How to Use Cardboard for Insulation
Your windows could be costing you money. Most windows cause up to 25 percent of a home's energy loss. To keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, you can insulate your windows using cardboard shutters made from old packing boxes you can get for free at department and appliance stores.
The only cost that you will incur for this project is for the aluminum foil and tape, so it is an economical solution to a common problem.
Things You Will Need
- Measuring tape
- Corrugated cardboard
- Scissors
- Metallic duct tape
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Measure the window you would like to cover with the cardboard shutter. You will want to measure the window's glass, not the frame, to get an accurate measurement for this project.
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Cut four pieces of cardboard to the same size as your window.
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Cover one side of two pieces of cardboard with aluminum foil by taping the foil to the cardboard.
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Sandwich the cardboard without foil between the two pieces of cardboard that are covered in foil. Make sure the foil-covered sides are facing outwards. If done correctly, the "bread" of the sandwich will be foil and the "meat" will be cardboard.
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Tape the cardboard sandwich together. Use several strips of tape on each side to make the shutter sturdy.
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Tape the shutter to your window using one long strip of tape for each side of the shutter. The cardboard will insulate your home from the cold, and the aluminum foil will insulate your home from the heat by reflecting the sun's rays.
Warning
Use only corrugated cardboard. Thin cardboard will not work as well.
The Drip Cap
- Your windows could be costing you money.
- The only cost that you will incur for this project is for the aluminum foil and tape, so it is an economical solution to a common problem.
- Cut four pieces of cardboard to the same size as your window.
- The cardboard will insulate your home from the cold, and the aluminum foil will insulate your home from the heat by reflecting the sun's rays.
References
- "Movable Insulation"; William Langdon; 1980
- Discovery: Stop Heat Loss
Resources
Writer Bio
Since 1998 Alina McKee has written for dozens of traditional and online beauty, fashion, health and parenting publications including Pregnancy.org, Mama Health and Real Beauty. As a professional artist, her articles about these subjects have been used in magazines and websites around the globe. McKee has a diploma in fine art from Stratford Art School.
Photo Credits
- windows image by christophe morgado from Fotolia.com
- windows image by christophe morgado from Fotolia.com
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