Tita has found a clever and affordable solution to add extra insulation to her hallway with acrylic secondary glazing. She initially tackled the draught around the door using draught strips. Then she decided to improve the insulation of the windows above the front door with secondary glazing made from acrylic. The old windows were single-glazing, which is not very effective for insulation. Acrylic is clear and easy to use, making it almost invisible.
The project
Tita and her family were looking for a simple way to better insulate their hallway. They used acrylic sheets as temporary secondary glazing. The acrylic was attached using self-adhesive metal tape and magnetic strips. The result is a nearly invisible solution that significantly enhances the insulation in their hallway. “We wanted the option to remove the secondary glazing, for example; to clean them,” Tita explains. “The acrylic is so beautifully clear that you hardly notice the panes are there.”
Step-by-step guide
steps
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Measure
Measure the window frames accurately. Order acrylic sheets with the right dimensions.
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Clean
Clean and degrease the window frames with a degreaser, like acetone. Let it dry thoroughly.
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Attach
Attach the self-adhesive metal tape to the edges of the frames around the windows.
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Cut
Cut the magnetic strip to size and stick it onto the edges of the acrylic sheets.
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Place
Carefully place the acrylic sheets against the metal tape so they click into place.
Materials and tools used
Additional materials
Tita’s tips for others
“Take your time. The more accurately you measure, adhere the metal tape to the frame, and attach the magnetic strip to the acrylic sheet edges, the better the final result will be. It’s a bit tricky, but there’s actually a protective film layer on each side of the acrylic!”
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