Double Glazing & Draught Proofing

Learn more about the some of the most effective ways to lock the heat in your home and cut the cost on energy bills.

Draughts coming through windows, doors or other openings can quickly cause rooms to fell chilly and make your central heating work harder to keep the temperature even. The good news is that the Government has made funding available to help people keep their homes both cosy and energy efficient. See Green Grants.

Find out about other ways to keep the heat locked in, such as Loft Insulation, Water Tank Insulation & more. Also see our videos on How to Insulate your Home & How to Save Energy in your Home. If you prefer to call in the professionals to insulate your home, see Builders. For glazing repairs or upgrades, book a Glazier.

To make your home even more eco-friendly, see our Energy Saving Tips - there's a number of ways you can reduce your energy bills without too much bother.

Choose any of the following categories to learn about the double glazing or draught proofing material that's best for your home.

Double glazing

• UPVC Windows
• Aluminium Frames
• Timber Frames

Draught proofing

• Flexible Sealant Cartridge & Skeleton Gun
• Self-adhesive Foam or Rubber Strips
• Brush Strips
• Screw-on External Door Kits
• Compression Threshold Strips
• Keyholes
• Letterboxes

Double Glazing

UPVC Windows

Benefits

• Generally insulates better than aluminium frames.
• Considered to be the most durable frame for double glazing installations.
• Normally the cheapest option.

Aluminium Frames

Aluminium framed double glazing is not as popular as it once was - UPVC insulation is now a cheaper, better option. Nevertheless, these types of frames are very strong so they don't suffer warping or twisting. They're available in a number of different colours to choose from.

Benefits

• Considered more effective than UPVC windows in terms of home security.
• Require very little maintenance.

Timber Frames

While timber frames are the most expensive choice, they're available in a variety of stains and hardwoods like pine or cedar. Timber frames are not tough as UPVC or aluminium. A softwood frame in particular will have a shorter life span than UPVC or aluminium and could be prone to warping. Even so, many would say that their natural beauty outweighs this concern.

Benefits

• Aesthetically the most pleasing choice.

Draught Proofing

Flexible Sealant Cartridge & Skeleton Gun

This silicone-based sealant is ideal for filling gaps between skirting and floorboards. Although relatively expensive, the sealant is generally less prone to deterioration.

Self Adhesive Foam or Rubber Strips

Largely used for sealing gaps around window and door edges, these strips can easily be attached to the frame. Rubber strips are tougher and more hard-wearing than foam strips.

Brush Strips

Brush strips create a flexible barrier between the floor and door covering and are ideal for surfaces moving against each other such as patio doors and sash windows.

Screw-on External Door Kits

These are an effective way to draught proofing an external door. The kit works by forming a second seal around the door - it sits on top of the frame rather than between the seal and door. This won't interfere with the normal operation of the door.

Compression Threshold Strips

These are fitted to the floor under external doors to prevent draughts and are extremely effective. When the door is closed, a seal is formed between the underside of the door and the floor that is impenetrable to draughts

Keyholes

A mortise lock is a common source of draughts since the keyhole needs to go through the entire door. Measures to remedy this involve fitting brass covers that pivot at the top to swing out of way when the lock is used and swung back afterwards.

Letterboxes

A letterbox presents a fair sized hole to the outside and so is naturally a source of draughts. Investing in a good quality flap with a strong spring-mounted return mechanism keeps it sealed snugly. An additional interior flap or a brush unit can be fitted to further reduce draughts and neaten the appearance of the opening.