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Heating & Air Conditioning

Bubble Wrap Insulation

15 years ago

Hello, I've been researching bubble wrap to use in my BRRRR cold uninsulated house. Yeah, I know theres things I am looking intoo for long term solution but in the meantime I want to attach bubblewrap insulation to those walls that are adjacent to the outside. I may attach fabric to the side facing indoors so that it looks attractive.

There seems to be 2 kinds, clear/transulecent made for green houses and the type with the reflective backing. Is there any benefit to using one over the other? If I use the reflective backing does that face the inside of the house or the outside?

And, do you have an opinion about whether I'll notice a difference? Right now its so bad that the air in the center of the house registers a temp of about 68 degrees but the air near the exterior walls/windows register about 10-15 degrees lower. A guy came over yesterday re: the attic insulation and was measuring the temps of my house with the infrared detector. He said the windows were doing a better job of insulating the house than the walls! HAHAHHA! (these are cement block walls & the windows are just the flimsy old single pane glass)

We are having another wave of subzero temps this weekend here in Wisconsin so pls. tell me ASAP everything and anything about bubble wrap insulation!

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Comments (6)

zl700
15 years ago
Depending on the bubble wrap, it is and many argue has a R1-R2 Value. You would be better off sticking 1" blueboard foam to the walls, taping the seams and covering with your fabric.

Besides the boards will be much easier to hang. Goinging one step further, if you fur the blueboard out with 3/4" wood strips, the air barrier behind it will add a significant insulating factor overall.
fotostat
15 years ago
blueboard is VERY expensive, no?
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I don't think it will require the use of additional lighting, but, if you are planning to take the bubble wrap off in the spring, double-faced tape could be a mess. If it holds the bubble wrap on tightly enough to resist winter winds, the tape will possibly cause the bubble wrap to tear when you remove it. What is the material covering the greenhouse now? Plastic sheeting or...?
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andrelaplume2
15 years ago
1" X 2' X 8' at HD is $8.56 by me. Also you need to put something flame retardent over it if you wan to be safe. I'd look into have cellulose blow in.
aggie_1961
15 years ago
I just came from Lowes and was looking at blue board for a different reason. You can buy it here (central Kentucky) for $10.50 for 1/2" thick 4x8 sheet. The 3/4" thick was 13.48/sheet. I believe the R value on 1/2" was 6 and on the 3/4" was around 8.
User
15 years ago
If there's going to be that big of a temperature difference between the wall you're covering and the indoor ambient temperature, be sure not to seal the material to the wall tightly. The walls will condense moisture from the air and cause mold to start growing.

As zl700 mentioned, you could put wood strips on the wall to act as spacers, but don't go snug against the floor and ceiling. This will allow the air to circulate behind (hopefully enough). It may feel like a draft, true, but it would be far better than removing the foam or bubble wrap to find a big growth of mold.

What are your plans for a permanent fix? You mention that these are cement block walls. Would you put foam on the exterior next summer? It must cost a fortune to keep your home warm. :-(
baymee
15 years ago
Blueboard works great. I have it beneath the drywall in all my exterior walls and 2nd floor ceiling. It's one inch thick, as that was all that was available in '77. Been heating this single home for 30 years with a 40,000 BTUH wood stove in eastern PA.

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