EPS Planters, expanded polystyrene foam

foamcutter · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 82

Hi, l thought I'd post pictures of a recent project that we worked on.
The planter is made from EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) that is coated in a render then painted.

This is the raw polystyrene planter just put in position and ready to be transported to site. It is approx. 3m x 4m and 1.2m at the highest point.

This is the planter almost finished and planted out.

Apologies for the self promotion but l thought it would be intresting to hear your opinions.

Cheers

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:50 pm Post subject:

Looks good Foamcutter.
That looks like a seat built in as well, so it is multifunctional.
I presume it is light and easily transportable before planting.
In fact it looks a gardener could possibly take the planter with him when he moves house.

foamcutter · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 82

GPI,

MargeSimpson · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:32 am Post subject:

That looks cool and it's a good idea. Do you put drainage holes in the bottom of the planting area or is the rendered finish porous?

foamcutter · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 82

birdie · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:12 pm Post subject:

Hi foamcutter.
Where are these types of planter going to be available? Is it mass produced or a custom build?

foamcutter · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 82

Hi Birdie,

The planters that we have completed have been custom built. It's early days yet so we are doing research into this area to see if their is a market for this type of product. I would hope that they would be available through a landscape designer or possibly garden centers. As l said it is early days yet.

squire1 · Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

Hi Foamcutter, these look like an excellent idea.

Any idea of cost at this stage. I would imaging they would be substantially cheaper than building the same out of concrete or block.

Am I correct in thinking they require nothing more than a flat hardstanding surface rather than foundations.

Are they a modular unit that can be put togeteher to make different shapes or do they come as one specifically manufactured/designed piece?

What is the render, just a painted sand/cement mix? What do you use to bond it to the EPS

I know it's early days as you say, but I can see great potential in these if the munufacturing costs can be kept reasonable.

foamcutter · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 82

Squire1Thanks for your comments.

mdvaden · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:36 am Post subject:

How much does that weigh? Or how light is it?

How long does it take to shape a planter like that?

foamcutter · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 82

Md,
I wouldn't know exactly how much it would weigh, but the raw planter was split into 5 parts and they were very easily carried. It is the size that makes them awkward. When in position the joints were stuck together and the whole item was rendered. This makes it heavy enough that it wont blow away. In its raw state I would guess that it would weigh very roughly 90-100kg 200-220lbs.

The cutting process would take about a day to shape the planter. That is the easy part.