Draughts are more than just a nuisance around the house. They can be a sign of structural deterioration or poor home insulation.
They let in cold air in winter and let cool air escape in summer. This makes it hard to keep a comfortable indoor temperature all year, leading to higher energy consumption, and in turn, higher energy bills.
Draught proofing is essential for both energy efficiency and comfort. A well-sealed home will reduce the need for constant heating and cooling, saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.
Keep reading to discover what you need to draught proof your home. This includes locating air leakage and how Expol’s retrofit underfloor insulation products can help.
Finding Draughts
Draughts can enter your home through gaps and cracks. Before you can start sealing them off, you will first need to find them. Here’s what you can do:
1. Look for Gaps
Check for gaps around window and door frames, as they are often the main culprits. If you can see light shining through cracks, it’s a clear sign that air is getting in and out.
2. Listen for Whistling
Listen for rattles or whistling noises. Take the time, especially on windy days, to listen for hissing sounds around the house.
3. Feel for Air
Check for breezes around windows and doors, fireplaces, vents, floorboards, skirting boards, and built-in heaters or air conditioners.
4. Watch for Movement
Look for movement in your curtains, as even a slight flutter or swaying can indicate the presence of draughts.
Addressing Draughty Areas of the Home
Here are the seven most common areas in your home that are prone to draughts. We also share expert tips to keep these areas sealed all year round:
1. Draught Proofing Wooden Floors
Cracks in wooden floors can be a major source of draughts. The most comprehensive solution is to install high-quality timber floor insulation.
Here at Expol, we design our floor insulation panels to fit snugly between wooden floor joists. This creates a solid barrier against cold air rising from underneath. They will significantly reduce draughts from below, ensuring a warmer, more energy-efficient home.
2. Draught Proofing Windows
Openings around windows can account for up to 20% of heat loss in winter. This is why draught-proofing strips or caulking can make a significant difference. Window seals like weatherstrips help close gaps between the window sash and frame, while caulk is perfect for sealing cracks.
Heavy, lined curtains can also help retain warmth, and pelmets can stop air from escaping through the top. A long-term solution is to replace single-pane windows with double-glazed ones.
3. Draught Proofing Doors
Sealing gaps around door frames is essential for effective draught proofing. For external doors, use plastic or metal door seals to block the bottom. For internal doors, a simple ‘door snake’ will do.
Don’t forget about doggy doors either! Adhesive weather stripping is a quick and easy fix to block unwanted air from slipping through.
4. Draught Proofing Walls
To draught-proof gaps between skirting boards and walls, use caulk or expanding foam. Caulk is ideal for small gaps while foam can fill larger voids.
Drafts can also seep through electrical outlets and switch plates in walls. Use foam gaskets behind these covers to reduce air leaks. If accessible, consider insulating wall cavities too for extra protection.
5. Draught Proofing Chimneys
Unused chimneys are often hidden sources of heat loss in the home. When a chimney is not in use, it can act as a channel for cold air to enter and warm air to escape.
Chimney balloons are good chimney draught proofing devices. You can place them inside the flue, inflating them to create a barrier while still allowing ventilation. You can fit draught excluders at the top to seal off openings.
6. Draught Proofing Vents and Fans
Many old brick homes feature fixed ceiling and wall vents that can lead to unwanted air leakage. To stop draughts, it’s essential to block these vents.
In addition to sealing off vents, consider addressing old exhaust fans and ducts too. Installing ventilation covers over these openings can prevent cold and hot air from entering.
7. Draught Proofing Loft Hatches
Roof access hatches are often overlooked when it comes to draughts, yet they can be an obvious origin. To draught-proof them, add strips around the edges to create a tight seal.
You can also install a ceiling hatch insulation board or cover, which will reduce heat transfer between the roof and your living spaces.
Things to Consider When Draught Proofing
Insulation and Ventilation
When draught proofing your home, it’s crucial to balance sealing out air and maintaining adequate ventilation. Stopping draughts should not compromise the fresh air needed for a safe, comfortable, and damp-free environment.
This is especially true for homes with internal gas appliances, such as:
- Flueless gas heaters
- Gas heaters installed in a chimney
- Open-flued gas heaters
Flueless appliances require fixed ventilation to safely remove gases. Open-flued gas heaters draw combustion from the room for safe operation. So, make sure you don’t block the ventilation openings for these devices.
DIY Draught Proofing vs Professional Draught Proofing
It’s pretty easy to draught proof your house yourself, especially for small tasks like weatherstripping doors and windows or filling gaps.
However, some situations call for professionals. For large or complex issues – like big air leaks, gaps in the building’s structure, or problems with insulation – it’s wise to hire the experts.
They can assess the extent of the issue, recommend solutions, and ensure that all draught-proofing work is done safely and effectively.
Choose Expol to Help With Your House Draught Proofing
Now is the time to strive for a draught proof house. It will not only bring long-term benefits, including financial savings but also create a healthier home environment.
The first step you can take is to get underfloor insulation for timber floors. It’s a cost-effective solution to create a more comfortable living space for you and your family.
Expol insulation is available at leading hardware stores and other selected outlets nationwide.
Please contact us directly at 1300 AU FOAM if you require further information.
