J
j
An idea to pass along.
I've been making indoor storms. These are made out of 1/2" (1/2" is
about optimal air space) thick frames ripped from white pine 2 by stock.
2x6's seem to be made out of better wood than 2x4's, so I've been using
that. Half lap joints for the corners. Then, seal the wood.
Spray contact cement on one side of the frame and plop it down on a
sheet of mylar (I work on a glass top so I can cut with a blade right on
top of the glass, quick and easy). Cut the mylar to size and repeat for
the other side. 2 mil mylar works well (under $.20/SF), but 1 mil is
half the price. The contact adhesive has some working time so you can
pull any ripples out of the mylar using your fingers against the frame.
My friends and myself have old double hung windows, so the frames sit
against the window frame. What you wind up with is a poor mans triple
glazed window. IR temp measurements come close to the insulated wall
temps, the difference in room comfort is very noticeable. The U value is
higher than I expected.
Windows are dead clear, you may see some ripples at low angles at night,
otherwise you can't tell they are there. Mylar needs to be inside as it
deteriorates under UVB which ordinary glass blocks.
Just thought I would pass this along. For roughly the cost of replacing
one old school window you can get roughly the same thermal improvement
for the whole house. And they look good!
One mylar source:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/search.aspx?search=mylar&page=1
HTH
Jeff
I've been making indoor storms. These are made out of 1/2" (1/2" is
about optimal air space) thick frames ripped from white pine 2 by stock.
2x6's seem to be made out of better wood than 2x4's, so I've been using
that. Half lap joints for the corners. Then, seal the wood.
Spray contact cement on one side of the frame and plop it down on a
sheet of mylar (I work on a glass top so I can cut with a blade right on
top of the glass, quick and easy). Cut the mylar to size and repeat for
the other side. 2 mil mylar works well (under $.20/SF), but 1 mil is
half the price. The contact adhesive has some working time so you can
pull any ripples out of the mylar using your fingers against the frame.
My friends and myself have old double hung windows, so the frames sit
against the window frame. What you wind up with is a poor mans triple
glazed window. IR temp measurements come close to the insulated wall
temps, the difference in room comfort is very noticeable. The U value is
higher than I expected.
Windows are dead clear, you may see some ripples at low angles at night,
otherwise you can't tell they are there. Mylar needs to be inside as it
deteriorates under UVB which ordinary glass blocks.
Just thought I would pass this along. For roughly the cost of replacing
one old school window you can get roughly the same thermal improvement
for the whole house. And they look good!
One mylar source:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/search.aspx?search=mylar&page=1
HTH
Jeff