How To: Insulate with Bubble Wrap

We've blogged about a bubble wrap "stained glass window" before, but bubble wrap also works as a great insulator when it's cold. See how to use leftover packaging to decrease your heating bill, after the jump...

According to Build it Solar, bubble wrap is often used to insulate greenhouses during the winter — so why not use it at home, too! As an alternative to insulating shades, bubble wrap provides a pocket of air to prevent cold and heat from moving in and out of your home.

While it obviously doesn't provide the regular view you're used to, it does skew the view inside, thus preserving your privacy.

Recommendations from Build it Solar include using larger bubbles and using a film of water (applied via spray bottle) to get the bubble wrap to stick. Evidently, it will stay in place after application - no tape or anything.

Alternatives to bubble wrap insulation for your windows that might look better can be found via ThisOldHouse.

Build It Solar Via LifeHacker.

Comments (9)

such a good idea if you don't mind looking out of bubble wrap. probably a fun effect when holiday lights are up and reflecting through all the bubbles...

posted by morning altruist. on October 28th 2009 at 9:53pm
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you could even color the bubbles with perm markers for kids rooms.

posted by Icanmakeit on October 28th 2009 at 9:56pm
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I may do this on a window that has a sheer curtain over it all the time..no loss to the view anyway!

posted by Sudlow Jewelry on October 29th 2009 at 10:27am
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With the application of a little mist, is there any concern for mildew? I think the bubble wrap has a modern, fun feel, actually. Interesting.

posted by avianmission on November 1st 2009 at 1:09pm
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Yeah, I agree - this looks a lot better than wrapping the windows with regular plastic!

posted by betsbillabong on November 3rd 2009 at 3:55pm
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This is perfect for my basement windows.

posted by LMG on November 4th 2009 at 12:02pm
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Probably wouldn't have to worry as much about mildew if you used a mildly soapy mix or something similar.

I love the idea of color the bubbles in.

posted by Kaete on November 4th 2009 at 12:46pm
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I did this to my two windows in my loft bedroom. Wow this stuff is amazing. It really does work. I used much smaller bubbles though but still works great, and am still surprised that it stuck to the window with just water. Only problem I found was cutting it to the right size. I did that for my first window, but my second I just did it a bit bigger then the actually window. Both ways still work. Haven't had to turn my heat on all day!

Plus it looks really cool and gives you lots of privacy.

posted by oneillkid on November 8th 2009 at 7:08pm
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Thanks for the tip, read it some days ago and today finally got around finishing half of my windows. Water mist was used.

posted by luftskibet on November 23rd 2009 at 8:11pm
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