Will carpet provide more insulation value over thermal curtains?

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East

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Assume both are sealed well for the sake of argument. I'm isolating the driving area from the back of the vehicle, think partition wall in a full size van. I've used curtains in the past but no longer had a need for them due to climate. That's changing, though because I won't be going anywhere hospitable this winter. I've come by a bunch of higher quality carpet so I'm thinking of screwing it in place and sealing the edges, just painting the cab facing side black and using it as a curtain sort of. Do you think this would prevent cold transfer better than a thermal curtain?

I could potentially put reflectix on the cab side (backside) of the carpet or between two layers of carpet to create an tiny air gap if that would help.

I don't want a rigid partition for a number of reasons so that's not in the cards.

Any thoughts?
 
I did a quick google on the R-value of carpet

Carpet Thickness > R-Value
1/2" > R-1.4
3/4" > R-1.8
1" > R-2.2

Reflectix has an r of 1.x. Neither have very good R-value. A piece of foam (cheap sleeping pad) has twice that R-value (roughly 2-4) at probably half the thickness.

A heavy drapery can have an R value of up to 7 if sealed.
 
Van-Tramp said:
I did a quick google on the R-value of carpet

Carpet Thickness > R-Value
1/2" > R-1.4
3/4" > R-1.8
1" > R-2.2

Reflectix has an r of 1.x. Neither have very good R-value. A piece of foam (cheap sleeping pad) has twice that R-value (roughly 2-4) at probably half the thickness.

A heavy drapery can have an R value of up to 7 if sealed.

Thanks for that info, appreciate it. I will consider foam if I can find some cheaply. I believe I could seal up the carpet with a draft proof backing like reflectix, work my way around the edges and make sure they overlap and seal. I think sealing the bottom would be the most challenging. Probably starting this project tomorrow unless I find some cheaper foam options nearby.
 
I just bought a king size quilt at a second hand store for around $12. that would make a good partition. You might even be able to find one that is goose down. I have made insulating walls by gluing cardboard together. It can be painted with latex paint to make it somewhat water resistant, (as in propane heater and body moisture). You can buy full sheets of it cheap, or if you have a source and glue, get it for free. If buying new I would get double wall to start with. The R value of cardboard is, R-3 to R-4 per inch according to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation).

Another product that has some insulating value and can be painted is the plastic used for political advertisements. It is coroplast. The cost new is higher than cardboard, but again you can find it for free used. http://thetinylife.com/tag/emergency-shelter/

Reflectix on the inside would help bounce the heat energy back into the compartment.
 
Appreciate all the advice here. I found some currogated plastic sheeting I'll use as a base and do a semi rigid wall with a curtain (sleeping bag) pass through door. Likely doing reflectix on the cab side of the currogated plastic with the carpet on the cargo side. Debating on covering the carpet with another breathable material just for aesthetics. I actually stopped in at a few secondhand stores, no luck on a bag big enough or two that matched but I did find a good one for the passthrough. Decided that as long as I get a little flex a wall is alright, just really didn't want to adjust my seat any further. No desire to be miserable on longer trips.
 
If your goal is to keep the heat in, Reflectix on the cargo side would be more effective. I have also used regular kitchen aluminium foil as a radiant barrier. You can attach it with spray adhesive. There is a shiny and a duller side. Shiny side facing the area you want the heat bounced back in.
 
DannyB1954 said:
If your goal is to keep the heat in, Reflectix on the cargo side would be more effective. I have also used regular kitchen aluminium foil as a radiant barrier. You can attach it with spray adhesive. There is a shiny and a duller side. Shiny side facing the area you want the heat bounced back in.

Thanks, I might just do radiant on both sides, and just use some thicker fabric. The more I think about it the more of a pain this carpet seems like it will be to bother with.
 
East said:
I won't be going anywhere hospitable this winter.
Any thoughts?

Home Depot has heavy (quilted) 72" x 80" Moving Blankets for $17.97 each. Black on one side and Blue on the other.
I keep one to block off my cab access doorway.
Amazon sells them too. Look for a quilted one.
 
Matlock said:
Home Depot has heavy (quilted) 72" x 80" Moving Blankets for $17.97 each. Black on one side and Blue on the other.
I keep one to block off my cab access doorway.
Amazon sells them too. Look for a quilted one.


Seems like a great idea to use as fabric over the walls. For the middle I'm thinking the zip down part of an old sleeping bag would make a good enough "door".

Got all the pieces cut for the walls tonight so tomorrow will be getting the insulation down, apart from maybe cleaning up some edges. Got a piece to fit in where the fan is snug if I want to use it elsewhere.

Also throwing a thin horizontal strip between the two walls at the top,maybe.
 

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Zipper door is a great idea. You could also make an enclosure just around the bed area. The smaller the area, the easier it will be to heat. Get the size small enough and body heat will do it. A cardboard box has kept more than one sidewalk camper alive.

I go camping with 3 sleeping bags. Actually a fleece liner, a summer bag and a winter bag. The winter bag is large enough to put the summer bag into it. Snug as a bug in a rug. Get a comfortable hat that covers your ears. I use the type that have a chin strap so It doesn't come off.
 
DannyB1954 said:
Zipper door is a great idea. You could also make an enclosure just around the bed area. The smaller the area, the easier it will be to heat. Get the size small enough and body heat will do it. A cardboard box has kept more than one sidewalk camper alive.

I go camping with 3 sleeping bags. Actually a fleece liner, a summer bag and a winter bag. The winter bag is large enough to put the summer bag into it. Snug as a bug in a rug. Get a comfortable hat that covers your ears. I use the type that have a chin strap so It doesn't come off.

Thanks for that info. Actually I have a 10F bag now but where I'm going to work over the winter, it may dip as low as -20F at points in time, this is on the extreme side of things and may be a bit atypical. Typical would be more like 0F as a low.

With that said I definitely need to invest into another bag for myself, the pass-through aside. Maybe I'll find one that I can fit into my square cheapo winter sleeping back. From what I've read liners add about 10F to the bag so I don't think that would really be enough. I do have a comforter to throw over it if needed atm.

In the past I've slept with a beanie on no problems, no habits of pulling it off my head or anything, but for this job I may actually invest in a ski mask for sleep just in case. Maybe. Usually I throw something over my face when I sleep, just out of habit.

I did seriously consider the box idea for just the bed area but I think I'd feel a bit too claustrophobic.
 

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