XPost: misc.consumers.frugal-living   
   From: muratlanne@gmail.com   
      
   "j"  wrote in message   
   news:k9l3t1$rm5$1@news.albasani.net...   
   >  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....   
   >   
   > Jeff   
      
   I made a set in 1981 and have mentioned them on alt.energy.homepower a   
   few times, generating no followup questions to fill in the details I   
   intentionally omitted. I got the idea and the Mylar from John   
   Stephenson who makes Warmlite camping gear and has played with Mylar   
   film insulation since the 1950's.   
      
   They work fine and most have survived without a tear. The window glass   
   has kept UV from noticeably yellowing the film. The only maintenance   
   has been replacing the closed cell weatherstripping that makes them a   
   snug press fit in the window trim. Instead of cement I used   
   double-stick tape and my wife and I stretched the plastic over the   
   frame the same way theatre flats are covered with canvas, ie working   
   from the centers toward the corners. Then we wrapped the edges with 2"   
   clear packaging tape.   
      
   Before covering the frames I stained them to match the windows so they   
   practically disappear from inside. From outside the reflection of a   
   few slight ripples shows at certain angles.   
      
   On the exposed upwind side of the house I added retainers made from   
   brass L hooks straightened, looped at the end and then bent 45 degrees   
   in the center to make thumb latches, two per window.   
      
   Infrared thermometer measurements of black tape on the plastic and the   
   wall show only a few degrees difference when the outside temp is well   
   below freezing. They seal the windows enough that winter-time humidity   
   remains above 40%.   
      
   It takes some cabinet-making skill to make invisible mortice and tenon   
   corner joints. Ten of the eleven window frames I made would hold   
   together without glue. The patio door frames were too big to stand   
   upright on the table saw so I dowelled them, which has held up fine.   
      
   jsw   
   .   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)