Window Sandwich

Share with us your alternative energy ideas and projects. Tell us about your experiments, no matter how far-fetched they may seem.

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busybee1952

I hate the idea of putting plastic over my windows again this year and was looking for alternate methods of keeping out the drafts. I ran across an article that looked very promising except that it would also block out the light. So, I am proposing a variation on the theme here by using 2 sheets of styrofoam cut exactly the same size with the middles cut out and a piece of heavy plastic in between them. What do you think?

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Homestea ... t-Two.aspx
Gary Gary
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:07 am
Location: Bozeman, MT
Contact:

Hi,
The way I understand what you want to do is to essentially have a transparent window in the middle of the Styrofoam insulation panels.
It seems to me that this would work. Your R value would drop down to about R1 in the clear area of your pop-in foam panel, but the overall all R value would still be good if the clear part is fairly small.
I would consider using something like Atlas R-Board instead of the polystyrene foam board. The R-Board is polyisocyanurate insulation, which has a higher R value, and the R-Board has face sheets that look nice and might provide a bit of fire resistance. The polyiso insulation also has a much higher temperature capability, so it won't melt as the polystyrene might. Here is a picture of one shutter we made with R-Board:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Co ... ngDoor.htm


A couple alternatives:
We use inside storm windows made from triple wall polycarbonate. This is about R3, and provides lots of daylight and some view (but the view is a bit distorted). The panels are easy to make, easy to install, and should last for many many years. You can leave them up all year or take them down for the summer.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Co ... Window.htm
The polycarbonate material is very tough -- its the football helmet stuff, and its treated with a UV resistant finish.



You could also use a single sheet of clear Acrylic plastic. This stuff is so clear that you can't see it at all, and it can stay up all year if you don't need to open the window.
There are a couple of these described here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Co ... Treatments
They can be held in place with just Velcro, which makes putting them up easy. Around here, it runs about $2 per sqft.

You can estimate your fuel saving for storm windows with this calculator:
http://www.builditsolar.com/References/ ... pgrade.htm
It will estimate the savings for the increase in R value, but will not do the savings due to air infiltration (if any).

Gary
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Yanita
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Posts: 3369
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:16 pm
Location: Eastern N. Carolina

Hi,

I did not have time to check out all your links.

It's been awhile since this was discussed but I remember someone suggesting bubble wrap, again you will not have a clear view but you will still have light.

You could easily build a lightweight frame, using the bubble wrap in the center, add hinges and then you have yourself some interior shutters.

Just a thought,

Yanita
The difference between success and failure is who gives up first!
Indians

GaryGary-

Were can you buy Polycarbonate glazing? At Menard's, Home Depot?

Or anyone?

Thanks

Indians
Gary Gary
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:07 am
Location: Bozeman, MT
Contact:

Indians wrote:GaryGary-

Were can you buy Polycarbonate glazing? At Menard's, Home Depot?

Or anyone?

Thanks

Indians
Hi,
The hardware stores and big boxes around here don't carry the double or triple wall polycarbonate glazing.
I think the best places to try are the places that handle supplies for greenhouses, since this is where most of the multi-wall polycarb is used.

If you can't find a local place, you can order it from an Internet supplier. There are a couple listed on my site here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/References/ ... tm#Glazing

Be sure to check both the price of the polycarb and the shipping -- some places charge a lot for shipping.

Gary
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