Ethan's Membrane Traps

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Syrah

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Ethan's Membrane Traps
« on: 19 Jul 2008, 01:48 pm »
Question for the group.  Are Ethan’s wood membrane traps still generally advocated here?

I have two windows that I’m thinking of covering up – with the added benefit of reducing my AC consumption.

My plan is as follows:

1)   Screw a wooden frame around the window frame.
2)   Fill the window inset with insulation – 6 inch thick insulation.
3)   Staple down chicken wire on to the wooden frame, squishing the 6 inch insulation down to 3½ inches.
4)   Put another wood frame on top of the first wood frame to create a ¾ inch gap, caulking in between.
5)   I would then caulk and screw a ½ inch thick, 4’ * 8’ plywood panel on top.

Would this work well?

Are there any changes that could make this a better trap?

I live on an island where 703 and 705 are difficult to get.  I read that 703 has about double the density of the fluffy stuff, and 705 is double that.

I suppose I could create some room behind the insulation by going – window, gap, chicken wire, insulation, more chicken wire to squish the insulation, gap, plywood.

Ethan Winer

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Re: Ethan's Membrane Traps
« Reply #1 on: 19 Jul 2008, 03:23 pm »
Are Ethan’s wood membrane traps still generally advocated here?

Wood panel traps are great, but more for large rooms. For most domestic size rooms I prefer fiberglass-based traps.

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I have two windows that I’m thinking of covering up – with the added benefit of reducing my AC consumption.

I don't recommend that. Wood panel traps need a rigid sheet rock wall behind them.

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I live on an island where 703 and 705 are difficult to get.  I read that 703 has about double the density of the fluffy stuff, and 705 is double that.

You can get similar results using fluffy fiberglass compressed to be thinner. That is, R38 which is 12 inches thick, when compressed to be 4 inches thick, is similar to using rigid fiberglass.

--Ethan

Syrah

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Re: Ethan's Membrane Traps
« Reply #2 on: 19 Jul 2008, 03:43 pm »
Great.  Thanks for your prompt response Ethan.

Syrah

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Re: Ethan's Membrane Traps
« Reply #3 on: 19 Jul 2008, 06:38 pm »
Sorry.  One more thing.  If I build panels by squishing 12" of fluffy between chicken wire and wooden frames, what material should I face it with for the part facing the room?  I was thinking of a plastic sheet, should I be using something else? Paper, foil?  Thanks!