Insulating

[rishi]

I'm exploring an idea to insulate buildings using waste plastic films. Think plastic bags and wraps layered into batts. I'd crumple the layers to trap air and then tack them together with a bit of glue or heat, just enough to hold their shape. I'm curious if anyone knows if this has been tried before or if there's any info on it.

 

[TengaarWarrior]

Problem is, plastic films don't have the loft or spring that fiberglass or cellulose does. Once it compresses, the air pockets are gone and so is your insulation. It might sound clever, but performance will be all over the place.

 

[smallspaceBiglife]

So, plastic film insulation isn't really a great idea. It can be a fire risk, trap moisture and cause mold, get ruined by the sun, and just doesn't last very long. Recycled plastic insulation that you can buy is okay because it's treated the right way. But making your own plastic film insulation for your house? Probably not the smartest move.

 

[sad LeX]

One of the simplest methods involves stuffing plastic waste, like empty plastic bottles or plastic bags, into wall or ceiling cavities to create a layer of insulation. The principle is the same: the plastic material traps air, which is the primary source of insulation in many conventional materials.

Crumpling layers to trap air and using minimal glue or heat to tack them into a batt shape solves the need for practical and low-cost batt plus it fits between standard framing. But this is one of the biggest challenges for using untreated waste plastic, especially PE films. Plastic is flammable and can release toxic fumes when burned but you can do fire retardant treatment ro fire barrier.

 

[Dieg$]

Plastics are poor conductors and they also add some insulating effect if you crumple them to trap air. The biggest concerns are fire resistance, off gassing and long term stability. There is a possibility that it will work but it is important you do a testing for safety and durability.