Foam

Advantages:

• Inexpensive

• Easy to cut through

Disadvantages:

• Foam is soft and easily shows marks made by the router bit

• Will have manufacture defects

• Not created for crafting, so there will be 1" score marks in the foam for insulation

• More clean up needed

• Can easily warp

Summary:

The inexpensive material is great for prototypes and quick models. It is not recommended to use the material for any final or finished models.

Advantages:

• Easy to cut through

• High structural integrity 

• Comes in multiple thicknesses 

• Less clean up needed

Disadvantages:

• Has specific requirements for finishing

• Harder to obtain in retail stores

• Moderately priced

Summary:

The material is great for final and finished models. There is a higher chance that the material can only be obtain from online hobby stores, so factor in time and costs when using this material. It requires delicate sanding, if needed, and can only be painted with water-based or acrylic-base paint.

Advantages:

• Easy to cut through

• Extremely high structural integrity 

• Comes in multiple densities, thicknesses, and colors

• Less clean up needed

Disadvantages:

• Has specific requirements for finishing

• Sourced from the manufacture 

• More than $100 per 24"x48" sheet

Summary:

The material is great for final and finished models. Harder to obtain since the material is sourced from the manufacture, so factor in time and costs when using this material. It requires delicate sanding, if needed, and can only be painted with water-based or acrylic-base paint.