9 DIY draft-proofing jobs to warm your home in a weekend – and the big mistake to avoid. These (often simple) draft-proofing tricks will ensure your home is ready for winter – without harming your energy bill
Article by Megan Slack for Homes and Gardens
Advice by George Omalianakis, Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older and Traditional Buildings.
“There is perhaps one question in many people’s minds this season: how can we warm our homes for less?
Rising energy prices on both sides of the Atlantic are highlighting the increasing cost of living and learning how to cut energy bills is becoming an increasing priority for many of us.
Knowing how to winterize a house is among the most impactful ways you can lower your outgoings. Acquainting yourself with expert-approved draft-proofing tips is key to this and can make a significant difference over the colder seasons. And in many cases, these tricks are surprisingly easy to follow.”
Fill gaps around your door and window frames with silicone
Draft-proofing windows and doors is one of the most powerful ways you can warm your home, according to chartered architect George Omalianakis of GOAStudio London.
But before we get to the frames, look at filling any gaps between the window or door frames and the masonry [such as the brick/block] it sits within. You can use silicone or expanding filler to do this. ‘This is where lots of air escapes from, so you should focus on these gaps first,’ George explains.
Similarly, the architect recommends covering the gaps between the ‘openable’ section of your window and the fixed part of your window with adhesive foam tape, such as this one from Amazon, to help prevent drafts in your home.
Don’t forget hatch openings to your attic
In some cases, the attic is one of the most valuable spaces in your home. However, if yours is accessed via a ceiling hatch, it is worth insulating the upper side of the hatch door to stop warm air escaping.
‘Often the attic hatch does not fit well in the opening, and warm air escapes upwards and into the attic space that is cold and very drafty,’ says architect George Omalianakis of GOAStudio London. ‘This means it sucks air through it continuously.’ He adds that you can also use a similar weather-stripping product to fill any gaps.
What is the biggest draft-proofing mistake?
‘Remember that a healthy home requires a certain level of ventilation, which is even more important in wet areas such as bathrooms and shower rooms,’ the architect George Omalianakis of GOAStudio London says. ‘Draft-proofing is about preventing uncontrolled ventilation, but always make sure you have allowed for trickle vents and fans to provide controlled and beneficial ventilation.’
BOROUGH SPECIFIC ARCHITECT AND PLANNING GUIDES FOR YOUR HOME PROJECT
Your local Council will have in place design and planning requirements for your home project and you will need to obtain planning approval for a wide range of extensions and alterations to your property.
When you get in touch we will offer you detailed advice about what is likely that your Council will approve and in the meantime we have prepared the following architectural and planning guides that include extracts of the relevant planning policy and examples of our projects in our Borough.
Barnet architects | Planning and design homeowner guide, Camden residential architect and planning guide, Enfield residential architect and planning guide, Hackney residential architect and planning guide, Hammersmith Fulham residential architect and planning guide, Haringey architects | Planning and design homeowner guide and planning guide, Islington residential architect and planning guide, Kensington and Chelsea Conservation architects, residential and planning guide, Lambeth residential architect and planning guide, Lewisham residential architect and planning guide, Newham residential architect and planning guide, Tower Hamlets residential architect and planning guide, Waltham Forest residential architect and planning guide, Wandsworth residential architect and planning guide, Westminster residential architect and planning guide
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We provide architectural services for residential projects in the following London Boroughs:
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We specialise in
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GOAStudio London residential architecture limited.
86-90 Paul Street, EC2A 4NE, Hackney
Chestnut Avenue South, E17 9EJ, Waltham Forest
t: 0203 984 3005
