So I just read this local news story about a family whose window got shattered during a storm last night. They ended up duct-taping cardboard and garbage bags over it to keep the rain out till morning. Got me thinking—I've done similar stuff before, like using plastic wrap or plywood scraps. Um, anyone got their own go-to tricks when you're stuck with a broken window and can't fix it right away? Curious how creative people get with this kinda thing...
Haha, cardboard and garbage bags—classic! A few quick tips from someone who's seen it all:
- Bubble wrap: surprisingly good insulation and oddly satisfying to pop later.
- Shower curtain liner: waterproof and usually big enough for most windows.
- Old blankets or towels sandwiched between plastic sheets: ugly as heck but keeps drafts out.
- Pool noodles sliced lengthwise can wedge nicely into window frames to hold stuff in place.
Not pretty, but hey, whatever gets you through the night dry, right?
Ever tried painter's drop cloth? The heavier plastic kind—not those flimsy disposable sheets. Had a window break last winter (thanks, neighborhood baseball kids...) and stapled one of those up temporarily. Held surprisingly well against wind and rain, plus clear enough to let some light in. Maybe not the warmest insulation-wise, but if you're stuck waiting on glass replacement, it's decent. Have you tested any of these hacks in really cold weather yet? Curious how they'd hold up when temps drop below freezing.
"Have you tested any of these hacks in really cold weather yet? Curious how they'd hold up when temps drop below freezing."
I had a similar situation a couple winters ago—storm knocked a branch right through our kitchen window. I tried the heavy-duty painter's plastic at first, and you're right, it does hold up surprisingly well against wind and rain. But once the temps dropped below freezing, I noticed it got brittle pretty fast. A strong gust of wind cracked it overnight, and I woke up to a chilly kitchen.
Ended up switching to clear vinyl sheeting from the hardware store (the thicker stuff they sell by the roll). It stayed flexible even in sub-zero temps and was way better insulation-wise. Plus, it let in enough daylight to keep things feeling normal-ish until we got the glass replaced.
Painter's plastic is decent for short-term fixes, but if you're dealing with serious cold, I'd recommend something thicker and more flexible like vinyl. Just my two cents...
Title: Temporary Fixes vs Energy Efficiency?
Good point about the vinyl sheeting holding up better in cold weather. I've used heavy plastic before too, but noticed drafts creeping in pretty quickly, even when taped tight. Did you find the thicker vinyl noticeably improved insulation enough to make a difference on heating bills, or was it mainly just keeping out wind and moisture? Curious if it's worth grabbing some to keep handy for emergencies.
"Did you find the thicker vinyl noticeably improved insulation enough to make a difference on heating bills, or was it mainly just keeping out wind and moisture?"
Yeah, I switched from regular plastic to thicker vinyl last winter after a branch cracked our window during a storm. It definitely cut down on drafts way better than the thin stuff—no more feeling that chilly breeze sneaking in around the edges. Can't say my heating bill dropped dramatically, but the room felt warmer overall, so I'd say it's worth having some around just in case. Plus, it's tougher, so less likely to tear if things get windy again.
I've used thicker vinyl before too, and while it helps with drafts, the insulation gains were pretty minimal. Maybe pairing it with some foam weatherstripping around the frame would boost efficiency a bit more?