Draughtproofing Doors

Doors are a major source of draughts. A front door needs a gap around it, but should close firmly against its frame.

If you have a badly fitting door, it may be worth replacing it with a new one. If the door does not close properly, try repositioning the door-lock holder on the frame closer to the outside surface of the door.

Even when the door is a good fit, there will be some draughts around the edges. Check to find the worst spots by holding the back of your hand close to the gap and moving your hand around the frame closer to the outside surface of the door.

1. Seal the Gaps

Fill any gaps along the top and sides of the door frame with self-adhesive vinyl or foam strip. You'll have to use the tougher vinyl strip on external doors.

• Clean dirt and grease from the frame edges with a nylon scouring sponge and hot soapy water and allow to dry before pushing the draughtproofing strip into place.
• You may need to secure vinyl strips with panel pins or nails.

2. Fit a Draught Excluder

Fit a draught excluder to the bottom of the inside of a front or back door. These excluders are made of plastic or metal with a flexible rubber strip or nylon brush along the bottom to cut out draughts: smooth rubber strip is better on stone or wood floors, nylon brush is good for carpets.

• Place the rigid plastic or metal part of the excluder along the bottom of the door and lower until the sealer strip covers the gap below the door.
• Use a bradawl to mark the two screw holes at the outer edges of the strip.
• Drive screws through these holes and then drive screws through the remaining fixing holes.
• If you have thick carpet inside the doorway and don't want to wear the fibres as the door is opened, fit rising butt hinges, which lift the door upwards as it opens.

Some door kits consist of a rain deflector, which is fitted on the outside of the door, and a draughtproofing strip, fitted along the bottom of the doorway (the threshold). The rain deflector is screwed to the door so that the bottom is above the lower edge of the door. The draughtproofing strip is either screwed or nailed directly into the threshold so that a draughtproof seal is formed when the door closes.