The clocks haven’t gone back yet, but the evenings are already drawing in. That first cold snap always seems to catch people out. If you’ve noticed a draught creeping in around your windows or doors, now’s the time to sort it. Don’t wait until December when everyone else has had the same idea.
Where draughts actually come from
It’s rarely just one thing. Older window frames can warp slightly over time. This leaves small gaps that let cold air in, even when the window looks shut properly. Door seals wear down too, especially on doors used every day. Once the rubber perishes, it stops doing its job.
Conservatories are often the worst offenders. They’ve got more glass and more joins than a standard room. You’ll feel any weakness in the seals or frame more once the temperature starts dropping properly.
It’s not always obvious where a draught is coming from either. Sometimes the problem isn’t the window itself but the reveal around it. Or it’s a gap where the frame meets the wall, one the fitters never sealed properly. Older properties often have small settlement gaps that widen over the years. These let air through just as easily as a worn seal does.
The quick fixes versus the real fix
Draught excluders and sealant tape have their place. But they patch a problem rather than solve it. If a window or door isn’t sealing properly, the frame, hinges or locking mechanism is usually to blame. It’s rarely just a gap you can fill.
A proper multi-point locking system pulls a door tight into its frame every time it closes. That does more for draughts than any amount of tape. The same goes for windows. If the seals have gone or the frame has moved, no DIY fix will match a well-fitted replacement.
There’s a cost side to this too. A house that keeps losing warm air has to work harder to stay heated. That means the boiler runs more than it needs to. Sorting draughts properly isn’t just about comfort. It can noticeably cut how often the heating kicks in over the colder months.
Worth checking now, not later
Walk round the house on a breezy day and feel for where the air moves. Check around window frames, along the bottom of doors, and anywhere a conservatory joins onto the rest of the house. If something feels off, book it in now while there’s still time to sort it properly. Don’t wait and live with it through the coldest months.
Get in touch with G&L. We’ll take a proper look at what’s letting the cold in, then tell you what would make the biggest difference before winter sets in.
