Draught-Proofing Your Home: A Weekend Guide for Under £50

Self-adhesive strips are one of the cheapest fixes in the house.

Draughts are one of the biggest reasons a room feels cold even with the heating on. The good news is that most of them can be fixed in an afternoon with a few inexpensive products from any DIY shop.

Find the draughts first

On a windy day, move a damp hand slowly around the edges of doors, windows, loft hatches and skirting boards. You will feel the cold air where it gets in.

Windows

Self-adhesive foam or rubber strips seal the gaps around opening windows. Sash windows usually need brush strips, which let the window still slide.

Doors

Fit a brush or hinged excluder to the bottom of external doors, a cover over the letterbox and a keyhole cover. For internal doors, a simple fabric draught snake works well.

Floorboards and skirting

Gaps between floorboards and under skirting boards can be filled with a flexible filler or silicone sealant.

What not to block

Do not seal air bricks, trickle vents or extractor fans. Homes need some ventilation to prevent damp and condensation, and rooms with fuel-burning appliances need a supply of fresh air.