Draught Proofing — A Low-Cost Way to Keep Warm Air In
Gaps around doors, windows, floorboards and chimneys let warm air out and cold air in. Sealing them makes rooms feel warmer and cuts wasted heat.
Draught proofing is one of the cheapest ways to make a home feel warmer. It also has a knock-on effect: a draught-free home feels comfortable at a lower temperature, and the Energy Saving Trust says turning the thermostat down from 22°C to 21°C could save around £120 a year.
- Yearly saving: windows, doors and floors
- £55
- Yearly saving: draught-proofing an unused chimney
- £45
- Professional draught proofing, whole house
- ~£250
- Saving from turning the thermostat down 1°C
- £120
What Is Draught Proofing?
Draught proofing seals unwanted gaps: strips around doors and opening windows, brush or flap covers for letterboxes and keyholes, filler for gaps in floorboards and skirting, and an excluder or cap for unused chimneys. It must never block ventilation that is there on purpose, such as trickle vents, air bricks and extractor fans.
How It Works
Find the Draughts
Check doors, windows, letterboxes, loft hatches, floorboards, skirting and chimneys, and where pipes pass through walls.
Choose Materials
Match the product to the gap — for example brush strips for doors and sash windows, filler for fixed gaps.
Fit
Fit the seals, keeping trickle vents, air bricks and extractor fans clear.
Check Ventilation
Rooms with fuel-burning appliances or a lot of moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms, still need good ventilation.
Is It Right for My Home?
Almost every home can benefit, especially older homes. Professional draught proofing is sensible for older buildings, which often need extra care or specific materials, and anywhere you are unsure about ventilation.
Key Benefits
Low Cost
Professional draught proofing of windows and doors costs around £250 for a whole house; DIY is cheaper.
Warmer Rooms
Rooms feel warmer as soon as cold draughts are stopped.
Lower Bills
Around £55 a year for windows, doors and floors, plus around £45 for an unused open chimney (Energy Saving Trust).
DIY Friendly
Many products can be fitted without specialist tools.
Turn the Heating Down
A draught-free home is comfortable at a lower thermostat setting.
Works With Other Measures
Stops heat kept in by insulation from leaking out through gaps.
Ask for a Free Draught Proofing Quote
Typical Costs and Savings
Typical figures to help you compare, not a quote for your home. Your costs and savings depend on the property, how you heat it and how you use energy.
| Example | Typical Cost | Typical Saving a Year |
|---|---|---|
| Windows, doors and floors | ~£250 professionally (DIY cheaper) | ~£55 |
| Unused open chimney | Chimney caps from ~£150 | ~£45 |
| Thermostat down from 22°C to 21°C | Free | ~£120 |
Energy Saving Trust figures for Great Britain. Savings depend on how draughty your home is now. Source: Energy Saving Trust — draught proofing. Last reviewed September 2026.
Help With the Cost
Funding depends on where you live, your income and your home, and schemes change. We are not a government body — check the official scheme before relying on it.
0% VAT until 31 March 2027
Professionally installed draught stripping in a home is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027.
Read more on our grants guide →Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Home Energy Scotland funding can include draught proofing; Nest in Wales can fund improvements for eligible households.
Read more on our grants guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Your next step
Thinking about Draught Proofing?
It is free to ask and there is no obligation.