If you have started to feel that the room temperature of your house is constantly declining, better check your windows for draughts. Because it is these small gaps which can lead to a heat loss from your house as well as financial loss to your pocket. And when this occurs, it is no brainer to guess that there is immediate requirement of draught proofing.

The problem associated with draughts is that they reduce the room temperature of your house. This basically leads to a greater work rate of your heater as the temperature has reduced. And greater work rate of the heater means higher rate of energy consumption. So all this basically leads to heavy escalation of your heating bills.

So draught proofing not only saves you from those huge heating bills, it also makes your house warmer and more comfortable. A number of materials can be used for the purpose of draught proofing your windows. Let’s have a detailed look at these materials.

Flexible sealant cartridge and skeleton gun.

These two materials are mostly used for filling gaps between the window frame and the window sill as well as gaps between skirting and floorboards. This type of sealing is known to last for a couple of years thus having high durability. Although Silicone based products are on the more expensive scale, they are highly resistant to any kind of deterioration.

Self-adhesive foam strip.

Foam strip is used for sealing windows as well as doors. It is a thick multipurpose strip which can seal gaps from 2 mm up to 10 mm. Although it is cost effective, it gets damaged quite easily.

Self-adhesive rubber strip.

The rubber strip is also used for sealing windows and doors. Available in a variety of colors, this strip is much tougher than a foam one and thus more hard-wearing.

Brush strips.

Brush strips are specialized draught proofers. Use of brush strips is generally restricted to surfaces which move against each other like sash windows and patio doors. These strips also go on the back of the bottom of exterior and interior wooden doors to provide a movable seal between the door and floor covering.

Screw-on external door kits.

Although most useful for draught proofing an external door, these kits can be put to other uses as well. These kits are also useful for upgrading existing doors. The kits achieve a reduction of up to 10dB with the appropriate usage of jamb seals and head.

Compression Threshold Strips.

These strips are fitted to the floor below the external doors thus helping close draughts. Here again reduction of up to 12dB with the appropriate usage of jamb seals and head.

Draught proofing is no skilled job. Actually is a very easy DIY job which requires patience and time. And in case you lack both or either of the two, you can always approach organizations that will assist you in these jobs. But remember, this assistance will cost you in monetary terms but it won’t be much. The National Insulation Association Ltd (http://www.ncia-ltd.org.uk/) provides you with the contact details of the nearest Association member whom you can approach for help, information as well as quotation. For any sort of advice pertaining to different aspects of home insulation and heating, free and correct information is provided your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (0800 512 012).