It doesn’t matter if you built your home yourself last year or it dates back to the mid-1800s. There’s a good chance that you might notice some drafts in your house at one point or another! Yes, even the most modern or buildings still let in breezes through cracks and gaps, although they might not be as noticeable. However, once you have a very windy and blustery day, you will notice the wind blow through your home as the drafts get worse.
But don’t worry, though, there are quite a few things you can do to prevent drafts from cooling down your home. And, thankfully, most of the fixes are quick and fairly low-cost to carry out. So, got a spare few minutes? Here are some ways you can put an end to all those little breezes you feel around your home!
Install New Door Sweeps
One of the quickest ways to stop any fresh air coming into your rooms under the doors is to install some new door sweeps. These are long strips of wood that are placed at the bottom of the door. It helps to seal the gap between the door and the floor a lot better than the door would on its own. You can even buy some door sweeps that are covered in bristles, which will cut down the chance of any drafts even further. You can buy these from your local DIY or hardware store and they will be easy to install onto the door on your own. If you ever get stuck trying to do this, you should check YouTube for some video guides.
Hang Thicker Curtains
Even if you have some double-glazed windows, you will still experience some drafts through your windows on very windy days. But don’t panic – you won’t need to pay to get your double glazing updated. Not yet, anyway! First of all, you should try hanging thicker and longer curtains. Try and find some curtains that will hang all the way down to the floor so that they don’t let any air through. Curtains made out of thicker materials will also be a great help too. When you are choosing curtain colors, you might want to go for some darker ones too. That’s because darker colors help rooms appear and feel a lot warmer.
Insulate Light Switches And Power Outlets
Did you know that the light switched and power outlets in your home will be acting like wind tunnels in your walls? That’s right – there will be a surprising amount of cold air coming into your rooms through these fixtures. So, it’s important that you insulate yours if you haven’t done so already. To do this, you need to buy some insulating foam from your local DIY store. Then, turn off all the power in your home so you can take the covers off. Cut out the foam so it can fit into the back of the cover, and then reattach it to the wall. Voila; you’ve just insulated your light switches and power outlets!
Block Up Any Fireplaces
If you live in a period property, then there is a good chance you have some gorgeous fireplaces in the walls. Sure, these may look fantastic, but they are also one of the biggest causes of drafts as well! So, you should consider blocking the chimney up so that no wind and cold air can come inside from outside. It could be possible to do this yourself but to ensure that the chimney is blocked up properly and won’t need redoing at any point in the future, you should think about hiring a handyman to do this for you. This job shouldn’t take too long for them to do and, therefore, shouldn’t be too pricey for you.
Plant Trees And Hedges
Did you know that your garden could also be a big help in the battle against drafts? If you have a few trees and hedges along the sides of your property, they will be able to break up the wind as it blows towards your home. And that way, you won’t experience quite as many drafts. But all of these trees, hedges, and shrubs will also be a good idea in the summer too, as they will provide the property with plenty of shade. So, you won’t be blinded when you’re relaxing on the couch watching your favorite movie!
Drafts shouldn’t bother you too much in your home. If they do, then use the tips above and you will notice a big difference before long!
