Whats the best way to cover the sides of a window-mounted AC unit?

If the AC unit "accordian wings" do not work properly, any ideas how to cover the side areas? Currently I an using cardboard.

Answers:
I cut out wood "shingles" to cover my sides, when I had a window A/C.

(Of course, my having wood working tools, were a big help also).

Then, I got some styrofoam and glued to the "wings" to keep the heat from wanting to transfer back into the room, as the sun hit the wood.

You can even paint the styrofoam colors, so that it wont show that much.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Other answers:
Get you some 1/4 inch plywood and cut it to fit. You could even paint it if you think it'll make it look a little nicer.
Get you some 1/4 inch plywood and cut it to fit. You could even paint it if you think it'll make it look a little nicer.
Hi,
hope this helps:

1. I cut reinforcement platforming to support its weight on the bottom around the moulding of the frame. You can use pieces of 2X2 or 2X4, 1X2, etc, whatever you can cut to fit around, and on both the inside edge and outside edge of your window moulding.

2. Then using a jigsaw, I measured the areas around the unit and window to cut out piece of 3/4 inch thick plywood, (1/2 inch is ok too..) to fit around the ac unit in the window frame to support the sides.

3. Add a supporting frame around the edge of the plywood, and screw it into the window frame using metal or sheetrock screws. This anchors the plywood, ac unit and seals the whole window.

4.Then all I need to do is use caulking and weatherstripping to
seal the gaps, and voila! It's finished.

*You can also use plexiglass instead of the plywood, or even cut out a small section in the plywood and add in a piece of plexiglass to still be able to see outside. Just seal that in with caulking and a supportive framing. (Maybe also use some liquid nails around the plexiglass and its framing to hold it better too).

**This can all be painted to match the siding of the house as well, and you can also add the same siding to the plywood to really finish it off. It can be done in a way that it can be left permanent or seasonal, since the screws can simply come out for removal.

Always worked wonderfully for me, so well in fact, I left it permanently the last time I did it.
-R-
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