Got a door in your home that’s letting in lots of cold draughts? There are a few possible causes of this that could be worth looking into. Below are just a few different ways to successfully draught-proof a door.
Draught excluders
If there’s a draft coming underneath the door, a draft excluder could be a good solution. These are long cushions that are designed to block the space beneath the door. Draught excluders come in all different fun designs, and can often help bring a sense of cosiness to a room. They’re also a very cheap and easy way to block out draughts.
Weather bars
Weather bars are long strips of wood or metal that are permanently fitted to the bottom of the door. They often have brushes attached, which help block the gap between the door and threshold without causing friction. Like draft excluders, they can help prevent cold air coming underneath the door. They can also keep out water and pests, making them very useful.
Weatherstrips
Is there a draft coming in through gaps around the side of the door? If so, it could be worth fitting some weatherstrips to the door and frame. These are rubber strips that are designed to create a seal around the door so that cold air and water cannot get in. Most new exterior doors already have weatherstrips fitted, but some older doors may not have weatherstrips. It’s also worth noting that weatherstrips can wear out after a few years - if you’ve got weatherstrips but you’re still getting draughts, consider whether the weatherstrips need to be replaced.
Letterbox brushes
If it’s very windy outside, it could potentially cause your letterbox to flap open and let in air. Installing brushes on your door’s letterbox may prevent this by providing an added barrier. Letterbox brushes can also stop water and pests getting in. This guide offers more tips for draughtproofing a letterbox.
Crack repair
You should check the wall around the doorframe to make sure that there are no cracks. Sometimes mystery draughts can be coming through cracks around the doorframe rather than the door itself. You may be able to seal these up with some caulk, although it’s worth investing in professional wall crack repair to help seal up any big cracks. It’s worth noting that some of these cracks could be a sign of foundation issues, which could be worth investigating to ensure that cracks don’t continue to grow and open up.
Keyhole covers
In some doors, draughts can come in through the keyhole. In these cases, it’s worth looking into keyhole covers to help block the keyhole. These are typically removable metal discs attached to screws that sit over the keyhole. Draughts are more likely to occur in doors with older locks - upgrading your lock could prevent draughts and improve your home’ security.