Isolating extra room to conserve heat

[Hoosierkav]

With the upcoming storm and cold, I am making plans in the event we lose heat/electricity, and we are unable to leave the house. I am thinking of using the first floor since it has plenty of space, and has the amenities (kitchen, bathroom, light) we would need to be comfortable; I want to block off the front room to decrease the living space which needs to be heated (propane heater)--what is the best way? Would the Reflectix bubble insulation work if I staple it to the wall/make a frame? Use fiberglass/foam board insulation? I want to keep it simple and not spend a fortune, but I don't want to just waste my money and time.

Thoughts?

 

[Ademus]

We lived in the country, growing up my dad would just use a thick old comforter and used a staple gun... Always seemed to work, I'm sure there are more ways efficient...but that may be cheaper

 

[bluewraith]

I second the heavy blanket plan. Worked rather well for us growing up. It wasn't too hard to have a 20 degree temp difference on either side of the blanket, but this was also blocking a stairwell.

 

[public servant]

We have used heavy moving pads. Pretty cheap at Harbor Freight.

 

[9mmfan]

I second the heavy blanket plan. Worked rather well for us growing up. It wasn't too hard to have a 20 degree temp difference on either side of the blanket, but this was also blocking a stairwell.

My dad this this also. We lived in a old large two story house, but besides bedrooms, LIVED in just 4 rooms. Kithen, family room, bathroom and large dining room. A wood stove was in the family room and the furnace was turned way down. This was our usual winter.

 

[Ademus]

My mother always got upset when he ran out of staples and used heavy nails... When we took the down the had .25" holes around the edges

 

[ultra...good]

You guys have probably already seen this but if not here it is.


[video=youtube;nzKbFzUEWkA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzKbFzUEWkA[/video]

 

[Dead Duck]

Amish quilts tacked up between rooms in one house. One time I left a cup of water in the closed off room. Froze solid even though it was only 4 feet away on the other side of the quilt.
Even quilted off the hall to the bathroom once when it got real cold. Had the coat rack full of coats to put on just to walk 10 feet to hit the head.

This was back when we used to have actual "weather" here in Indiana. We'll see what next week brings.

 

[public servant]

You guys have probably already seen this but if not here it is.


[video=youtube;nzKbFzUEWkA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzKbFzUEWkA[/video]

Slight variation of this idea. Maybe a little safer.

Clay Pot Heater Running 5 Days Now - YouTube

 

[JustJohnKB]

Not heating, but cooking. "The Rocket Stove"

How to Build a Rocket Stove to Impress the Boys - Prepared Housewives