So I wanted to post a few pics of the cemetery columns I finished for my yard this yea I'm pretty proud of them and cheap to make as well. I found old bi-fold closet doors at a salvage store for 1-3 bucks a pair. Removed the hardware then glued and nailed them together, to get my frames. This gives them a nice weight to handle the Oklahoma wind without being to heavy to move. Then I covered them in blue insulation(3/4 inch is all that is available in my area). Then I hit them with acetone, dry locked and then painted them black and then a light roll of dry lock. I got the skulls at the party store they are actually yard stakes. Looks pretty good I think.
They look great. I like the idea of building a solid core and putting the foam on the outside. I just used cheap plywood and painted it. The lack of texture bothered me. I might have to follow your lead on this...