Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Stuart G

(38,726 posts)
Mon Nov 26, 2018, 07:58 PM Nov 2018

Very cheap, and Very Ugly way to improve insulation from a wall facing the cold wind.

Winter is upon us again. Yes, I have a wall that faces the West and Northwest cold winds..Where I live in Illinois we face brutal winters and that wall doesn't seem to insulate very well. But I fixed it.
......Yes, that wall is very ugly with the fix.
......Yes the fix was very, very cheap...but ugly.
......No, I did not have any major construction done on the wall.
......NO, I did not paint it, or add another wall over that wall. You know, like add some wall boards over the wall for insulation..NO..

What did you do?.....I bought a large roll of masking tape...
........................Then I bought some sheets...got up on a ladder..and hung the sheets over the wall..covering the entire wall. So the wall was covered by the sheets I bought. So, I had one layer of sheets, and then added another layer of sheets. The sheets were clean when I hung them up, so they covered the wall. ..
............sounds absolutely ugly and awful........yes, it does not look good. A wall covered by 2 layers of sheets.??...................You got to be kidding?........except it insulates the wall from the cold wind.....
...........and the room is warmer with that double layer of sheets covering the entire wall. Come spring, I may take them down, and wash them. yes, it keeps the hot air out too (summer)..You say that is ridiculous..
OK...I say that is ridiculous.....but it works....Where did you get that ridiculous idea????

When I go to sleep at night, I sleep with a double layer of sheets. The bedroom gets cold and that double layer of sheets over me really keeps me comfortable and warm.. So, I tried it on the wall, with the cold air..Yes, I have blankets on me at night, and no I don't put blankets on the wall.. The double layer of sheets over the wall protects the inside against the very cold wind and zero degree cold air. Yes, you could cover windows if that is what you want for a few months. If it really improves the temperature and cuts down the cold air................................................................OH DID I FORGET TO TELL YOU.................
...................................THAT WALL IS VERY, VERY UGLY,.. BUT MUCH WARMER....sheets insulate the wall, just like the sheets insulate me when I sleep....its cheap, how much are 4 large sheets to hang on a an entire wall?..and some making tape....oh..it does reduce the heating bill a little, but yes it does keep that room warmer.
.........................it is very very ugly......but I am not running a show for home designers....Oh, If it doesn't work, take sheets down and use them on your bed. All you have wasted is a large roll of masking tape...This is not recommended by the home designers club, the painters club, or the wall board manufacturers..or the carpenters....Hanging sheets on a wall to provide some insulation, is not new. It has been done before. The masking take will hold up the sheets for the winter. Use as much as you need to keep the sheets in place. Yes, it will work, it worked for me, it is simple to understand, and a couple of people could cover a wall in a relatively short time.......oh...did I tell you..2 things..it is cheap, and VERY VERY UGLY. BUT it works...

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Very cheap, and Very Ugly way to improve insulation from a wall facing the cold wind. (Original Post) Stuart G Nov 2018 OP
Ingenious solution to a real-life problem, Stuart G Glorfindel Nov 2018 #1
I will try to take a picture, I don't know how to post it here. Stuart G Nov 2018 #7
Could you run a double curtain rod along the length of the wall and fierywoman Nov 2018 #2
almost as cheap... and even "uglier" lapfog_1 Nov 2018 #3
Will it stand up to wind? 3Hotdogs Nov 2018 #4
Yes, the wall itself offers protection, but the double layer does not let the wind in, and the wind Stuart G Nov 2018 #6
I made a door blanket for my north facing metal door. Delmette2.0 Nov 2018 #5
Try bubblewrap next time. sweetroxie Nov 2018 #8

Glorfindel

(9,911 posts)
1. Ingenious solution to a real-life problem, Stuart G
Mon Nov 26, 2018, 08:03 PM
Nov 2018

Can you post a photo? I'd really like to see that. And remember, ugliness is in the eye of the beholder!

fierywoman

(8,095 posts)
2. Could you run a double curtain rod along the length of the wall and
Mon Nov 26, 2018, 08:07 PM
Nov 2018

hang the sheets from that? I think It's a very, very clever solution, and I think that if you really can't stand the ugliness, you'll figure out something clever to fix that too!

lapfog_1

(30,072 posts)
3. almost as cheap... and even "uglier"
Mon Nov 26, 2018, 08:09 PM
Nov 2018

go to the local feed store and buy bales of straw ( not hay ). Stack them outside against the wall that faces the cold wind. Come spring the bottom layer will be partially rotted... use them as mulch... the rest can be used in your barn for bedding or spread around the garden to protect the early sprouts.

Stuart G

(38,726 posts)
6. Yes, the wall itself offers protection, but the double layer does not let the wind in, and the wind
Mon Nov 26, 2018, 08:57 PM
Nov 2018

does not push the sheets off the wall.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Consumer Advice»Very cheap, and Very Ugly...