Draughtproofing Windows

Casement Windows

Casement windows can be draughtproofed with self-adhesive excluder strips. The available range includes nylon brush, sprung V-strip (a flexible nylon strip with a V-shaped profile that is compressed as the frames meet), and tubular-shaped vinyl. Check the packaging to see which is recommended for a particular gap size.

Clean the frames with soapy water, prime and paint bare wood, then press the excluder strip against the parts of the fixed window frame that meet the edges of the opening frame.

Sash Windows

Sash windows are harder to seal efficiently because the top and bottom sections must be free to move up and down. Some sash window restoration companies can fit a system of nylon brushes around the frame to keep draughts out.

If you want to tackle the work yourself, use a brush seal for the sides and a vinyl tubular strip for the horizontal gaps. Cut the draughtproofing strip with a trimming knife or junior hacksaw to fit the frame part. Some products have a self-adhesive backing; others need to be held with small panel pins. Fix the strip so that the edge is a snug fit against the adjacent frame part.

Repairing Wooden Frames

Rotten or badly fitting frames can also cause draughts. Cut out rotten woodwork with a flexible saw and use the old piece as a template to cut the new piece. Soak the new timber in a wood preservative and allow to dry. Glue and screw into place, then prime and paint. You may need to add some exterior wood filler to seal gaps.

Filling Gaps

For cracks between the brickwork and the frame, use an exterior-grade flexible sealant that matches the colour of the frame. It usually comes in a tube that you must fit into an applicator gun, though some come in a flexible tube with a nozzle.