5 Steps to Draughtproofing a Home Correctly
Draughtproofing has the shortest payback of any home energy measure and is the one most often done incompletely.
1. Finding them
On a cold, windy day, move slowly along the edges of doors, windows and floors with a damp hand or a lit incense stick and watch the smoke.
Check less obvious places: loft hatches, letterboxes, keyholes, extractor vents, cable and pipe entries, and the gaps at skirting level.
Suspended timber floors leak considerable air between the boards.
Unused chimneys are frequently the single largest opening in a house.
2. Sealing them properly
Self-adhesive foam or brush strips for door and window frames, chosen to match the gap width.
Brush strips or door bottom seals for the gap under doors.
Letterbox and keyhole covers, which cost very little.
Silicone or expanding foam around pipe and cable penetrations.
Flexible filler for skirting gaps, or beading where the gap is wide.
A chimney balloon or removable cap for unused fireplaces, with a reminder that it must be removed before any fire is lit.
3. What must not be sealed
Air bricks and underfloor vents, which ventilate the structure and prevent rot.
Trickle vents in window frames.
Extractor fan outlets.
Any permanent ventilation serving a fuel-burning appliance, which is a safety matter rather than an efficiency one.
Sealing these causes condensation, mould and in the case of combustion appliances a genuine hazard.
4. The order to work in
Start with the largest and cheapest wins: chimney, letterbox, door bottoms and loft hatch.
Then window and door frames.
Then floors and skirting, which take longer.
Most of the benefit comes from the first group, which can be done in an afternoon for very little money.
5. Checking afterwards
Repeat the smoke test to confirm the draught has actually gone rather than moved.
Watch for new condensation over the following weeks, which indicates ventilation now needs attention.
The aim is controlled ventilation, not an airtight box.
Final Thoughts
Draughtproofing has the shortest payback of any home energy measure and takes an afternoon for the largest wins. The one rule that matters is leaving intentional ventilation alone, particularly anything serving a fuel-burning appliance.
Author: This article is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Circumstances vary, and you should consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this content.
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