Where can I purchase Polystyrene (not online)?

Question

I am interested in building a DIY foam background for my snake's enclosure but I need polystyrene foam for the base. It's the styrofoam packaging material you find in boxes in large pieces usually molded to whatever you bought. I looked at Michaels the craft store and they didn't have that kind of foam--just the foam you stick fake plants in. Where can I purchase polystyrene foam? Hardware stores? Home depot stores? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Home depot and lowes both offer it, both in sheets and in blocks. You will find it in the end of the store where the lumber is, but of course you can ask an employee for more directions. If they dont have it in stock they can order it for no fee

Answer 2

Just to expand a bit on the previous answer, you'll probably find two types of polystrene foam at home improvement/hardware stores (for various types of insulation)... the expanded type and the extruded type.  

The expanded type is usually the white little-balls-pressed-together kind that's often used for packaging electronics, large appliances, etc.... the extruded type will be much denser (and easier to cut, shape).   They're the same basic stuff though.

If you want more info on the types of ps foams, and also on ways to cut, shape, and glue them, check out this page at my site:

http://glassattic.com/polymer/covering.h...

Under the PLASTICS category on that page, click on the subcategories called:

...."Types of Polystyrene & Polystyrene Foam, Definitions,"

...."Shaping, Cutting, Gluing"

HTH,

Diane B.