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As the evenings draw in, a cold patch by the window or a whistle under the front door is hard to ignore. Draughts make rooms feel chilly, push up heating bills and often point to a problem that is easier to fix than you might think.
The good news is that a draughty window or door does not always need replacing. Many draughts come down to a tired seal or a hinge that needs a small adjustment. Others are a sign that a frame has reached the end of its life.
We have been helping homeowners with draughty windows across Surrey and Berkshire since 1972. Here is how to find the cause, a simple check you can do at home in a couple of minutes, and how to decide whether to repair, adjust or replace.
What causes draughty windows and doors?
Most draughts come from one of four places. Knowing which one you are dealing with is the first step to the right fix.
Worn or perished seals
The rubber seals around the opening part of a window or door are squashed every time it closes. Over the years they harden, shrink, crack or pull away at the corners. Once a seal loses its spring, cold air finds its way through the gap.
Loose or worn hinges
Hinges hold the window or door tight against the frame. If they work loose or wear, it no longer closes evenly and a gap opens along one side. A window that rattles in the wind, or a handle that feels sloppy, is often a hinge problem.
Dropped doors
Doors are heavy, and over time they can sag on their hinges. A dropped door may catch on the frame, need an extra lift of the handle to lock, or show daylight along the top corner. It is one of the most common causes of a draughty front or back door.
Ageing frames
Older timber frames can rot, warp or shrink, and early uPVC frames can twist out of shape. When the frame itself has moved, even brand new seals cannot close the gap properly.
Try the paper test at home
The paper test shows whether a window or door is sealing properly, and all you need is a sheet of A4 paper.
- Open the window or door and lay the paper across the frame where the seal sits.
- Close and lock it as normal, with the paper trapped in place.
- Gently pull the paper out.
- Repeat at several points: the top, the bottom, both sides and near the hinges.
If the paper is held firmly, the seal is doing its job. If it slides out easily, there is a gap at that point.
Where the gap appears tells you a lot. A loose spot in one place often points to a worn seal. A gap all the way down one side usually means a hinge or the frame has moved. On a windy day, you can also run the back of your hand slowly around the frame to feel for cold air.
When an adjustment or repair will do
Many draughts can be sorted in a single visit, without replacing the window or door.
- Replacing seals. New seals can be fitted to most windows and doors, restoring a snug fit around the opening.
- Adjusting hinges and keeps. Most modern windows and doors have adjustable hinges and locking points, so a fitter can pull the sash back tight against the frame.
- Lifting a dropped door. Adjusting or replacing the hinges brings a sagging door back into line, so it closes and locks smoothly again.
- Replacing worn locks and handles. A tired handle, lock or gearbox can stop a window or door pulling closed properly. These parts can usually be swapped without touching the frame.
A word of caution before reaching for the screwdriver. Hinges on modern windows and doors are carefully set, and turning the wrong screw can make a draught worse or affect the lock. If you are unsure, it is worth asking someone who does it every day.
When replacement is better value
Sometimes patching up an old window or door costs more over time than replacing it. Replacement is usually the better choice when:
- the frame is rotten, warped or cracked
- seals have been replaced but the draughts keep coming back
- several windows or doors in the house have the same problems
- the glass is single glazed, or the double glazed units have misted between the panes
- the locks are dated and the window or door no longer feels secure
New windows and doors are made to measure and fitted with modern seals, so they close tightly and keep the warmth in. Many homeowners notice a warmer, quieter home straight away.
Whichever way it goes, you will get an honest answer from us. No pushy sales, just straight advice. If a repair will do the job, we will tell you.
Feeling a draught?
Book a visit and our team will give you honest advice on whether a repair or a replacement makes most sense. Call 01932 344 415.
