How to Insulate a Greenhouse With Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is a cheap and easy insulator for a greenhouse.

Greenhouses are specially constructed outdoor buildings designed to retain heat from the sun's rays. The heat retaining quality is why greenhouses are often also called hot houses. This warm temperature is ideal for growing plants year round even when outdoor temperatures turn cool. However, in climates that get very cold during the winter months, greenhouses must be insulated in order to keep the heat inside. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to insulate a greenhouse is by using bubble wrap.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Bubble wrap
• Scissors
• Ladder
• Staples
• Stapler
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Use a tape measure to determine the surface area needed to be covered by bubble wrap, including the roof. If the greenhouse has a flat roof, you can simply multiply the length of the house by the width of the house to determine the roof size. If the roof is triangular, use a ladder to measure its dimensions.

2. Start at one side of the greenhouse and attach the bubble wrap to the frame of the greenhouse. If the greenhouse is constructed of wood, a staple gun and staples work well. If the greenhouse is constructed of plastic or metal, use duct tape to secure the bubble wrap.

3. Wrap the bubble wrap around the sides of the greenhouse until the entire house is wrapped.

4. Climb up on the ladder to access the roof of the greenhouse.

5. Attach the bubble wrap to the roof edge on one side of the greenhouse. Roll the bubble wrap across to the other side and secure with staples or duct tape. Overlap each section of bubble wrap by 2 inches. Continue adding bubble wrap until the entire roof is insulated.

6. Use scissors or a razor blade to cut out the bubble wrap around the door and windows of the greenhouse. Secure the new edges of the bubble wrap with staples or duct tape.

Tips & Warnings

• If using duct tape, make sure it is labeled for outdoor use. It will hold up better under wet conditions.

• The best bubble wrap to use for insulation is made of polythene and has large air pockets.

References

• Gardener'sWorld.com: Insulate a Greenhouse With Bubble Wrap
• Build It Solar: Bubble Wrap Window Insulation