We're always on the lookout for ways to make oversized art on the cheap. Prices for large framed pieces can be sky high and that's not always in the budget. This idea makes good use of panel insulation and would make one heck of a pin board for your home office as well:
We love seeing ideas that make a big impact with resources we can actually track down. Sometimes you see a project on the internet and pieces came from a specialty online store or were local to the area, but not this time. Shannon over at The New England Southerner went to two places, the hardware store and the fabric store. That's it.
These large panels were constructed using large pink sheet insulation with fabric stretched over each. They were created to fill this large hallway space that was in need of something punchy, while still staying within budget.
This would also make a great idea for a home office pin board and would come in at far less than most cork boards you find and would be far more stylish. Plus, it wouldn't scream pin board of messy thoughts and reminders! You can check out more on this idea over at The New England Southerner.
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Funny how some have a knack of changing the most mundane objects into veritable objets d'art.
This is a great idea - does anyone know if the insulation off-gases to a great extent? Are there any health concerns? I would love to try it and save a fortune on buying art, which isn't in my budget at the moment.
Keep in mind that this type of foam insulation can react poorly to many kinds of adhesives, including spray adhesive (which would be ideal to apply fabric). The glue can actually melt the foam leaving it misshapen and probably off-gassing all kinds of chemicals. Be sure to test your adhesive on a small piece before applying it.
According to the post on The New England Southerner, she stapled the fabric to the insulation sheet.
I am wondering the best way to hang these. Any ideas? The creator's post didn't say.
I used this type of insulation along with foam and fabric to make a large, lightweight headboard for my room. Worked very well!
I made one of these a few years ago as a pin board for my school work. You can fasten cloth to pink foam board using straight pins, but it is really difficult to re-pin papers in place. Altogether, it wasn't wholly successful as a pin board until I leaned it to slant against a wall.
karome, with a wood frame, all you do is use several nails and set the upper board of the wood frame on them. Hope that makes sense.
To add to the conversation. It would seem that these would also help insulate a room from heat or cold and maybe even help to cut down sound. They are beautiful and would be nice for a loft or room with high ceilings.
Looks great!
Ditto what elwingman said.
@teakfreak yes, both EPS and XPS foam sheets can offgas some pretty nasty things; I personally wouldn't recommend putting them inside your home.
You can safely achieve the same effect with rigid cellulose or rock wool panels, both of which are non-toxic although not as easy to find as the pink sheets.
If you want a really cheap alternative, get a refrigerator box and cut it up into 4 equal sized panels, then glue the panels together with common household glue. Strong, non-toxic *and* free.. can't go wrong there. :)
Maybe foamcore would be less toxic and gassy?
If you're worried about toxic insulation, just use foam-core board. As long as it's in an area that it won't be bumped or moved often it's fine. You can buy them in art supply stores in sheets of 4' x 8'. They're lightweight and sturdy. If the sides will show, then use black masking tape and wrap the sides before you put on a poster or other item. I'm a designer and we used foam-core in this fashion for making trade show displays and window displays. It's cheap, light, easy to use and cut. Enjoy.
Insulation may contain a form of formaldehyde that is mostly banned in commercial construction now. And her's something scary:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114182073
In other words, know what you're getting into.
There are products specifically made for art, like canvas, and having it stretched doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, but I think the added cost is worth it in the end.
I love the look of several panels in a hallway. A lovely way to add wallpaper or fabric without messing with the walls, and also adding a bit of dimension! (I wouldn't use this as a pinboard, even though you could.)
There are lots of other substrates one could use besides the pink insulation. Probably most cost more. I love the concept, though, no matter how it's executed.
I have many years of experience in the commercial roofing insulation industry; and actually, most manufactured insulation are no longer made with formaldehyde.
Today, most insulation is made of polyisocyanurate (or polyiso). Hunter Panels manufactures commercial & residential roof & wall polyiso. I'd recommend purchasing their wall insulation; it's really great - they call it XCI. Since they are a manufacturer, so you'd have to go through a distributor if you're interested.
If you do this, you're picture will last a lifetime.
Good luck!