Preparing for Winter

[Deleted User]

what about getting some cheap curtains from a charity or community shop and using them as linings. or a blanket or cheap fleeces. Plastic will help to keep out draughts but won`t help with keeping the warm in if you use it as a liner.

squiggles

Skint_Catt wrote: »

:hello:

As it looks like we'll be here (rented) for another winter I'd like to line my bedroom curtains (help keep the light out too). Do I need special lining to keep the heat in ot can I use anything (must be neat as the curtains came with the house - they're not mine!)

Also we have a brass keyhole in our front doors handle which a hell of a draft blow through - how can I cover this up (we need to lock it at night but the whole handles brass so can't put one of those circular discs over it) I don't think anything hanging from the handle would be close enough to stop the cold.

Thanks C x

big blob of bluetack would work while your actually in the house at night but no use during the day if your at work.

Skint_Catt

kbarty wrote: »

we seem to be in a similar situation. I bought some new curtains (from charity shop) and will line them so we can take them with us when we move. Thermal linings seem to be very expensive so I've been looking at alternatives. Not decided yet, but I saw a site today that suggested using a shower curtain as a lining. I think the plastic is a better insulator. Might try this, but not sure yet

It's hard with a rented house though isn't it?

Yes it is. I don't even know what insulation is in the walls/roof and I'm not sure our Landlady would do anything about it anyway if it was substandard.

Skint_Catt

squiggles wrote: »

big blob of bluetack would work while your actually in the house at night but no use during the day if your at work.

Actually it might. I doubt locking it from the outside would push the blu-tak on the inside off, so I could unlock the door, put the blu-tack back and lock it going to work.

Thanks, thats one option I will try!

trying-very-trying

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Actually it might. I doubt locking it from the outside would push the blu-tak on the inside off, so I could unlock the door, put the blu-tack back and lock it going to work.

Thanks, thats one option I will try!

If the blue tack doesn't work, it could be worth looking into a door curtain, held up with one of those portiere rods, so that it pulls shut when you close the door behind you. I'm looking to get one myself, 'cause the draught that comes in our front door over winter is almost unbelievable!

trying-very-trying

trying-very-trying wrote: »

If the blue tack doesn't work, it could be worth looking into a door curtain, held up with one of those portiere rods, so that it pulls shut when you close the door behind you. I'm looking to get one myself, 'cause the draught that comes in our front door over winter is almost unbelievable!

Edit; forgot to say, that yes we do have the foam stuff round the door, but it's the keyhole and the already insulated letter box that lets the draught in. Mind we're right next to a huge field, so we do get a good gust of wind for drying the washing, we can't have everything can we

Skint_Catt

Can't really add a curtain - rented house and we'd have to take it down and repair holes etc before we left (and we've made enough already!)

zarazara

I ut that brown parcel tape over the keyhole.
WINDOWS in winter I put bubble wrap up at the windows. the curtains are drawn at dusk anyway so you dont see it. in unused rooms i leave the curtains closed 24/7 . if a room has 2 windows you could just open one set of curtains [ and bubble wrap] to let light in.

trying-very-trying

Skint Catt, you could try asking the ll if you could put up a portiere. He might even agree to do it for you.

Rummer

Hello

Thank you for all your inspirational and practical ideas!:T Reading this thread last night and the fact that the temperature here has dropped so suddenly has made me realise it is time to get ready for winter.

I have dug out lots of fleeces and checked the PJ and hat/scarf/glove situation for all of us. Also been creating an emergency box with torches/candles etc in. Going to create some draught excluders out of some old cot sheets I found too and keep my eyes open for heavy curtains in the charity shops. Also replaced my very old boiler and got a new electric fire installed. Phew I have done quite a lot already :rotfl::rotfl: