Draught-Proofing on a Budget: Fix Old Windows for Under £5

The Problem with Old Double Glazing

[TODO: Elaborate on the specific problems you had with old double glazing where hinges had begun to fail. What were the symptoms? How bad were the draughts? What made you realize you needed to fix it?]

The Simple Solution: Draught Seal Tape

Instead of expensive window replacements, I discovered a simple and incredibly cheap solution: draught seal tape. This self-adhesive foam tape creates an airtight seal when windows and doors close, completely eliminating draughts.

Watch the Fix in Action

I recorded the entire process of fixing one of my windows. It's remarkably straightforward and takes just a few minutes per window.

What I Fixed

1. Old Double Glazing with Failing Hinges

The problem with our old double glazing was simple but frustrating: closing the windows no longer made a tight seal. The hinges had worn over time, and gaps had developed that let cold air pour in.

How did I know the draughts were that bad? I used a tea light test - holding a lit tea light near the window frames. The flame flickered dramatically, showing exactly where the draughts were coming from. (Note: I don't recommend this method anymore due to fire risk, but it certainly proved the point!)

The draught seal tape was the perfect solution. Applied to the window frames where they close, it created an airtight seal that completely eliminated the draughts. Watch the video below to see the dramatic difference it makes.

2. The Front Door Problem

Our front door was a solid wood door with Georgian bars and 9 single panes of glass. In winter, it was noticeably cold to stand near - a clear sign of heat loss. The draught seal tape worked just as well on the wooden door frame as it did on the UPVC windows.

But the door had another major issue: the letterbox.

Installation Process

[TODO: Step-by-step description of how you applied the draught seal tape. Key tips and tricks you learned? Any mistakes to avoid? How do you ensure it's positioned correctly? - Watch the video above for the full process]

Tools Needed

• Draught seal tape
• Scissors
• Clean cloth (to prep surfaces)

Beyond Tape: Tackling the Letterbox

The letterbox was a major source of draughts. It had a metal flap on the outside but no brush inside or flap on the inside either - essentially an open hole letting cold air pour in.

The Letterbox Block

My first solution was beautifully simple: I cut a piece of wood to size from an offcut and used it to block the letterbox overnight. Just insert it in the evening and pull it back out in the morning. Cost: £0 (used scrap wood).

This immediately stopped the cold air pouring through but obviously meant no post delivery until you removed it. Perfect for overnight though, when draughts are most noticeable.

Thermal Curtain for the Door

The more permanent solution was fitting an extendable curtain pole above the door and hanging a cheap thermal-lined curtain. This served multiple purposes:

• Draught reduction - Creates an insulating barrier over the entire door
• Night-time privacy - Covers the 9 glass panes
• Flexibility - Draw it back during the day for light and access

Results and Savings

Important: What Draught-Proofing Didn't Fix

Being honest - the front door still had loads of condensation even after draught-proofing. This is an important distinction: draught-proofing stops air movement and heat loss, but it doesn't solve condensation issues caused by humidity and temperature differences.

Condensation requires different solutions like improved ventilation or addressing humidity sources. But that's a topic for another article - the draught-proofing did exactly what it was supposed to do: stop cold air coming in and warm air escaping.

Total Investment

• Draught seal tape: Under £5
• Letterbox wooden block: £0 (used scrap wood offcut)
• Extendable curtain pole: £12-£20
• Thermal curtain: Depends on your doorway size (we used a single curtain)
• Total draught-proofing: Around £20-£30 for the complete setup

Estimated Heating Savings

While I don't have exact before/after heating bill data, the principle is straightforward: if your heating system doesn't have to constantly replace heat lost through draughts, it runs less frequently and uses less energy.

For an investment of around £20-£30 (including the curtain and pole), even a small reduction in heating costs pays back quickly. And the comfort improvement - not standing in a cold draught - is immediate.

Tips for Success

• [TODO: Key lesson 1]
• [TODO: Key lesson 2]
• [TODO: Key lesson 3]
• Watch the video above for visual guidance
• Cost is minimal - perfect for renters or budget-conscious homeowners

When to Use This Solution

This draught seal tape solution is perfect if:

• You have old double glazing with failing hinges
• Your wooden doors are letting in draughts
• You can't afford full window replacement yet
• You're renting and need a non-permanent solution
• You want immediate results for minimal cost

The Permanent Solution: New Door & Outdoor Postbox

The draught-proofing served us well for years, but eventually we replaced the old solid wood door entirely. We kept the Georgian bar theme - it's a classic look - but went with uPVC for better thermal efficiency.

We used a local company for the installation. They'd actually installed some windows for another property in our street, and they did such a good job that we gave them our business for the door, and then continued to use them for two further jobs installing replacement windows at our house. When you find quality tradespeople, stick with them.

The Letterbox Dilemma

Here's a problem I hadn't anticipated: I didn't want to buy a brand new, thermally efficient door and then punch a hole in it for a letterbox! That would completely defeat the purpose of having an efficient door.

I spoke to our postman for advice, and he recommended getting an outdoor postbox. His key requirements:

• Top-loaded - Front-loaded postboxes can't accept non-bendable letters (like cards in stiff envelopes)
• Large letter capacity - Must accommodate large letter sizes
• Weather-resistant - Obviously needs to withstand British weather

Still Using the Curtain

Even with the new uPVC door, we've kept the thermal curtain. It still serves a valuable purpose - providing privacy at night with those 9 glass panes. Sometimes the simple solutions stick around because they just work.

The Bigger Picture: Part of My Heating Journey

Draught-proofing was the first step in my home heating optimization journey. Starting with the cheapest, highest-impact measures made sense before investing in bigger upgrades like loft insulation, new windows, and eventually a new front door.

The outdoor postbox is a perfect example of thinking beyond the obvious solution. Instead of punching a hole in our new efficient door, we found a better way that actually improved on the original setup.

[TODO: Link to home heating optimization hub article when ready]