#190911 - 12/15/09 05:00 PM
Improvised storm windows and insulation
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 2463
Loc: Central California
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As the major surprise storm rages it has cracked a window or two and, as you are now many days without utilities, it is getting colder where you are bugging in. You decide you must improvise something like storm windows, reinforce the windows that have been cracked so they do not fail, and further insulate all the windows.
Going to the home supply store is out, you start looking around your place, and do what?
Edited by dweste (12/15/09 05:01 PM)
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#190931 - 12/15/09 07:12 PM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: dweste]
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Old Hand
Registered: 11/25/06
Posts: 742
Loc: MA
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Cardboard. And plastic sheeting. I live an apt that had one window poorly sealed. As soon as the weather turns, I put up some cardboard I had trimmed to fit, put that over the window, then seal it all with plastic taped to the sill. The window faces my neighbors fence, so I dont really mind losing that view.
The rest of the windows get just the plain old plastic sheeting treatment.
Taught & clear are the keys-the idea is to minimize air movement between the glass & the plastic, and the clarity allows the sun to still come through. I try to avoid turning the heat on as much as I can, and have already caved a few times this year...this helps with the heating bill though!
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#190935 - 12/15/09 07:32 PM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: oldsoldier]
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Product Tester
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 11/14/04
Posts: 1928
Loc: Mountains of CA
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Cardboard. And plastic sheeting. I live an apt that had one window poorly sealed. As soon as the weather turns, I put up some cardboard I had trimmed to fit, put that over the window, then seal it all with plastic taped to the sill. The window faces my neighbors fence, so I dont really mind losing that view.
The rest of the windows get just the plain old plastic sheeting treatment.
Taught & clear are the keys-the idea is to minimize air movement between the glass & the plastic, and the clarity allows the sun to still come through. I try to avoid turning the heat on as much as I can, and have already caved a few times this year...this helps with the heating bill though! Get some reflectix to go behind your blinds so you can't see them, but on the inside side of your other coverings. This stuff works pretty good, all the RVers swear by it. It's very affordable. In my old apartment we used cardboard against the windows, and then blackout shades for blinds. Worked good.
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#190955 - 12/15/09 10:56 PM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: Todd W]
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Geezer
Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
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If you've got some gorilla tape, dry the glass and tape the crack. Even cracked, it's still a barrier.
The large-bubble bubblepak works quite well taped to the inside of the glass where you want/need light. But that's here in a relatively mild winter area. For you poor souls in the really cold ares, maybe stack straw bales on the inside of all exterior walls... ;-)
Sue
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#191112 - 12/17/09 08:35 AM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: Susan]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 2463
Loc: Central California
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Going to get something outside of what is already at your place is out; you are limited to using what is on hand.
Thinking about what is in your home, garage, etcetera, what would you do?
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#191114 - 12/17/09 10:49 AM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: dweste]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 382
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ducktape and nails,
trash bags and closet doors,
spare mattress, airbed, shower curtains
patio furniture, grill cover, tents
waterproof some bedsheets with leftover paint (have glossy kitchen/bath kind, and living room latex)
but realistically it would never get to that
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#191124 - 12/17/09 02:11 PM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: EMPnotImplyNuclear]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 02/16/08
Posts: 2463
Loc: Central California
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harvest screws, nails, paneling, and drywall from interior walls
ceiling tiles
inflate those vacuum storage bags
newspaper
wallpaper
furniture cushions
pillows
dog or cat bed
stacked paper goods, towels, TP, boxes of tissue
contact shelf paper
bulletin and white boards
wall hangings
pictures / photos in frames
glue
expanding foam insulation
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#191126 - 12/17/09 02:20 PM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: dweste]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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Work on the outside. Tack up tarps and fill with snow,leaf litter, potting soil, dog poop, or what have you.
Restrict activities to a well insulated inner room.
Wear more clothes. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing (from my brother in Minnesota, who survives every winter and loves it). My available clothing has taken me to -30 F comfortably.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief
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#191147 - 12/17/09 06:00 PM
Re: Improvised storm windows and insulation
[Re: dweste]
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Product Tester
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 11/14/04
Posts: 1928
Loc: Mountains of CA
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harvest screws, nails, paneling, and drywall from interior walls
ceiling tiles
inflate those vacuum storage bags
newspaper
wallpaper
furniture cushions
pillows
dog or cat bed
stacked paper goods, towels, TP, boxes of tissue
contact shelf paper
bulletin and white boards
wall hangings
pictures / photos in frames
glue
expanding foam insulation
Newspaper is a great idea! And most people have that on hand too.
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