One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve the insulation quality of your home

Mind the gaps

According to the Energy Saving Trust, 20 per cent of all heat loss in the home is through poor ventilation and draughts. So we’re talking about proper curtains, sealants around doors and windows, and blocking up those fissures between floorboards and skirting boards with a neat line of silicone. Plenty of products to suit all tastes and abilities: from specialist plastics and rout for windows and doors, to brushes and self-adhesive foam strips.

PROS

• Simple.

• Cheap if you do it yourself.

• If it’s too much hassle, there are plenty of companies that will do it for you.

• You can also get posh draught proofing for your sash windows (try www.sashwindowspecialist.com)

CONS

• A bewildering number of products to choose from, so it could be slightly daunting if you’re

  the indecisive type.

• A specialist company could prove costly.

Useful Contacts

The Energy Saving Trust: www.est.org.uk
Architectural Seals: www.architecturalseals.co.uk
Draughtproofing.com: www.draftproofing.com
Draughtproofing Advisory Association: www.dpaa-association.org.uk

Words: Dominic Murphy Image: The Energy Saving Trust