Ideas for temporary wall (Madison, Middleton: apartment, loft, mattress)

[icebluesun]

Hi all,

While I'm still trying to secure an apartment in Madison/Middleton, it seems to me that I might get a loft. Might as well enjoy myself I guess. The problem I have is keeping heat in the loft area while not destroying the view or the aesthetics or view of the loft. I like my room fairly warm when I sleep. Cold is not really my thing but I just need the extra heat around the time I sleep.

Does anyone have ideas on how and what I should do? Temporary walls? Curtains?

Thanks.

[7G9C4J2]

Well, that's probably one of the more unusual questions I've seen here. I'll make a couple of general comments, but you might want to also pose your question in the "House" forum here: //www.city-data.com/forum/house/. Lots of knowledgeable folks over there who might be able to help you.

As to my own observations, keep in mind that heat rises. In a room with a 16-foot ceiling, it would not be at all unusual for the ambient temperature up by the ceiling to be 10 degrees warmer than the air down by the floor. If your sleeping room is in the upper part of the loft, chances are that you're going to be warmer up there than you are on the main level anyway.

Another alternative you might want to consider is to get a mattress pad that works like an electric blanket, just heating from underneath you rather than on top of you. When we moved our southern-born kids here in the late 90s, they both relied on electric mattress pads to get through their first couple of winters here. In the interests of full disclosure, I will also note that some people feel that exposure to electrical currents that way is bad for your health. If you prefer not to use electricity in that way, you can find wonderfully thick down comforters that would keep you warm in a tent in January.

If you really find that it is too chilly in the upper part of the loft to be comfortable for you, first get permission from your landlord (VERY important!) and then install a good-quality insulating floor-to-ceiling curtain around your bedroom area.

[icebluesun]

Thanks MBW for confirming my ideas. I thought of the electric blanket/mattress after I posted but I definitely prefer the curtain idea.

Thanks again.