DRAUGHT PROOFING

Many homes are leaking heat through gaps in the joins where their windows and doors are.  In fact you can often feel this as a draft by holding your hand up against them on a cold and windy evening.  A common type of weather in this country.  This can have a profound effect with a typical home 20 per cent of all heat loss is through ventilation and draughts.

Draught proofing is one of the most inexpensive and effective energy efficiency measures for the home - yet it is too often overlooked. Only a quarter of the 22 million dwellings in the UK are adequately draught proofed. Yet draught proofing offers the quickest return, frequently paying for itself within a year and then saving year after year.

Draughts can cause major discomfort in the home, and for the elderly and very young this can be risky to health. Many older buildings in particular have poorly fitting sash windows. Draughts cause cold damp air to be forced in as the warm air is drawn out. A lower temperature is acceptable in a draught free atmosphere.

There are several types of materials available - from brushes, foams and sealants to strips and shaped rubber or plastic.  There are also often grant and offers available for draughtproofing or other energy saving measures.

Draught proofing materials also guard against ingress of rain and snow, which damages internal decoration.

Only durable draught proofing should be fitted and supplied by NIA members, as tested by the BSI to last for ten years. A 20-year guarantee is available on BS products supplied by DPAA manufacturers. A poor quality product may only last a year and is poor value for money and effort

Where Are the Draughts Coming From ?
Show your NIA installer where the draughts are coming from in your home. There are many types of product - for around windows (sash, metal, timber); external doors (including weatherbars for door bottoms); internal doors - particularly kitchens, bathrooms and main living areas; the loft hatch, and even letter boxes, key holes and cat flaps! Products are made in many materials and can be discreet, merging with surroundings, or in bold attractive colours to match your decor.

To ensure quality of fit to maximise comfort and energy saving benefits, employ a professional NIA installer, skilled in fitting a wide range of durable products to the BS Code of Practice 7880. A standard market price for a typical semi-detached house is around £250 before grants and subsidies.  Look out for products carrying a kitemark or certified to British Standard 7836.

If you are applying a total package of insulation, avoid completely sealing the building. Omit sealing kitchen and bathroom windows to let out the steam and create sufficient ventilation. Instead seal the inner doors to these rooms. Do not interfere with air vents for fires and heating appliances.