Cold coming in sliding door part 2!?

Question

Last time my question was:
"Cold air coming in sliding doors-ideas?
I have a slider in my daughter's bedroom, can't seal it off with plastic for the winter b'c hub needs to get out there to shovel the snow off the balcony. I was going to buy fleece to cover the window, just drape it up over the top slider hardware and let it hang down to the floor, that way hub can open it when needed. Do you think the fleece will be warm enough and might it be too heavy? Anyone know of any warm but lightweight materials I could use?"

So I bought the fleece and made a cute curtain in her 2 fav colors using 15 inch squares sewn together. Now I want to back it with a plastic liner to further cut the draft. (The window is fine, there are no cracks or gaps) Any suggestions on how to attach the plastic to the fleece that won't add too much weight to the whole thing and won't sink thru the fabric and look gross like glue probably would? I can't put the plastic thru my sewing machine. Thanks!

Answer 1

Since you are handy there are several options available to you. You could simply back your curtain with thermal drapery lining or blackout drapery lining. Thermal would be probably be better, but it is thicker than just black out lining. Thermal is better because it keeps the heat inside the house.

Your next option is a Warm Window material. Its a quilted 4-ply material that has 2 layers of batting and a layer of Mylar between the batting. This might not be a good idea to sew the fleece to, but spray adhesive is always an option.

Another option instead of sewing is to change your drapery hardware to a dual system allowing you to hang two separate sets of drapes. This would allow you to hang a lining separately from the curtain itself.

Lastly, and probably not the best option, is to buy reflective window material. This is a very thin Mylar film that you attach the glass. It is either self sticking or can be attached with water. That would cost about $20-$30 a window, in your case $40 to $60. The film reflects the heat back into your home, and it also works in the summer to reflect the solar heat back outside, helping to reduce cooling costs.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The only way to correct this problem is to spend money.
1. Replace the sliding doors with thermo gas filled efficient glass.
2. Buy a heavy drape set that has a lined (rubber like) side that faces the window.
3. Put a drape lining on the curtains you made.
4. No ideas how to attach the liner. I would buy the energy saving drapes.

Answer 3

This really dosn't answer this part of your question but I missed the first part.

Look at the outside of the door, where the edge for the door meets the siding (or what ever you have on the outside of your house) there should be a bead of caulk if it is not there or it is cracked and discolored then simply buy a tube of caulk (not silicone) and reapply it to the outside edge of the door on all sides and that should help with some of the draft.
If your door is not a thermal door then cold air will still come in.

Answer 4

We had problems with our refrigerator over the summer and did need to call a service man. On ours the freezer part stopped keeping things frozen, the refrigerator part was fine. I think it was leaking gas and they could not fix it so they sent sent us new one. Glad it was under warranty! Since your freezer is still cold I would guess the cold is just not getting from the freezer into the refrigerator part. If you are handy you could try seeing if something is blocking it. Maybe a bag or something has fallen in to the opening and is stopping the air. If not its time call the repairman :(

Answer 5

Find someone with a sewing machine that can run denim... youve probably got a quilting club not too far from you, one of them would be bound to have such a machine. Another choice is a serger. You might find these machines at your local school, or anyplace that embroiders clothing.

Sorry, but I didnt see your first question to answer it... I would have suggested that you use a 2 inch stryofoam panel, and covered it with your fabric. A 'pillowcase' type of slip cover would work, for example. Make 2 of these panels with a snug fit, and its still easy to get outside. (Ive made these for windows and doors myself, they work great)

Have Fun

Answer 6

You could hang a plastic shower curtain liner (on a separate rod) behind the curtain until you come up with something you like better.