How do I cover the insulation?

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mjbphotos

mjbphotos

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Thought a more-general title would rope in more looks!

I want to cover two 4" thick insulation chunks with cloth (I've used burlap for other traps), but with no wooden frame to staple the cloth to. (Want lighter panels, and be able to 'curve' them a little if needed to fit in a couple of spots).

How do I fasten the cloth to itself (on back side of panel)? Sewing is not practical (I suck at sewing, no machine).
 
Spray adhesive works ok, but hot glue gun would hold better. Not so pretty but if it hidden...
 
What about really intense sandwich bag clips? And by that I mean there are blanket clips that work like locking clothes pins.

Or you could just hide the insulation all together and hang up some acoustic blankets from the ceiling and cover the whole shabang.
 
johnwestmartin said:
What about really intense sandwich bag clips? And by that I mean there are blanket clips that work like locking clothes pins.

Or you could just hide the insulation all together and hang up some acoustic blankets from the ceiling and cover the whole shabang.
Click to expand...

Actually, to add to this, there are Tarp clips that would work really well.
 
Lightweight polyester fabric and spray adhesive. I've done all my panels that way.
 
PDP said:
No wood ? Then how do you hang them, so they stay in shape ?
Click to expand...

I used carpet tack strips. They are cheap and work pretty well for panels that aren't prone to movement. Meaning, I put one on a door and it kept falling off after so many opening and closings. Eventually I decided I didn't really need a panel on that door. But on the walls, they are still up there.

I have a thread describing what I did, but looking at it now, it seems the pics are gone. I'll try to fix that some time this week. Here is a link to the THREAD.

Here's some quick pics of what I did....

IMG_2193web.webp
IMG_2192web.webp
IMG_2190web.webp
 
I'm not too worried about hanging the unframed panels - a couple of long finish nails hammered into the walls can pierce throu the cloth cover and into the insulaiton to hold it up.
I'd like to keep these burlap, like the other traps I did already, but I'm sure spray adhesive won't work (surface is not smooth) and not sure hot glue will either. Afraid that tarp clps will pull unevenly unless I use a ton of them.
 
Chili said:
I used carpet tack strips. They are cheap and work pretty well for panels that aren't prone to movement. Meaning, I put one on a door and it kept falling off after so many opening and closings. Eventually I decided I didn't really need a panel on that door. But on the walls, they are still up there.

I have a thread describing what I did, but looking at it now, it seems the pics are gone. I'll try to fix that some time this week. Here is a link to the THREAD.

Here's some quick pics of what I did....
Click to expand...
Thanks Chill.
 
one possible solution, I haven;t tried it, is they make fabric staples, u can buy the stapler at fabric stores. Just not sure it will hold.

The other solution I was thinking of using in the future, is the cheap rivet tools they sell. I have one and it can certainly hold. Not a perfect seal as they are spot rivets not continuous obviously, but might get you the secure closure you need.
 
Hey Mike
Over here in oldland there's a place called B&Q a DIY store & they sell 2mm ply which is bendy,very light & you could fix the material to it & even use it to hang the traps!

Hope it helps :thumbs up:
 
Never seen 2mm (a little more than 1/16") wood here - 6mm (1/4") is the thinnest standard thickness.
As I haven't got the fabric yet, will need to go to a fabric store (rather than walmart) and see what they've got, and maybe they can recommend something. Measuring the two places where I want to use these in upper corners, one needs to bend just a little across the 2' dimension, the other needs to bend a bit more in the long 4' dimension. Two more traps I will build at same time will hang over the windows, so frameless would be better, as the reduced weight could have them hanging off the curtain rods.
 
Hey Mike,

At Home depot they have very thin sheets pre cut to 2x2 or 4x2 size maybe 1/8 inch thick. It is located by the lumber on a shelf with peg board" in similar sizes. A suggestion if u wanted to go the hardwood backing route and try to steam bend it to your desired curve. Not expensive either for the cheapest type.

Secondly fabric, not sure by you but I think three locations in MA, if u haven't try "sewfisticated" I go to one in sommerville, not much service, but they have discounted suede-like fabrics, and corduroys and velour type stuff for 2-3$ a YD. Despite being the only man in there, I buy all my fabric there, and I don;t mind being with the ladies one bit.

Also, if u don't already use KAMCO in woburn for commercial acoustic building supplies. They get ROXUL OWENS SONNEX MASS LOADED Vinyl etc.... Good prices too. Service Not helpful to find products, but if you know what u want they will check and they had almost everything I ever needed.
 
Thanks Bop, not looking to do the 'bent wood' thing anyway,trying to keep these light and flexible. I heard that suede-type material is not good for traps (looks good, though) - material needs to be able to porous.
 
What's wrong with the clearance bin at Walmart? Lightweight polyester for $1.50 /lyd. Cheap stuff. I mean, I get you may not want to rub elbows with Massachusetts' finer socialites... :laughings:

I personally don't like burlap. Not something I want adorning my walls.
 
I like the look of my burlap traps (and my wife hasn't complained yet!), although its a bit stretchy, so tough to get taut and that likely would be an issue with a frameless design.
I go to the New Hampshire Walmart - makes the people at the Massachusetts Walmarts look like rocket scientists ... well, not quite.

You know what they say up this way: the toothbrush must have been invented in New Hampshire - anywhere else they would have called it a teethbrush. :D
 
You need to get camping grommets and small bungee cords at the supply store. lay down the fabric, place the insulation on top, then wrap the edges around and figure out where the grommets should go so the bungees will hold it with a little stretching. That should do it until you get frames or something better. Good Luck,
Rod Norman
Engineer

mjbphotos said:
Thought a more-general title would rope in more looks!

I want to cover two 4" thick insulation chunks with cloth (I've used burlap for other traps), but with no wooden frame to staple the cloth to. (Want lighter panels, and be able to 'curve' them a little if needed to fit in a couple of spots).

How do I fasten the cloth to itself (on back side of panel)? Sewing is not practical (I suck at sewing, no machine).
Click to expand...
 
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