Curtain across the front door

[extinctspecies]

There is an icy wind currently blowing through the cracks around the front door, which opens directly into the dining room (although there is an open porch which provides some protection).

Traditional period farmhouse.

I think we need a curtain to go across it to keep the draught out - anyone got any good advice please?

You need a portiere rod.
Then the curtain can open back like a door.
Otherwise a standard pole wider than door so the curtains can be pulled clear.
Extra long is more effective but obviously gets dirty

Coming on to say portiere rod!

I have looked at portiere rods online but they only seem to cover the width of the door, and the curtains need to cover the edges.

Is a single curtain better than a pair?

I found a single curtain didn't cover the gaps and 2 curtains have enough material to push in to the sides. I just have a normal curtain rod with curtains made for doors, they are lined on the back with waterproof material. Think I got them in very and they were half price

They extend past door. I will see if can upload photo of ours - makes a massive difference to warmth in our draught hall.

A rail with curtain you can pull clear would be even better - if you have space for it? And can also guarantee the area it needs to pull in to is free of family clutter!

Ok that is not the most fascinating photo

Oh god - I'd completely forgotten this but we had a really annoying curtain (sans portiere rod) which would always get stuck over the door when someone forgot to pull it back all the way before opening the door.

It was the story of my life as a kid greeting visitors tangled in the curtain.

Definitely get the rod thing!

Thanks Greggs. Our door is recessed from the wall, so was thinking a normal curtain pole which goes straight across the recess might work better?

Could you pull the curtain free of the door that way? If so, I think a better bet as you can get nicer looking pole (esp if on display if you remove curtain in summer?) and also less moving parts to go wrong.

I just used an old curtain we already had from old house (and turned its sister in to draught excluder, as you can see). It was a cheapish ready made one, but chenille and lined so pretty warm - and just happened to fit ok. Hallway looks better than photo is real life, though probably won't make cover of House Beautiful

I bought a pair of curtains for a window then split them, one front door, one on the back door. I made sure they were generous on the width so that they helped to block any cracks.

Also if you can pull curtain free of door, you can use longer curtain to pool on floor and no draught excluder. Curtain on portiere rod has to clear floor as door opens.

Made a HUGE difference to warmth of house when I did this

We have a curtain pole that goes across the whole of the wall where the door is. The wall is about 2.5 feet wider than the door so the curtain hangs to one side when it is not in use.

The pole is suspended using recess brackets, so in the summer the whole thing can come down just leaving the brackets at ceiling height.

Ah. Good idea to use brackets so both pole & curtain can come down in summer.

Door recess is a funny shape, which is why I think curtain pole may be better than portiere.

Definitely a standard pole for that door, across the recess not in it.
Then curtain can extend well beyond the recess edges.
Maybe stain it to blend in with those lovely beams?

Get a good lined heavy curtain to put on there, will be amazing for the draughtiness, something like velvet or a similar weight. They make such a difference!

Could you put some draught proof on too.

We had a single curtain over the front door in our first home. A nice matching curtain.it made a massive difference to the heat of the hallway but getting a new door was actually milesbetter.