Draft proof a door or window
Save £50–150 per year
30 mins · Beginner · Saves £50–150 per year on heating
Last updated: March 2025
Before you start
Drafts account for up to 25% of heat loss in older UK homes. Draft proofing is one of the highest return-on-investment home improvements you can make — materials cost £5–15 and pay back in weeks.
Feel for cold air around door and window frames on a windy day — that is where to focus first.
Tools needed
- ✓Scissors or craft knife — to cut the strip to length
- ✓Tape measure — to measure the frame length
- ✓Clean cloth — to wipe the frame before applying adhesive strips
- !Self-adhesive foam strip — buy: buy: £3–6 — use E-profile for large gaps, P-profile for small gaps
- !Brush strip or door sweep — buy: buy: £5–10 — for the gap under an external door
Identify where the draft is coming from
On a cold or windy day, hold your hand around the edges of doors and windows. Feel for cold air. Alternatively, hold a lit candle near the frame and watch the flame for movement.
Where beginners go wrong
Using foam strip that is too thick — the door will not close properly. Match the strip profile to the gap size.
Not cleaning the frame before applying adhesive — the strip will peel off within days.
Only doing one side of a window frame — drafts come in at all four sides of a poorly fitting frame.
Stop and call a tradesperson if...
The door or window frame itself is warped or rotten — draft proofing will not help and the frame needs replacing
You have a solid draft at a window despite new strips — the glass seal may be broken (misted double glazing)
Cost breakdown
What you just learned
You now know the different types of draft proofing and where to apply them. This is one of the most cost-effective energy-saving measures available — no specialist skills required.
What this unlocks
Once doors and windows are sealed, the next step is loft insulation and cavity wall insulation — the two biggest sources of heat loss in most UK homes.
✅ Completed by 3,187 people
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
Draft proofing with self-adhesive strips is reversible and does not damage the property — this is reasonable maintenance any tenant can do. For door sweeps that need screwing in, get your landlord's permission first.