A gap under a door can let in a surprising amount of cold air, and you usually feel it most around your ankles. The good news is that most draughts are quick and cheap to fix, with no tools or builders needed.
1. Find where the draught is coming from
On a windy day, hold the back of your hand or a strip of tissue near the bottom of the door, the edges of the frame, the letterbox and the keyhole. If the tissue moves or you feel cold air, that is a gap worth sealing.
2. Lay a draught excluder along the bottom of the door
The quickest fix for a gap under an inside door is a fabric draught excluder. It sits on the floor against the door and blocks the gap, and you can move it from room to room. Our Fabric Door Draught Excluder has a hanging loop so it can be put away when you don't need it.
3. Fit a brush strip to external doors
For front and back doors, a brush or rubber strip screwed or stuck to the bottom of the door seals the gap while still letting the door open over mats.
4. Seal the sides and top of the frame
Self-adhesive foam or rubber strips fitted around the inside of the frame close the gaps where the door meets it. Clean the frame first so the strip sticks properly.
5. Cover the letterbox and keyhole
A letterbox with brush bristles on the inside, and a simple keyhole cover, stop two of the most common draughts in older front doors.
6. Hang a thick curtain over the door
A heavy door curtain on a rail adds an extra layer in winter and can be pulled back in summer.
Keep some air moving
Don't block air bricks, trickle vents or vents for gas appliances. Homes need some fresh air to stay dry and safe, so seal draughts, not ventilation.