Bubble Wrap Works

[VanGirl]

I decided to try bubble wrap on my windows this past winter. It was the worse winter I have ever seen and bubble wrap worked well up here on the mountain.

 

[caseyc]

Bubble wrap? &nbsp;To keep warm? &nbsp;That's a new one.&nbsp;<br><br>

 

[Wild_E]

Been using bubble wrap now for 2 yrs in Canada. I fold it over do the bubbles are against each other, tape the sides. Works great for me.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Makes sense, reflectix which a lot of people use is just bubble wrap +tinfoil

 

[Wild_E]

Dazar,<br>I agree and thanks for adding that about Reflectix. The advantage of the bubble wrap is that it allows light to come through. Last year I also put plastic up on the inside taped to the wall so trapping the &nbsp;bubble wrap against the window. Yes it kept some of the extra air from coming in though. I have found the air cleaner inside this year as well as providing some more&nbsp;ventilation as I did not put up the clear plastic over the bubble wrap this time.&nbsp;Since I use propane 24/7 due to the cold and wind here. (live in my truck, though it is parked in the back of a farm in exchange for security duties) This year, I made it a more wind proof on the outside and put a 100 gal propane tank there, saving myself hundreds of dollars in propane as well as only filling up the one big tank 3 times, vs ever week for the two smaller 20 lb tanks.<br><br>If you look for my post on setup of my truck in the Truck section, you will see pics of the bubble wrap there that I posted last year. You could also make some lower cost&nbsp;reflectix&nbsp;yourself by adding a layer of the cheap foil&nbsp;emergency blankets. If you use that adhesive spray or just some sprayed on water it will hold against the bubble wrap. tape the sides and it will be quite warm. I use the big bubbles vs the small bubbles, not sure if there is a&nbsp;difference, just got that stuff free!&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>

 

[Scott_1776]

Excellent points, with any type of insulation, it's all about the air gaps, whether&nbsp;bubble wrap, reflectix, itchy fiberglass or polystrene foam board.&nbsp; They all have air pockets that imbedded the transfer of heat from one side to the other, more layers or air pockets (bubbles) the longer it will take for the heat to transfer through.&nbsp; That's why you never want to compress insulation and taping and sealing the edges keeps that air pocket closed in between the bubble wrap or if you layer Reflectix.&nbsp; Think of it like blankets, the more layers you have to warmer you stay!&nbsp; Great idea to use clear bubble wrap on windows so you get the light without the heat loss or gain depending on the season. Happy trails<img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;My practice of covering my windows with translucent Coroplast during the winter adds up to the same thing re. insulation/light. Trapped air, in cells small enough to limit convection, does the trick. ..Willy.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Reflectix is a good product, but many people think that the reflective layer is some magical layer. &nbsp;The fact is that if it is stuffed next to a wall, and covered with something else, then the reflective layer does nothing and is no more effective than an equal thickness of bubblewrap sealed on the edges. It is only the trapped air in between the two layers of reflective plastic doing the insulating.<br><br>Bubble wrap varies in design. &nbsp;Two layers interlocking with sealed edges should be considered minimum.<br><br>Reflectix and similar probably resists direct application of heat much better than plain bubble wrap, meaning that bubble wrap might catch fire easy and burn fast and hot, Reflectix probably takes more direct heat to ignite and burns slower.<br><br>My local 99 cent store has been selling large window shades similar to reflectix, but is only half the thickness and probably will shed the shiny stuff with much exposure to UV, but I use it as it is easy to work with, and cheap.<br><br>The arm rests on my most used captain's chair are exclusively bubble wrap under the covers. &nbsp;I never throw the stuff out, and man o man do I get angry when a package arrives stuffed with styrofoam peanuts!

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Yup, you need that air space between the shiny side(s) of reflective insulation and any solid object. This brings up another point.. a lot of people leave the reflective layer bare on the walls, seeing no real point in covering it up. Well, seeing as it derives a latge amount of its' R-value from reflecting infrared light back, consider what happens when dust, dirt, cooking grease, smoke and general crud gets on it. Look at a mirror, and then blow some dust on that mirror (like a side-view mirror, let's say).. get's harder 'n harder to see yourself as more crud gets on the mirror. Same principle applies with radiant barriers. Putting a panel in front, with an air gap, keeps the surface pristine and R-value high. Another thing it does is restrict conductive heat transfer to the material, similar to how windchill works in the winter. ..Willy.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Spa/hot tub solar covers are made of a heavier blue material and can sometimes be salvaged from their dumpsters.<br>We have insulated covers that snap on the front cockpit windshield/windows of our RV. Without those and some other window treatments we would have had some pretty uncomfortable nights eventho we were in S. Arizona.<br>I can't imagine living up north in winter where its cold all the time, not to mention having to put up with snow. Nope, not for this snowbird.

 

[Wild_E]

it is not cold all the time!!<br>just for about 4-5 months of the year, it is called Variety !! ;p<br><br>

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Note that I said cold all the time in winter <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br>At least in S. Az it usually warms in the daytime.<br>I'm old and skinny, so cold goes right to the bone.<br>Some people might like it, but not me.

 

[Salida Scarlett]

<br><br>I haven't bought my RV yet. At this stage, with my adult son maybe wanting to change states, scenery and jobs, and come along with me,&nbsp; I've been thinking about getting a nice travel trailer that we could both live in.<br><br> We're both thinking about Idaho Falls, on the Eastern border of Idaho. So, the question that comes to mind is, am I going to have to be overly concerned about plumbing freezing up in the winter, and what to do about it. <br><br><br>I used to live in Wyoming, but not in an RV or travel trailer. I just know busted pipes would really cause some unpleasant issues.

 

[Kenny]

Bubble wrap does work.&nbsp; It's in-expensive and easy to work with.&nbsp; I took my reflextic down, taped up the bubble wrap and put the reflextic back up.&nbsp; Worth the time, money and effort for sure.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[Zil]

Scarlett, yes you have to be concerned about the RV water system freezing. It will freeze in the winters of Idaho. Stuff breaks when water freezes. Bubble wrap will not protect the undercarriage where the pipes and tanks freeze.

 

[Salida Scarlett]

Thanks for responding ZIL...I've been incommunicado for&nbsp; month now...traveling. My first effort in this has been both an adventure and a misadventure. Long story short I won't get into right now...but skirting, insulation, and freeze-up prevention is going to be a major concern this winter. Just camped out on the East side of Monarch, Colorado on the banks of the Trout laden Arkansas headwater area near Salida, CO. Since I plan to stay here..(son has to find work), gearing up for winter is going to be a project in a couple months.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">&nbsp;

 

[k&p Catalano]

Does anyone know how well bubble wrap would hold up if you used it as your primary insulation (several layers) in the walls? Would the constant extremes of hot and cold on &nbsp;the layer directly against the walls eventually cause the bubble wrap to deteriorate? I've hard that trapped air is the best insulator. Has anyone found this to be true?<br>Thanks,<br>k

 

[Wild_E]

If your going to use bubble wrap for the wall insulation, I would go the industrial bubble wrap route. That stuff is designed to last a lot longer.&nbsp;<br>I have not used it for main insulation, though if you put a layer of paper//foil against the walls (kinda like tarpaper) it would help with the rubbing and moisture issues I think?

 

[k&p Catalano]

Thanks for the input Wild_E. I notice you have a box truck...I always used to say my dream car was a stepvan. Now that I've found this forum and had my eyes opened to all of the other possibilities...I'm totally confused...but LOVIN It!<br>-k-

 

[Wild_E]

K&amp;P<br>good luck, you might evolve and change over time what you want to live in. Nothing is wrong, you and your ideas just evolve so take it easy and have fun.