Draught proofing is a straightforward method to insulate your home and retain heat in the property, ultimately helping to keep costs down and save you money. Draught excluders simply block unwanted gaps throughout your property to prevent cold air from coming in and ensures warm air cannot escape.
There are common places within every household where draughts can happen, such as around windows and doors. We have rounded-up the typical areas that draughts can occur, along with our most helpful suggestions of how they can be fixed.
Draught excluders for windows
Draught proofing windows and doors could save you between £10 to £50 per year simply by sealing small gaps found around windows and doors.
Every window that can be opened will have a gap around the edge of the window and the frame, which should seal tight when the window is closed. If the seal around the window has deteriorated, cold air can enter the property through the gap and warm air can escape. Old or badly fitted windows that do not open can also have small spaces that let cold air in.
There are a number of ways to prevent window draughts. If you notice a chill around your windows, a temporary fix can be to mount thick curtains to add an extra level of insulation by trapping the cold air and blocking it from entering the room. Whilst this may work in the short-term, over time this will not make the same energy savings as other methods.
Another method to prevent heat from escaping is to install draught excluders for windows. Self-adhesive foam strips are a popular DIY choice due to their low price point, however, these strips do not tend to last very long. Metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached are a better alternative, providing the durability needed for heavy use.
Often is it best to consult with professional draught proofing services such as ours, particularly when looking into sash window draught proofing or for older properties with period windows. Our expert draught proofing technicians have the knowledge and expertise to install discreet, long-lasting window draught proofing solutions that complement the aesthetic of your property.
Draught proofing doors
A lot of heat can escape through the external doors of your property. Draught proofing your front door can immensely make a difference to the cosiness of your home from the moment you step inside. One simple fix is to buy a keyhole cover that drops a metal disc over the keyhole – this is particularly useful for old fashioned doors and locks where the key whole tends to be bigger.
External door draught excluders work in a similar fashion to window draught stoppers. Use a metal strip with a brush attached across the gap at the bottom of the door to block cold air, as well as a letterbox brush in addition to a covering flap. Sealants may need to be used for old or poorly fitted doors that have gaps around the brickwork and doorframe to prevent cold air from entering your home.
Draught proofing doors can be complicated, particularly if you need to draught proof garage doors or internal doors. In these situations, our friendly draught proofing technicians can find a bespoke solution tailored to the size and style of your doors, taking into account varying factors about your home and how you live in the space.
Chimney draught stoppers
When we picture a roaring fire keeping the home toasty and warm in our minds, we often do not synonymise an open fire or wood burner with heat loss. In reality, our fireplaces offer an opportunity for air to escape, meaning that cold air is more likely to be drawn in from windows and doors. This is known as the stack effect.
One way to prevent this is to insert a chimney draught stopper. This is a device that is fitted inside the chimney to stop warm air from going up the chimney and prevent cold draughts from coming in. Fireplace draught excluders work in a similar manner by fitting the device around the fireplace instead.
Another option is to have a chimney cap installed. Typically made of terracotta, these caps are designed to minimise heat loss and prevent moisture. They can also prevent wildlife and debris from entering your chimney, therefore minimising potential hazards.
These draught proofing solutions for your chimney and open fireplace should always be fitted by a professional. Incorrect installation can affect the integrity of your chimney breast and cause serious damage to your property, in addition to the health and safety concerns that come from working in such tight spaces.
Draught proofing for floorboards
It is a little-known fact that heat can also be lost through floorboards. Whilst most modern homes have insulated carpets covering the floors that retain heat, older properties with exposed timber flooring may face some issues with heat loss. Draught proofing floorboards like these mean you do not have to cover them up and lose the stylish aesthetic they bring to the room.
Draughts can occur either in between the floorboards themselves or around the skirting boards. For floorboard draughts, floor draught excluders can help prevent cold air from rising through the floor. These are tube-like rolls that can be pushed into the spaces between the floorboards and secured in place.
Alternatively, V-shaped draught excluders can also be used, such as the popular Stopgap floorboard draught excluder. These are used in a similar way, as a V-shaped plastic strip is pushed into the gaps to block the space.
Whilst these simple solutions are easy to DIY, the help of a professional is often a smarter choice. Our trained professionals understand how to maintain proper ventilation when installing draught excluders, ensuring that under-floor grilles and airbricks are not compromised so that wooden beams and floors remain dry.
Final thoughts
Draught proofing is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy and money, in any type of building. By preventing warm air from escaping and stopping cold draughts from coming in, you will use less energy trying to keep your home warm and therefore save money on heating bills.
There are a variety of temporary fixes you can put in place to stop the chill; however, the support of a qualified draught proofing technician can be invaluable to ensure you have lasting solutions that can help to improve the overall value of your property in the long run.
Get in touch to speak to our draught-proofing team today – they are more than happy to discuss draught proofing options and any other concerns you may have about your property.