Easy Draught-Proofing Tips for Your Home, by Uswitch on YouTube. 1 min 23 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 23 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Close the front door and feel around the edges with your hand on a cold or windy day. Note where air comes through: the sides, the bottom, the letterbox or the keyhole.
Measure the door frame along the top and both sides. Buy a self-adhesive foam or rubber strip long enough to cover those three edges.
Clean and dry the frame where the strip will go. Peel the backing off and press the strip firmly along the frame so it meets the door when closed.
Fit a brush or flap seal to the bottom of the door if air comes under it. Cut it to the door width and screw or stick it in place as the pack instructs.
Add a letterbox flap or brush seal over the inside of the letterbox. Check the flap still opens freely so post drops through.
Cover the keyhole with a metal escutcheon or a small keyhole cover that flips open when you use the key.
Measure each window gap and cut foam or rubber seal to length. Clean the frame, then press the seal into the gap so the window still closes and latches.
Open and close every door and window a few times to check nothing rubs or sticks. Feel for air again and add seal where draughts remain.
Tips and common mistakes
Never block air vents, flues or extractor fans, as they keep your home and appliances safe.
Keep draught excluders and seals away from heaters, fires and radiators.
Test the seal with a sheet of paper: it should pull out with slight resistance when the door is closed.
If the door frame is uneven or the gap is large, a professional may need to adjust the door first.
Questions
Can I draught-proof a rented home?
Yes, most strips and covers are removable and cause no damage. Check your tenancy agreement before screwing anything into the door.
Will draught-proofing make my home damp?
Not if you leave vents and trickle vents open and keep some ventilation. Sealing every gap with no airflow can trap moisture.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary by product and shop, but strips, letterbox flaps and keyhole covers are low-cost items you can buy at most hardware stores.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
