tie the letters to the guardrail - measure the rail and drill holes in appropriate places so you can fasten each letter - you'll need lots of ties, but they're pretty cheap. You could also use thin wire, which would probably be cheaper but take longer to do. Whatever you use, make sure you don't damage the guardrail or you could for a huge additional expense if 'The Man' takes exception to your artistic expression.
posted by dg at 7:13 PM on May 19, 2011
Cable ties may be the best way to tie the letters to the guardrail - measure the rail and drill holes in appropriate places so you can fasten each letter - you'll need lots of ties, but they're pretty cheap. You could also use thin wire, which would probably be cheaper but take longer to do. Whatever you use, make sure you don't damage the guardrail or you could for a huge additional expense if 'The Man' takes exception to your artistic expression.
posted by dg at 7:13 PM on May 19, 2011
I think masonite and luan are going to absorb water quickly and warp a lot. How about finding some material that is already white like that that is easier to work with:
- Gatorboard might be nice, it's very tough though I don't know how well it weathers outdoors.
- A corrugated two-wall plastic might also work, though it may be a bit more costly since you would want something fairly thick at that height.
- Acrylic would work nicely, though it might get a bit expensive.
- Sintra is another solid white material, though I cannot remember how much it costs (same for Corian, which I imagine is expensive).
- Styrene would probably be cheaper than acrylic and might be the best option. It would be easier to work with than acrylic if you don't have access to a lot of tools (it is a bit more forgiving and can be cut with knives and saws, and sanded easily).
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 10:12 PM on May 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
- Gatorboard might be nice, it's very tough though I don't know how well it weathers outdoors.
- A corrugated two-wall plastic might also work, though it may be a bit more costly since you would want something fairly thick at that height.
- Acrylic would work nicely, though it might get a bit expensive.
- Sintra is another solid white material, though I cannot remember how much it costs (same for Corian, which I imagine is expensive).
- Styrene would probably be cheaper than acrylic and might be the best option. It would be easier to work with than acrylic if you don't have access to a lot of tools (it is a bit more forgiving and can be cut with knives and saws, and sanded easily).
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 10:12 PM on May 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
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You could also contact a siding contractor and see if they have any old pieces of hardboard siding that you could have. When it starts to go bad, it usually just gets soft at the edges and the middle part is still good. That would be the FREE option - since it's prime home-improvement season you might have some luck.
posted by Ostara at 5:44 PM on May 19, 2011