A slightly different take on this topic, not another "how do you make them/show me yours" thread.

I called into Wickes on the way back from work to price up materials for putting together the fake caves and walls many have come up with. The material list was based on a thread on here (I forget by whom; apologies).

So here goes (assuming starting with pretty much nothing),

Polystyrene board (2000mm x 600mm x 50mm) - £6.99
General purpose tile grout (2.5 Lites) - £6.49
Clear Satin Matt Varnish (750ml) - £6.49
Polythene sheet - £2.29

add about £10-15 on top for paint brushes and saws, and cheap stuff like cocktail sticks to stick the board layers together etc

No idea what bird sand would cost to cover it with...

So comes to about £35 or more. Maybe could shop around of course.

I'm just wondering for that cost etc does the final product warrant the money and effort to make it and will it last the rigours of a lizard living on/in it (and how long for)?

Just doing my research

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Ignore my silly forum handle - my name is Ash. Long time RFUK reader, fledgling member!

1.0.1 - Bearded Dragons (Darwin and Martinez)
0.2.0 - Leopard Geckos (High Yellow: Ruby, SHTCT: Ofelia)
1.0.0 - Ocellated Uromastyx (Spike)
0.0.2 - Oriental Fire Bellied Toads (No names yet!)
0.0.2 - GALS

It depends how well you make it to be honest. If you make it carefully with realistic shapes, tones and shading then I personally would say it's worth far more than the £35 + time. If you make something that a 4 year old could churn out a playgroup then it's probably not worth it.

The same goes for "will it last" - something that's only thinly grouted and used for an iggy won't last more than a couple of days. Something that's properly made and sealed etc should last years...

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Cheers man, much appreciated.

Hopefully others that have made large/moderately big caves etc will comment from experience too

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Ignore my silly forum handle - my name is Ash. Long time RFUK reader, fledgling member!

1.0.1 - Bearded Dragons (Darwin and Martinez)
0.2.0 - Leopard Geckos (High Yellow: Ruby, SHTCT: Ofelia)
1.0.0 - Ocellated Uromastyx (Spike)
0.0.2 - Oriental Fire Bellied Toads (No names yet!)
0.0.2 - GALS

i have just made a small feeding and raised area for my baby beardie i am getting, it is very strong and should last ages, i am currently working on a lounge/raised area for his viv when he moves into a full size viv. one of the main advantages of doing it yourself, is you can make it fit exactly the spot you want it to and do the job you want rather than buying something that nearly fits the bill, i have got about 4 layers of grout on mine and they are seriously rock hard so reckon they will last years

cheers rob

Ahh excellent, cheers!

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Ignore my silly forum handle - my name is Ash. Long time RFUK reader, fledgling member!

1.0.1 - Bearded Dragons (Darwin and Martinez)
0.2.0 - Leopard Geckos (High Yellow: Ruby, SHTCT: Ofelia)
1.0.0 - Ocellated Uromastyx (Spike)
0.0.2 - Oriental Fire Bellied Toads (No names yet!)
0.0.2 - GALS

here a pic of my set up a with a wall and hide i made a few years ago



already had the poly so jus had to buy grout