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Best draught excluders to conserve heat and save money
A draught excluder is a cheap and effective way of saving money on heating bills by keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. Here's our pick of the best draught excluders UK to keep your home cosy this winter.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Mar 8, 2024
There’s nothing worse than feeling a breeze in your house once the cold weather hits, and properly fitting the best draught excluder for your home is a relatively cheap and effective way to minimise heat loss.
From investing in the best electric blanket to pre-warming beds with a hot water bottle, many of us are looking for cost-effective solutions to stay warm this winter without cranking up the central heating. With energy bills remaining high, when you do turn up the thermostat, the last thing you need is for all that precious heat to escape. Fitting the best draught excluders throughout your house can keep your home warmer and prevent cold air from getting in through doors, chimneys, windows and even the gaps in your floorboards.
To help you decide on the right one to buy, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve researched and collated the top heat-conserving products according to expert recommendations and advice from Mumsnet users – from the best draught excluder for front doors to the best draught excluder for windows and chimneys. So get comfy, pop on a pair of the cosiest women's slippers, and read on for 11 effective ways to keep your home that little bit warmer this winter.
Nicola Spring Herringbone Fabric Draught Excluder
Set of two offers excellent value for money
Aesthetically pleasing
Keeps cold air out
Can be hooked to your doors for maximum efficiency
The covers aren't removable which may make them a bit tricky to keep clean
RRP: £14 for two | Material: Cotton and polyester | Dimensions: 8 x 79 x 12cm | Machine washable: No
When you're all snuggled up under your best heated throw or blanket hoodie, the last thing you want is to feel the chill of an icy draught. Thankfully, these weighted fabric Nicola Spring Door Draught Excluders are an easy way to prevent cold air from creeping in under your internal doors. We love the handy hooks on each draught excluder, allowing you to attach them to your door so you don't have to move them every time you leave the room.
The classic herringbone pattern, dark grey colour and sweet white hearts offer a lovely country cottage charm. Sold as a pair and with a two-year warranty included, they also offer excellent value for money.
Cost-effective
Easy to install
Provides sound insulation
Not the most attractive option
Won't stick as well on external doors
RRP: £8 | Material: Non-toxic silicone | Dimensions: 100 x 5 x 0.5cm (in the form of a strip) | Machine washable: N/A
If you have a lot of doors requiring draught prevention, even the cheapest of fabric excluders could prove costly. These adhesive strips from EXTSUD come with hundreds of five-star reviews and it’s easy to see why. A cost-effective way to draught-proof several doors in your home, these pre-glued strips can be installed in next to no time without the need for tools. The clever three-layer design will not only keep out the cold but can also help to reduce sound up to five times.
Some reviewers did note that the strips did not hold on garage or external doors though, so it’s best to keep them for indoor use.
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Works on most doors
Cost-effective
Good for external doors
You’ll need to screw it to the door - the fixings are concealed though
It may need trimming down to size
RRP: £11 | Material: Polyvinyl chloride | Dimensions: 86.5 x 5 x 1cm (can be cut to size) | Machine washable: N/A
This Stormguard Draught Excluder is a great option for your front door, garage door or sliding doors. It won’t succumb to the elements and can attach securely to successfully keep underfloor draughts at bay. With a compact row of bristles, the brush seal traps air without dragging or causing damage to your carpets.
It’s worth noting that you will need to screw this to your door, although the screw heads will be concealed once installation is complete. Although it does come in different sizes, you may also need to cut it down to size – so be prepared to get your tool kit out.
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Uses elastic bands and hook and loop tape to help it fit better
Machine washable
Also guards against noise, light, wind and dust
May need to be cut to size
Risk that fitting tab could stop doors from closing
RRP: £23 | Material: Fabric not specified | Dimensions: 88 x 5cm; 98 x 5cm; 108 x 5cm (and can be cut to fit) | Machine washable: Yes (removable cover)
We love the convenience of this double-sided draught excluder. Not only will it prevent draughts (as well as noise, dust, light and insects) from sneaking under your doors, but it is easy to fit and is machine washable too. Fowong claims to be the only manufacturer to use their 'hook and loop' design which prevents the draught excluder from moving around. However, some reviewers said this also stopped doors from closing properly.
Each pack comes with six rolls of white foam tubing, which can be cut to size to fit most doors. They’re fairly discreet too and available in a choice of grey or black - perfect for using alongside the best thermal curtains to keep your home warm and insulated.
A highly effective way of making homes with wood floors warmer
No mess installation
A little on the pricey side
Not as easy to use with larger gaps
RRP: £25 | Material: StopGap material | Dimensions: 19 x 18.01 x 2.01cm | Machine washable: N/A
If you’ve got exposed wooden floors in your home, gaps in the floorboards can allow draughts to rise up between them, as well as risk losing valuable warm air from your central heating underneath the house.
The StopGap Draught Excluder is easy to install. Simply unroll the V-shaped plastic and push it down into the gaps in your floorboards using a credit card. If the gaps are narrow, the plastic should just hold itself in place whilst remaining virtually invisible. However, for larger gaps, you may also need to use some silicone, which will take a little longer and may make them more visible. Whilst nearly all customers agreed that the tape certainly made their rooms warmer, some did feel that it was a little pricey for what is essentially a simple roll of plastic.
Mess-free installation
Discreet and non-visible once fitted
A little time-consuming to install
RRP: £31 | Material: DraughtEx | Dimensions: 40-metre roll with 8mm width | Machine washable: N/A
The DraughtEx Roll foam is an excellent, mess-free way to block up small and narrow gaps such as those found between floorboards and skirting boards. It requires no adhesive, but you will need to trim it down to size and add it between all the gaps and cracks, which some reviewers found a little time-consuming.
Cleverly designed to mimic the natural shadows created between the gaps, once fitted, it’s non-visible and won't spoil the aesthetic of your room. It also comes in a thinner 4mm version too, making it easy to find the right fit for your home.
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A simple and effective way to keep out draughts
Will bring a stylishly cosy feel to your room
Neutral design ideal for living spaces
Spot clean only
RRP: £28 | Material: Outer 100% cotton, lining 100% polypropylene, filling 100% polyester, leather strap | Dimensions: 100 x 13 x 8.5cm | Machine washable: No, spot clean only
When you've just got in and shrugged off your heated gilet, the last thing you want is to have to sit in a chilly room. This hard-wearing fabric design from John Lewis will not only keep out the draughts under your internal doors, but it also offers a neutral and modern look that won’t look out of place in a stylish living space.
Sturdy enough to stay put against the door, but light enough to be moved with ease, we love the integrated leather strap to aid portability. The only downside? It’s spot clean only and as such, the lighter colour of this design may be a little challenging to keep clean.
Made from natural products
Is likely to affect your heating bill
Minimises wind noise from the chimney
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all product, so you’ll need to measure the inside of your chimney
RRP: From £27 (depends on size) | Material: Wool | Dimensions: 14 x 36 inches (comes in a variety of sizes to fit different chimneys) | Machine washable: Yes
A wood burner or real fire is a lovely addition to any room. However, when it’s not in use, your chimney is likely to be the single biggest source of warm air loss in your home, with experts calculating that a chimney draught excluder can save you up to £65 per year.
The popular Chimney Sheep is a removable chimney draught excluder made from naturally breathable wool. It also comes with a handle for easy removal if you use your fire regularly. As a bonus, a Chimney Sheep will also reduce wind noise and prevent debris from falling down your chimney.
For the Chimney Sheep to work properly, it must fit snuggly, so you'll need to measure the inside of your chimney breast correctly, which is something that some felt was a little challenging.
Magflap Letterbox Draught Excluder
Will reduce noise as well as draughts
Available in different colours
Easy to install
Pricey
RRP: £33 | Material: ABS and galvanised steel | Dimensions: Internal aperture: 290 x 70mm; external size: 340 x 98mm | Machine washable: N/A
If you live in a property without a hallway, you could experience a significant draught coming from your letterbox, bringing cold air right into your front room. The Magflap Letterbox Draught Excluder can keep out the cold and reduce noise, while the magnets allow your postie to still deliver your mail with ease.
Although it does require screws, just about every reviewer reported that it was simple to install. The Magflap is a little pricier than some letterbox draught excluders but comes with far more positive reviews than the cheaper alternatives.
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Cost-effective
Keeps out cold air around windows
Universal seal suitable for doors and windows
Could be a little tricky to install
RRP: £8 | Material: UPVC rubber | Dimensions: Available in 6, 12 and 20m | Machine washable: N/A
Although double glazing and UPVC window seals are a great way to draught-proof your home, seals can become compressed or wear away over time, reducing their effectiveness at keeping out the cold.
The Stormguard Window and Door Gasket Seal requires no adhesive, you simply push it into the channel or groove inside the frame. Whilst this certainly makes installation mess-free, some reviewers found it was a little fiddly, particularly around the corners. That said, it's worth the effort as it's super effective, so you can snuggle up in the best women's dressing gown without having to worry about cold air leaking in.
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face
Well made and highly effective
A cute addition for families
May be a little cumbersome for some
It’s a lot of money to pay for a single draught excluder
RRP: £40 | Materials: Boucle fabric with polyfibre and wadding | Size: 14 x 84cm | Machine washable: No, sponge clean only
This delightful draught excluder by Dora Designs comes with a host of incredibly positive reviews, which is no surprise given that it's in the form of an adorably grumpy cat – what’s not to love?
Reviewers were keen to note that, despite its novelty design, this draught excluder was incredibly well made with high-quality fabric that is very effective at keeping out the cold.
It’s a little heavier than most fabric draught excluders, so while it can double up as a handy door stop, it does have the potential to get in the way if you're opening and closing the door regularly.
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What to look for in a good draught excluder
The right draught excluder for you will depend on your needs - specifically the source of your draught and the type of heat loss you are experiencing. Here are some things to consider when making your choice:
Size - Does the draught excluder come in pre-set sizes? If so, you must learn the exact dimensions of the space you’re trying to insulate - whether that's a window, door or gaps between your floorboards. Some draught excluders come in longer lengths that can be cut to size, but it's important to measure carefully to ensure a perfect fit.
Assembly - How easy is the draught excluder to fit? Does it require any tools or screws? Some draught excluders are physically placed over the source of the draught to simply block airflow, whilst others need to be physically attached and installed. You may wish to consider the time taken to install and weigh this up against the benefits.
Aesthetic - Some draught excluders are more noticeable than others. In a modern home, you may wish to opt for discreet or non-visible draught excluders (such as those that go between the gaps of your floorboards). Alternatively, you may wish to choose fabric draught excluders that, although noticeable, can actually add to the overall look and feel of your room, similar to curtains and cushions. If you’re using more noticeable under-door brushes, you may prefer to stick to external doors only.
Portability - Does the draught excluder remain permanently installed once fitted, or does this need to be removed e.g. chimney or fabric door draught excluders? If portable, how easy is it to move around and is it likely to become cumbersome when moving around inside the home?
Cost - How much are you willing to spend and how does this compare to the money you can save as a result?
What are the different types of draught excluders?
Under door brush draught excluders - Most commonly used on external or garage doors, this style of draught excluder is normally screwed to the door and blocks air flow between the base of the door and the frame.
Foam or rubber draught excluders - Ideal for sealing gaps between windows, doors and floorboards, these foam or rubber strips are easy to install, even in small gaps, to prevent warm air from escaping or cool air from creeping in.
Chimney draught excluder - These large draught excluders are used to insulate your chimney breast when your fire is not in use, effectively sealing a large source of heat loss whilst reducing audible wind noise too.
Letterbox draught excluder - These are fitted inside your letter box to prevent draughts whilst maintaining relatively easy access for your postie.
Fabric draught excluder - Usually long and chunky tubes placed in front of the door when you're settling down in a room. They prevent air loss from underneath the door frame and tend to come in attractive designs. However, they may need moving to open and close the door.
Strip draught excluder - Possibly the cheapest option, these adhesive strips can be added to the bottom of doors and windows to create a physical barrier for air and prevent heat loss. They aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing and they tend to wear off over time, but make a popular choice if you want quick results on a budget.
What is the best way to stop draughts around doors?
A well-fitting draught excluder is the easiest and cheapest way to stop draughts coming through your doors.
You could also hang a pair of thermal curtains, which will make a big difference, particularly if your front door opens straight into your living area. Cold may also come in through gaps around the edges of your door so you may need to fill them with foam or a seal, or also consider purchasing a letterbox draught excluder too. Finally, if you really want to go all out, you can get a keyhole cover such as this STORMGUARD one. These are metal discs designed to drop over the hole and keep out the cold.
When draught-proofing your home, remember that you do need to maintain ventilation in each room otherwise you’ll be prone to mould and damp. To allow fresh air to circulate, make sure you never block up spaces that are specifically designed to let the outside air in such as airbricks, underfloor grills, or vents.
How to fit a draught excluder around a door
This will largely depend on the type of draught excluder you’re using. Fabric excluders don’t require any fitting unless you want to hook it to your door, in which case you’ll need to hammer in a couple of nails to attach it. Some of the strip options come pre-glued, whilst others will need screwing onto the door.
Can you paint over your draught excluder?
If you’re fitting a strip draught excluder that uses adhesive or is screwed to your door, you may be able to paint it, particularly if it is made of wood. However, when it comes to seals, you won’t be able to paint them as the paint will prevent the seal from expanding and filling the gaps, rendering it ineffective. It's always best to choose a seal that is closest in colour to your windows and doors, so you don't have to paint it.
How we chose the best draught excluder 2024
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Nothing will give you a better sense of whether something is worth buying and is cost-effective than an honest, unbiased review from a real parent. That’s why our first port of call is always the Mumsnet forums where we trawl the Talk boards to seek out recommendations and top tips from the Mumsnet community.
Expert opinions
To help us decide on our shortlisted products, we also took on board advice from experts and professionals about where draughts were likely to be in the home and the best ways to keep them out and therefore save money on your bills.
Authentic customer reviews
We researched each type of draught excluder and then found the ones ranking highly on bestseller lists and those that had first-class reviews on retailer sites.
We took into account what reviewers were saying regarding value for money, effectiveness and whether or not they were easy to install.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in parenting and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Conscious of energy bills, Lucy has spent significant time insulating her home and garden office for winter and seeking ways to keep warm when temperatures drop. As well as investing in a blanket hoodie, Lucy spent most of last winter wearing her HeatGen thermals and favourite slippers in order to stay cosy and comfortable when working from home, so she knows a thing or two about the best products for the job.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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