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Does Foamboard warp? Or is it Chinese wispers?
It seems that there is a general opinion on the boards at the moment that there is a problem with this type of product.
It warps, expands, fades, and does all sorts of things that make it unsuitable for signs.
I have used foamboard for many years, I have only had one problem with warping, and that was because the customer installed a gas fire flue next to the sign after it was installed.
Recently, I have been looking at a lot of the stuff that I have done, It all looks fine. Some is in frames, other stuff is fixed directly to cladding or walls.
Usually, If its over 4 x 2 I will use a frame for 5mm, But 10mm seems happy to be fixed direct without probs. I dont oversize the holes, or leave the screws loose.
Just wonder if diferent makes have different properties?
Peter -
13 Replies
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In my experience foamboard definately does warp. Particularly dark coloured boards as they absorb more heat than white boards (which reflect the light more and so don’t heat up as much in direct sunlight).
However, I have seen some examples where a white board which isn’t facing the sun exhibts minimal warping.
Coloured non glossy boards fade very quickly. In particular yellow and red. Glossy version (“Ultra” and “top”) are much more fade resistant outside.
I use foamboards a lot outside – but nearly always use signframe to prevent warping. If the customer wishes to leave out the sign frame I explain the problems associated with warping.
When a coloured board is required, I prefer to flood coat a white board with vinyl to get the colour I want rather than use a self coloured board
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a new nail bars opened up new where i live.
nice new sign etc, screwed straight to the wall.
3 months its like a dogs hind leg…
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becky,
was it 1,2,3,4,5,mm
Did you make it? if not, it could have been white coated hardboard! And yes I have seen this used for exterior signs by some unscrupulous firms.
Peter -
i didn`t make it.
it was white 5 mm
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5mm will warp if just screwed to a wall. I don’t believe I’ve seen a 10mm panel warp.
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foamex and the like is great for interior signs. it will also work outside but like has been said, extra measures must be taken. frames are the best way to go. there are ways of getting away with it visually, what we forget is it goes brittle as heck… one stone and it shatters. also, even white foamex begins to yellow in direct sunlight. foamex also holds dirt in its pours that just gets worse if wiped down.
im not saying we dont or havent used it outside, we have… but over the last 4-5 years we have just tried to stop using it for anything exterior, its just not worth the hassle.
as for it being a myth, not at all.. as i said before. we were out about £40 grand with VINK plastic after being given written gaurantee on this sorta product only for it to fail in a few months. promised to settle the bill, few weeks later they went bust! 👿 funny how they just made a reappearance in the UK at sign uk this year under VINK Europe ltd or something like that… cowboys! (:) -
Rob
If you are now not using foamex/foamboard for exterior signs, what do you use as an alternative? Aluminium panels, dibond etc.?
Just curious.Thanks
Tony
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dibond, alucolour, rynabond, leboard, sigicolour, alluminium, plasticol and if needed perspex.
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Much prefer to use dibond but have started using Foamalux Ultra for outside work where you have to – more expensive but it seems to do the job regarding expansion.
They reckon foamboard expands at about 4mm per metre in each direction. Where we have boards going on we oversize the holes – finish with caps and or a washer if required to allow for this expansion. Not perfect but I hate seeing foamboard bow.
As rob says it aint worth the hassle sometimes – use dibond
Chris
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We have got some right abortions around here with foamex.. 5mm and 10mm, i will try and take a few pics to show, it good viewing. On one 10mm panel, it has curled at the end by about 30mm..
Rob, whats the joins like on the dibond stuff like? had a job last week, did it in perspex but dibond would have been ideal, but i was unsure what the joint would look like, it weren’t that high up
Simon
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when you say unsure about join mate, how do you mean?
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We use Dibond for the external signage whenever possible, we explain the pros and cons for the materials on the market and always recommend dibond when it is most suited.
It comes in different finishes and more are readily becoming available.quote :Rob, whats the joins like on the dibond stuff like? had a job last week, did it in perspex but dibond would have been ideal, but i was unsure what the joint would look like, it weren’t that high upSimon….. Are you refering to the blk from the inner part of the sheet that is visible all around the edge of the sheet material?
When butting up on fascias and such l get my supplier to cut 2mm of the edges of the sheet, eliminating this problem and getting a nice clean joint. -
ahh i know what you mean billy.
simon we have a 3m wide gilloutine that we use to trime a tiny bit of edge like billy has said. having say that, only if its a bright colour and down low enough to see the thin line. another option if your using a gloss face is to run a strip of vinyl down the join. but im not a fan of doing this.
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