foamex or correx ?????

[Nathan]

I have pasted a copy of what I have on file from another thread, hope it helps.

“Forrex, Foamalux and similar are lightweight PVC boards used for lots of signs. Only white is strictly speaking suitable for outdoors as coloured boards of this type will fade. There are gloss versions of these called Forrex top/Foamalux Ultra. These are slightly more expensive and because of the gloss finish the coloured boards will not fade under UV so are deemed suitable for outdoors.

Acrylic (e.g. perspex) is much more expensive than the above but has a good gloss finish. Opal acrylic is white but allows light to pass through so is used for lightboxes.

Both the above benefit from being fitted in panatrim type frames as this allows the material to expand and contract without the panels warping

Correx is a fluted plastic – just like corrugated cardboard only made from plastic. Very cheap to buy and also very tough. For example these are used by estate agents for “For Sale” signs.

Dibond and similar are aluminium/rubber core composite materials. Very tough and durable. Won’t expand and contract in sunlight in the way that Forrex foamalux and other plastics will. Ideal choice for a tough durable exterior sign that is to be fitted without a pantrim type of frame.

These are the main materials that we use as they require no further preparation prior to lettering (any wooden board for example would need to be painted or varnished first) – but there are lots of others.”

[Martin Pearson]

My advice would be to phone some of the suppliers such as Europoint, Cox Plastics, Amari etc and ask them to send out some samples of the various materials they supply. That will give you a far better idea than just reading about them on here.
You could also ask them to send a sales rep out to see you, that way you can ask about the uses for the various materials and you may also find out about other products they sell that are used in the industry.

[James kelly]

Foamex has a nice surface finish but should only be used supported, ie. framed and/or against a solid backing such as a wall. Foamex is brittle and easily broken by vandals, wind, etc.

Correx doesn’t look so good close up but it is lighter than Foamex and much tougher. Ideal for mounting on posts. Correx will bend but unlikely to break.

As for pricing, neither Correx or Foamex are that expensive nowadays, the price of signs is usually more determined by labour than by materials.

[jamiet2k]

We have used a company in Sheffield called Century Plastic for Foamex ( I think their version is called Pallite)

I can PM the contact details if you require them.

[wiredforgames]

hi jamiet2k can u send me details plz

Cheers justin

[ashleedesign]

thanks jamie2k send us the details

cheers 😛

Ash

[jamiet2k]

Sorry fellas, can’t send private messages for some reason???

Am I allowed to post their contact details here?

[Andy Gorman]

Yeah, go on.

[Carrie Brown]

Jamiet2k, yes you can post suppliers details on here that you are recommending to other members. Only thing you cannot do is recommend yourself :lol1:

You are listed as a supplier/visitor and suppliers do not have access to pm.

😀

[jamiet2k]

Ok, thanks Carrie…Didn’t want to step on anyones toes 🙂

Century Plastics Ltd
Unit 7 Tinsley Ind Est
Shepcote Way
Sheffield
S9 1TH

Tel: 0114 242 2144
Fax: 0114 242 0112

Hope these fellas are of some use to you.