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I need a slightly flexible catch wall material to around a track that is higher off the ground than most. Its 8 x 16 feet, and the catch wall will go around the outside of the rectangle, rather than following the track path. I was thinking about a rubber baseboard material that comes in big rolls for use in office buildings and schools, then I found out how much that stuff costs. That's out. I can't think of another building material like it. If I build it from wood, it will be uncomfortable to reach over. The best I can do in that situation is to round the top of the wall. Any ideas?

How tall an edge?

I think that stuff may be too flexible without something to stake it up, Dave. I'll go look at it.

Harry, I only need about 4 inches or less. I can make a wood wall and top it with a flexible material, I think, but all I really want to be sure cars won't make a 4 foot drop to concrete, but still not bruise the guys reaching over it. Maybe I should just round over the wall and make it out of soft pine, painted to look like concrete on the inside and a color on the outside. When the scenery is added, the wall should look like a seawall or a Corps of Engineers levee breach gate.

Well....why not good old plastic gutter guard?

Cheap, flexible, and easy to reach over.

The trouble there is that the posts to hold it up would be like spikes for the guy leaning over. Remember this track is higher off the ground than most.

Rob, couldn't you just use a staple gun to attach the gutter guard around the table and you wouldnt need posts? Its rigid enough to stand on its own if it was attached that way.

If you want to go really cheap, use vinyl siding, you can get a 12' piece for under $4. If you cut it into strips, you can get about a 3.5" wide. It isn't the easiest to cut, you will need shears. Another option is vinyl soffit, it is 8" but is about $12 for 10'.
All the white border on my test track is vinyl siding.


Tom

Tom, that's it! Perfect. And I have loads of it left from doing the house and outbuildings a few years ago. Excellent!

By the way, its best to cut that stuff with a sharp plywood blade turned around backwards on a table saw or circular saw.