Shopping--What did you buy?

[John Brunner]

A guy on Youtube used some exterior plywood to cover the top, and attached styrofoam to the underside of the plywood. Naturally he left a cut-out for the animals to be able to drink.

Lowe's sells 4x8 sheets of insulating foam board. It comes in various thicknesses (different R Values.)

If I went that way, I would start with a 4x8 sheet of the plastic paneling that's used in showers/surrounds rather than tile. It's much lighter than plywood and might stand up to the weather better.

The issue with either solution becomes making certain that there's nothing toxic involved.

 

[Beth Gallagher]

Lowe's sells 4x8 sheets of insulating foam board. It comes in various thicknesses (different R Values.)

If I went that way, I would start with a 4x8 sheet of the plastic paneling that's used in showers/surrounds rather than tile. It's much lighter than plywood and might stand up to the weather better.

The issue with either solution becomes making certain that there's nothing toxic involved.

Right, but a rigid top cover would not touch the water. There are probably good solutions to be found on ranching/farming forums so I'd poke around on the internet a while. Maybe @Faye Fox will have a good idea for Connie.