I’d like to close off a room during the winter months to keep my heating cost down. The house has radiant floor heat so I’ll keep this room at 40 degrees. The challenge is that I need to get through room to get to other parts of the house. I was thinking of pedestrian strip door curtain like these use in warehouses, except they are too expensive.
Instead, I am considering making my own door using clear poly and Velcro. I would hang it from some type of bar so that it could be slide open. Maybe I can start with a clear shower curtain. I would weight it at the bottom with something like a light chain (for flexibility). The Velcro would be used to attach it to either side of the door jamb.
Did I just design my solution?
Replies
I think you would do as well with some heavy drapery material on a spring loaded rod. It would surely make the wife happier than some hefty bag solution
Look at some of the temporary dust curtains that are sold for construction areas. Probably your local big box carries something.
I have a sound/light deadening curtain from BedBath and Beyond [ I think that takes a lot of guts to admit that on this forum ] for my bedroom window. It is very good a keeping heat out of the room from southeast sun exposure in Florida. Put it on a swing away curtain rod and I think you would be happy with the results. It won't be as good as a well sealed door but then it's a lot easier and it would be very convenient. Look for them at their online site and have DW look with you. Tell her it's your idea and get some good husband points.
Good ideas, especially the 'husband points'! One can never get too many of them.
One side of this doorway is actually a wall, so I need a way to keep the curtain tight against that wall. Velcro?
I can be done in a short period of time and short money, too.
Thanks
Pls fill in your profile.
If you are in PNW, DW got 30-40 yard of heavy fabric given to her the other day to make quilts - she wont work with that heavy stuff anymore, would probably make you a nice 'door'
BTW, had a temporary door once for 8 years <G>
What do you mean by fill in my profile?
Is PNW the Pacific Northwest?
Click on "richardi", click on "Change profile", and then fill it in.
A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
Bingo!
Thanks...
yes, if you are anywhere near renton, drop by and you can have some boxes of drapery material before Goodwill comes Thursday (reply tonite <G>, leaving for LA tomorrow)
Thanks for the offer, but I live on the other coast (Boston).
A few years ago I needed to close off part of the house for sanding sheetrock.
My local lumberyard had some self adhesive zippers that worked great.
Staple, tape or whatever the clear poly to the surrounding walls, decide where you want your door and how big. Peel the backing off the zipper and stick it to the poly. Unzip the zipper and cut the plastic with a razor blade.
Zip it open to pass through, zip it up to seal it off.
They worked fantastic for us. I think we used two of the zippers.
Karl
I've seen that type of setup advertised in the magazine. Do remember what it cost (ballpark)?
I think I can do a lined curtain with a rod and some Velcro for about $30.
I think the zippers were 8 or 9 dollars each. I think they were 6 to 8 feet long.I am not arguing for them on the basis of cost but mostly because they were so effective and easy to use. Velcro would probably work but closing it up air tight seems like it might take a bit of fussing around.I actually saved them by cutting them free of the plastic prior to discarding and have reused them since by taping the remaining plastic onto other temporary plastic curtain/walls.karl
Home Depot or Lowes?
What kind/thickness of poly did you use?
I still need to fasten one side to a painted wall...
I bought it at San Lorenzo Lumber which was bought by Lumbermans and then Probuild.You might find it searching on Amazon if a local retailer doesn't have it.Karl
http://www.unoclean.com/ZipWall-AZ2-Dust-Wall-Barrier-Standard-Zipper-2-Pack.aspx
Try out your idea now before it gets too cold and use it a bunch to see if is too much of a pain, etc. If it does not work so well, you'll still have time to make a change.
And fill the cold room with beer....
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
No, I didn't vote for him; but he IS my president. I pray for the his safety, and the safety of his family every day. And I pray that he makes wise decisions.
Why not install an actual door? Functionally and aesthetically superior. Close it in the winter when necessary, and leave it open in the summer.
That would have been the easy and obvious solution. However, one side of this 'doorway' is actually a hallway wall, so a door would not work.
But, thanks anyway!