Thread: Fake Facade on house

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I was thinking of making a fake facade on my house this year for Halloween. I'm just trying to figure out the best way to do it and to secure it. I don't want to spend a fortune in materials. I was thinking the 1 inch thick insulation or OSB, which is only like $5 for a 4x8 sheet. Anyone ever done something like this?

I'm looking at a fake facade as well. I'm leary of the 1" insulation. How are your winds in Kentucky, because the insulation would never work here. The osb is probably your best shot, but be careful as it soaks up paint like crazy. You will want to prime it first.

Ever heard of billboard tarps? Those large billboards on the highway are wrapped with vinyl advertising that is white on the back side. When they change those out they usually throw them away. My hubby worked for a billboard company for 10 years and we have huge stacks of it that we use for everything. In fact I am using it for the front of two of my haunts this year and painting scenes on it. Call your local billboard companies and ask about their used vinyls. Some companies will give them away, others sell them for pretty cheap. A few can be jerks and refuse so call them all. They are great for everything from fake walls to rooftops (we are also using them to cover our Spider cave). If you find a company that is easy to work with (each one if different) you might can even get them to save the halloween designs that come down after Halloween. Instant decorations that are HUGE!!!

Our winds right now are crazy! I did have to stake down some of my stuff last year. I've gotten some of the billboard tarps before for free. I know a guy whose wife used to work at a billboard company, so having connections is great! I'll keep thinking of ideas. I may scrap the idea. I've got time to think though!

OSB is good material, although you have to store is high & dry (even if you paint it) because we find that it soaks up water like crazy and then it tends to mould & mildew.

Are you looking to cover the whole front of your house? If so I would use foam instead of osb. Osb gets very heavy very fast. If you are opposed to using foam you could use luan, its only about 10 bucks a sheet.

Or, you can use a combination thereof. Backing foam with luan, OSB, 1/4 cdx (exterior grade ply: long term, the best & most expensive solution) will give it a much more resilient . As noted on OSB, but is also relevant to luan, it's very hygroscopic (absorbs water easily, OSB more so than Luan), so if you go that route, be sure to use a very good sealer on it. On the plus side of OSB, it's dirt cheap, with full sheets at around $7-8 for 7/16"