Drafty sitting room

[Harvestmoonsobig]

No obvious source of cold. What could be causing the draft? Consequently, find sitting there miserable.

Clues?
Long narrow room with double radiator at one end. Could this mean that warm air is not circulating around the room. Instead, a cold spot is created? Or,

Cold coming up through the floor; insufficient underlay under carpet?

Have you had this experience?

[LumelaMme]

What age house? What type of windows? Does the room have a fireplace?

We had epic draughts in this house, so I can sympathise.

[Harvestmoonsobig]

Lum : you're a good source of advice.

1950s local authority so structurally sound. There is fire place which has an electric / surround combo. I would think this is main source of draft. However when I've tracked the seal with flame it's not obvious that a draft is coming through. Might it be that cold air is leaking through the seal?

[LumelaMme]

Sorry, only just noticed your response. Not sure why I qualify as a good source of advice, but I'm always happy to dispense it

You sound as if you've tried the seal round the electric fire/surround. Do you have double glazing and if not have you tried the same with the windows?

If it's floorboards under your carpet, you might need thicker underlay. Some post-war floorboards were a bit shoddy, not properly seasoned etc, so you can get considerable shrinkage and wide gaps.

A double radiator should be able to heat a sizeable room - say 15' square - without a problem.

[PJBanana]

Our living room is extremely cold, caused by 3 main things:

• It's north facing
  
• It has large bi-fold patio doors and a floor to ceiling window
  
• Our sofa sits in front of one of the radiators (only place we can put it)
  

Could any of these be issues to you? We were told it's surprising how much cold certain types of windows and doors can let in.

[Villagernumber9]

With the age of the house, I'd say that you have floorboards instead of concrete.
To keep the floorboards dry and to prevent rot, you will have air vents in your walls.
The best way to prevent drafts is to get an insulated underlay. This will cut down on the draft.

[Villagernumber9]

www.draughtex.co.uk/

Just an idea for you.

[BackforGood]

Our living room is MUCH colder if you sit near the window. It is double glazed but a big window and the room never gets much sun. It has, however, made a HUGE difference to get floor to ceiling lined curtains, and not have any of the seats in the bay.

[PigletJohn]

A long room is better with a radiator at each end. Use TRVs to remove the risk that it will become too hot.

Cold air flows down from glass windows. The bigger they are, the worse. Double glazing reduces but does not stop it. Thick lined floor-length curtains reduce it a lot.

A 1950's house is pretty sure to have cavity walls, but they may still be cold if uninsulated. Any damp will increase heat loss through walls.

Joss sticks will tell you if cold air is entering the room through gaps. If not you can still get cold draughts from convection currents. Floors are not very cold unless they are bare boards and let air enter through the gaps and under the skirting.

If it is not a ground-floor room then the floor will not be the problem, but look at loft insulation. Is it gappy? How thick?

Bay windows have a roof, and it is often totally uninsulated.

[Harvestmoonsobig]

Thanks Piglet : my hunch is that it is the absence a radiator that is. resting cold spots because the room pleasantly warm when you enter. Shall google convection current.