StopGap Floorboard Draught Excluder - Brown

Product Information

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 After searching locally and online, I found that none of the existing solutions were up to the job. The DIY options were messy and time-consuming, and the commercial products used permanent adhesives or sealants. Inspired, I started developing StopGap until I created a product good enough for my own home. The first thing to assess when considering whether to draught-proof your floorboards is what the required finish is. For example the methods used to draught-proof floorboards under a carpet are different to those used to draught-proof stripped floorboards. It should be noted that even though carpet will help with draught-proofing, it is not 100% effective, and additional measures can still help. How do I draught-proof stripped floorboards? If you are renting your home, it has to be fit for habitation and it’s your landlord’s responsibility to ensure this. If your house is too cold (or swelteringly hot) or damp, then this is a danger to your health and the landlord must make necessary repairs.

Cut draughts with ‘snake’ draught excluders (photo, right), or similar strips of material (see over). Note that this should only be a temporary measure – while you’re trying to keep warm. Airflow between rooms is good for a home as it reduces the risk of moist air getting trapped in a particular rooms. I created StopGap to fill a gap in the market when I found my newly redecorated Edwardian home was colder and draughtier than before. When I realised it was all down to the cold air coming from the gaps in the floorboards I thought finding an effective filler would be easy, but I was wrong. 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.Controlled ventilation will reduce condensation, maintain a healthy atmosphere and prevent damp and mould growth by letting in air where it is needed. Draughts, however, let in too much air in the wrong place at the wrong time, making draught proofing the cheapest and most effective way to save energy, and money, especially in older buildings How to Draught Proof Your Home 1. Draught Proofing Doors

It’s important to strike the right balance between humidification and ventilation. This can be hard when your windows and doors are tightly shut to insulate your home. Read on to find out what you can do in your own home – from filling in gaps around pipes to insulating your loft hatch. Plus, learn how to keep warm air in without compromising on ventilation. Draught proofing costs and savingsChimney draught excluders are available from most DIY stores. Plastic bags stuffed with other plastic bags also work – but remember to remove it in summer to let the air circulate. STOP THE PRESS! StopGap was chosen once again by The Guardian as one of the best ways to protect your home from the cold. Underlay could help improve the lifespan of your carpet by up to 50%, too, according to Carpetright. Make sure you get the right product for your flooring. And be aware that underfloor heating may not work efficiently if you install an underlay. 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.

Don’t be put off restoring an original wood floor by the prospect of cold rooms, high heating bills and constant draughts; with StopGap you can experience the joys of real wood floors with none of the downsides.Draughty homes are uncomfortable. It’s also a waste of money if the heat that you’ve paid for escapes through gaps and cold air comes whistling in from outside. The good news is that draught-proofing is easy and our DIY draught-proofing guide will help you plug those gaps and stay cosy at home. Gaps in floorboards themselves is pretty minimal as it's (nasty) chipboard panels and the underlay and carpet should help there. 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 Uninsulated homes lose a quarter of their heat through the roof, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Knowing how to insulate your home is the first step to stopping this and especially insulating your roof and loft.

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. Choosing a new front door is another avenue to consider. 5. Add draught-proofing strips to windows and doors Tim is an expert in sustainable building methods and energy efficiency in residential homes and writes on the subject for magazines and national newspapers. He is the author of The Sustainable Building Bible, Simply Sustainable Homes and Anaerobic Digestion - Making Biogas - Making Energy: The Earthscan Expert Guide.For other ways to save, head to our guide on how to save on your energy bill. Draught proofing tips for renters Even if you're eager to draught proof your whole home, it’s important not to completely seal your property. There needs to be some air flowing in and out. Fill in any holes around pipes that lead to a loft or outside, such as extraction pipes on your white goods. Silicone filler should be fine for small gaps, while larger gaps might require expanding polyurethane foam. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today (Wednesday 22 November) announced a range of tax, benefits and savings measures. We round up the key announcements and what they mean for you.