Do you find that you just can’t keep your house warm? Although windows and wall insulation are often the obvious culprits, we’ve also seen a lot of problems caused by a draughty door. In this article we’ll look at some of the causes of draughty doors, and what you can do to fix these issues.
What Causes A Draughty Door?
A lot of the time, issues with draughty doors are caused by poor initial installation. This means that the door has been installed in such a way that there are large gaps between the door and the frame. Wind gets in through these gaps, and warm air from your heated home escapes out.
However, this is not necessarily always the case. Especially in homes that are slightly older, the door and frame may have “settled” in such a way that a gap has appeared where previously there was none. No-one can really be blamed for this, it’s just how these things work out sometimes.
Finally, it’s important to note that not all draughts coming from the door are caused by gaps between the door itself and the frame. Often, you may find that your keyhole is letting in cold air (that small gap really can make a difference!) or that the letterbox is flapping open and shut in the wind, similarly letting warm air out from your heated home.
What Can I do to Fix This?
Thankfully there are a number of steps you can take to fix the issue of having a draughty door letting all the warm air out. If you’re having issues with keyholes and letterboxes, you’ll be happy to know there are covers and draught excluders designed specifically for these areas. However, it is very important to measure carefully before you buy anything – your letterbox especially may have some awkward inner dimensions that will make finding a good fit something of a challenge.
If the draughts are coming from gaps between the door and the frame, then you’ll have better luck with more traditional draught excluders. Nowadays you can get very nice-looking draught excluders for the base of your door, allowing you to use these practical items to compliment your interior design!
Sometimes, of course, there’s nothing for it but to replace the door and frame. Especially in cases where the door is old and has settled badly, leading to large, irregular gaps between the door and the frame. This is where Abelglass can help. We have years of experiencing installing doors for our many happy clients. Check out our doors here, or get in touch with us on 01253 893355 to discuss your needs!