Finishing for Sides of Cage

[VC Floki]

I am just about to start to build my VC his new home, and was wandering if I should use plywood for the 1 wall he will have. And if I do, what finishing product would help it hold up to the humidity? Would a laminate work better or a varnish of kinds? I want plywood because I want to be able to drill holes it it for plants to hang. Thanks

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

I would avoid laminates that have particle board cores (like melamine); they will inevitably disintegrate.

 

[GrayMadder]

You'll want to use a hardwood (which can get expensive) And you'll have to seal the wood, depending on how you seal it, it will be pricey as well.

I dont think a varnish would hold up to the constant humidity/misting either. Varnish protects from water but its more like water resistant and not completely waterproof.

Here's a thread I thought was a pretty cool idea for an enclosure with minimal waterproofing.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/madmartigans-upgrade.176159/

 

[Beman]

Flex seal makes a great paint on product for sealing woods and it holds up to humidity and moisture. You do need to let it gas off for at least a week though before putting the cham in it. And you should not use it near the cham due to the fumes.

 

[Reptofreak]

As mentioned FlexSeal will do the job or another option would be Drylok.

 

[Mikee002]

Marine plywood, it’s Meant for external use. Still want to seal it though.

 

[ERKleRose]

Marine plywood, it’s Meant for external use. Still want to seal it though.

Definitely make sure to seal it thick so no chemicals leech into the cage from the marine plywood!

 

[Mikee002]

Definitely make sure to seal it thick so no chemicals leech into the cage from the marine plywood!

Yep, though it isn’t pressure treated with chemicals. It’s a waterproof glue that makes it “marine”, not pressure treated with chemicals.

 

[ERKleRose]

Yep, though it isn’t pressure treated with chemicals. It’s a waterproof glue that makes it “marine”, not pressure treated with chemicals.

Great, I was just making sure! All of the marine plywood that I’ve ever seen have all been treated with chemicals.

 

[Mikee002]

Great, I was just making sure! All of the marine plywood that I’ve ever seen have all been treated with chemicals.

Obviously make sure with the specific brand that you purchase. Regardless... you’ll want to seal it anyway, but it’s nice to know that it isn’t necessarily treated chemically.