Materials for model making, architecture and miniatures

Model making materials for architectural models and dioramas

Here you'll find sheet materials, profiles, wood, kits and small parts for model making and architectural models, whether for an architecture model at university, a diorama, a model airplane or a kit for a quiet evening. Which material is right depends on what your model needs to do: bear weight, bend, stay light or show fine detail.

Which model making material suits which purpose

Thin plastic sheets bend for curves and domes, while thick sheets are stable enough for walls and floors. Balsa wood is very light and soft and works well for model aircraft and ships or for carving. MDF gives you evenly dense baseboards, plinths and housings. Plastic profiles provide rods, tubes and angles for railings, beams and details. For architectural models, clean cut edges and a consistent scale matter. Set the scale before you buy materials so wall thicknesses, profiles and miniatures fit together.

• Plastic or wooden models and kits to snap together or glue
• Miniatures such as brooms, buckets or benches for scenes and dioramas
• Other accessories such as tools, texture sheets, Iceland moss and mini roof tiles
• Glue suited to the material, as wood, MDF and plastic need different adhesives

Tip: Cut thin sheets with a sharp craft knife along a steel ruler in several light passes rather than one hard cut. This keeps the edge straight and stops the material from chipping.