I will be putting up at least 2 new elevated (8'-10') deer blinds for next season. I am looking for a type of side panels that is light-weight, but yet very durable. I'm thinking something like a plastic sheet or fiberglass panels. I have used the typical 1/2" plywood, but would prefer something lighter and more durable.

Any ideas?

I have seen some really nice blinds made from r panel. That would be what I build out of if I needed light and durability.

Walter

Yes, I thought about that also. After cutting windows and such, I would need to cover the edges, though.

Thin r panel and corners from a construction site or metal yard. I have a large roll of flashing that I can bend and wrap corners with. Go with tin and it'll way outlast most all others materials.

For the edges you could go with the flashing from a metal yard or could go as simple as some angle iron that is small.

Walter

R-Panel works well, especially the pre-painted variety. Very durable. Chad, they make corner flashing specifically for the panel. For a deluxe setup, find an insulation contractor to seal it with the spray-in foam.

Hardi-panel is also very durable, but definitely not light.

Going to be building at least 3 this spring and am going to do it out of 3'0"×6'8" slab doors. Metal surface on both side and already insulated. I have a source for them where I can get a few at there cost, but you might check out a salvage building material place for these and/or the Rpanel

If you can find some they work great. Old plastic truck bed liners, the type that everyone hates because everything just slides around. Sometimes used car dealerships take them out of trade ins.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_12737-1115-1208C_0__?productId=3010593&Ntt=coorugated+panel&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dcoorugated%2Bpanel&facetInfo=

I used these and just wrapped around the corner

"R panel"? I thought that was the blue-tinted insulation stuff carried by HD, Lowe's ,etc. No? If yes, it is really light weight, but won't it break down fast if left exposed to the elements? Seems really soft to me.

R panel is "ridged" sheet metal panels.

that is R-board

I have built several out of metal r-panel, 4x4x6 16ft tower "stand is pipe and angle" and 4x6x6 2man. I can move and relocate both by myself 2man is about 125 lbs tower about 250lbs
I bought the 2x3 base angel from Mueller, paper thin 14gauge and strong as it gets, can be welded or screwed

I would like to see some pictures of them if you get a chance.

I saw some corrugated brown plastic sheets Lowes the other day
looked like tin panels but were brown and I think only like 20 bucks andlight

I thought they would make for easy blind material