Thread: Any facade builders out there?

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For our haunted carnival next year we are looking to build some facades. The thing is we don't know what is the best stuff to use. Any suggestions? We are talking about facades like you would see at a school play or something on the lines of that. Im thinking ply wood but is there another way?

I've done a couple. We use 2x3 lumber for framing. If you want something sturdy, osb works well. We also have a castle wall facade that spans our driveway, which is constructed of a 2x4 frame and covered in 2 inch foam which is routed to look like stone. Will this be free standing or attached to an existing structure? How big of a facade are you looking at?

There is a ton of detailed info on facade construction in JB Corn's book series, available for free download here.

Originally Posted by Phil

There is a ton of detailed info on facade construction in JB Corn's book series, available for free download here.

Oh, what a resource! I was thinking it was going to be a little 3 or 4 page how-to. It's 100 pages, YIKES! Also, if you go to the home page, it also has a link where you can download pictures (around 100!). Thank you

By the way everybody, the instructions are for making a portable, modular, dark attraction but many of it's construction ideas can be used for all kinds of things.

It is so cool that Mr. Corn's family decided to freely distribute his books after he passed away. A generous act and fitting legacy.

In high school we used muslin stretched over a wood frame for background facades. We only used ply if actors were interacting with it.

While not exactly haunt-related, this site has an excellent free booklet in PDF form for theaters (making backdrops, props, etc.) using mostly cardboard.

GUIDE

Here are a couple I have built. The first one is 2" foam and a PVC frame. The second is 2"x4" frame and faux brick panels. I later added boarded windows to the brick.

I have created a few facades for my haunted house. the i built out of 2x4 and 5.2 milimeter laun board. the other ones i built out of 1x3 and the same panels boards. the 1x3 are very light weight.

Thanks everyone. I think we will use pvc framing and foam.
JohnF3- Your facades are great looking.