How to Make Your Own Thermal Drapes
Thermal drapes can save you a fortune in heating costs, and they typically have three layers: back and front sides of fabric and a center layer made of aluminized bubble wrap. Having layered curtains helps keep your house warm, because the thin layers of air trapped between them act as thermal "blankets." Additionally, the aluminized bubble wrap functions as a moisture barrier, a reflective surface and as insulation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape Facing fabric matching your room decor Backing fabric in a neutral pattern Aluminized bubble wrap Straight pins or masking tape Sewing machine Scissors Velcro-type fastening tape
Instructions
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Measure your window, including at least half the width of the window frame on both sides. Add 1 to 1 1/2 inch for seam allowances, as you need this to capture the edges of all three layers.
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Purchase your fabric. For the fabric facing the inside of the room, choose colors and patterns to harmonize with the room's decor. For the backing fabric that's next to the window, choose a neutral color that looks good from the outside.
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Purchase your aluminized bubble wrap. To save expense on this step, you can also use plain bubble wrap for this layer. The insulation value will still be good, although not as high as with the aluminum foil-backed type.
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Cut out your three layers.
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Pin or loosely tape the three layers together, inside out. Make certain that all the layers will be facing the correct way when you turn them right-side out.
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Sew the layers together on three sides. To keep things moving nicely, use a large needle size plus a long stitch length setting to keep the material from clogging up. If you have difficulty due to the aluminized bubble wrap, hand stitch the layers together.
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Turn the layers right-side out. Be careful to square the corners.
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Slip-stitch the remaining edge closed.
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Attach Velcro to the edges of the backing fabric and the edges of the window frame. Depending on the weight of your drapes, it may not be necessary for you to attach an unbroken line the Velcro all around each edge. For instance, you can use Velcro on just the corners and center of each edge. Test your results by checking to see if stray cold air currents are slipping through in a crack between the drapes and the window frame. If so, then add more Velcro fasteners.
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Attach the drapes to the window frame at night or during cold days. When you are not using the drapes on the windows, you can hang them on your walls to add beauty and extra insulation, or you can be easily fold and put them away.
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Tips & Warnings
Alternate Method 1: You can make another quick and easy thermal drape by using child-sized sleeping bags. They are about the right size for many windows, and their light weight makes them easy to put up. Just Velcro the edges of the sleeping bag and the window frame, and you have a colorful, removable thermal curtain. Alternate Method 2: Use bubble wrap alone. It allows a great deal of light to come through, while still adding insulation to your windows. You can leave it on all winter.
Check for condensation periodically on the back side of your thermal drapes. Moisture is not good for window frames or walls, so if this happens, open up the curtains to allow the area to dry out.
