PMF on Aluminum-Faced Foam Board

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Original Member Title: Does PMF stick on the aluminum backed foam?
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A member asked whether poor man’s fiberglass would adhere to a cheaper 1 1/2-inch foam board with aluminum foil facing, and whether it would be strong enough compared with pink foam for a foamie-style mini sternwheeler built across two canoes for camping. One member said PMF had stuck well to slick surfaces in their experience, including a metal roof vent, but the original poster later became concerned that the cheaper foil-backed board looked like bead-style foam and leaned toward 1...
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Jeff Bramlett

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2026
Posts
22
Location
Lebanon, OR
Hello I saw that Home Depot has a 1 1/2 inch thick foam sheet that is much cheaper ($20 each) than the 2 inch pink stuff ($60 each). However, the cheaper stuff has aluminum foil looking stuff glued to one side. Has anyone here used PMF on this type of aluminum coating? Sorry if this has been discussed already. Also, is it better to use the pink 2 inch foam instead for more strength? I'm trying to build a mini-sternwheeler across two canoes using the foamie method. I do intend to camp in it, and also it is on a trailer I fixed up, so I hope my project is in-line with TNTT! 💥👈🤠👉💥
 
Thanks for the reply! $20 sounds much better than $60 per sheet...I will probably give it a try when I get to that point. I'm currently painting the second canoe. It is taking me a long time due to weather and finances, ha ha...but here is the first one done:
 

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Upon further research I don't like the look of the white foam board backed with aluminum foil. The foam seems to be spheres of foam glued and pressed together. I think the 1 1/2 inch pink foam is probably better. It is cheaper than the 2 inch foam, 40 versus 60 dollars per 4x8.
 
Jeff,

Yep, "bite th' bullet" and go with the XPS. It's closed cell (won't spread water inside of it), is stronger than the foil covered foam, and if you make a mistake, glue it together with gorilla glue and cut again. Can't do that with most building materials!
 
Thanks for the reply! I've got my two canoes painted and the trailer is now usable. I'm already 2600 in and 9 months. I'm going to work on the connecting platform next. I hope to make it look like a river boat paddle wheel sternwheeler, powered by a 12 volt motor with variable speed drive, eventually with solar panels and sailboat type wind generators. Thanks again! This is my newest design:
 

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Overhead view, the dotted lines are removable port holes so one can sit and have their feet inside the well of the canoe, with an arm out the window.
 

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