Foam boards
, while light-weight and warp-resistant, have a number of characteristics that make them unfavorable. Fortunately, there are a number of foam board substitutes that deal with these problems in a variety of different ways.
Foam Boards
Foam boards are light-weight plastic foam boards that resist warping. They are used for making displays, models and signs. Popular applications include graphic arts, fine arts and signage. (Reference 1)
Problems
Despite the advantages of being light-weight and resistant to warping, foam boards naturally decompose over time, especially when exposed to air pollution or ultraviolet light, or both. They furthermore emit acid vapors, which can damage artwork. They are also famously difficult to recycle, since it is very difficult to separate their recyclable elements from their non-recyclable elements. (References 1 and 2)
Substitutes
Foam board substitutes include Fome-cor boards, Prime-Foam-X boards, Gatorfoam boards, Gilman boards and Artcore boards. Each of these substitutes employ different methods for avoiding the aforementioned problems of traditional foam boards. (References 1 and 3)
