Start Strong with a Perfect Frame Fit

If you’re getting new doors and windows fitted, or trying to get the most from your existing ones, then you’ll need to think about thermal performance. When there are gaps around the edges of the aperture, cold air will find its way in – and even a small amount of heat loss can lead to substantial losses over time.

So, how can this be avoided?

Ensure a Tight Door Frame Fit

Every new door should be installed into a frame that fits snugly into the aperture. It should be level and square. A fraction of a degree of misalignment can cause a large gap at the other end of the door frame – and this, in turn, can lead to a major draft.

Seal All Gaps Properly

Of course, however well the door fits, there are always going to be small gaps around the edges. After all, the surrounding brickwork, timber, or plasterboard, is never going to be perfectly smooth.

You can use sealant and expanding foam to deal with this problem. It will ensure that air is unable to move from one side of the door to the other. Once the material has hardened, it can be trimmed to prevent heat from escaping.

Install Quality Weatherstripping

As well as the exterior of the frame, we should also concern ourselves with the edges of the door. This is where gaps are most likely to form. Gaps around the tops and sides of the door are likeliest, and they can often be addressed with the help of the right compressible weatherstripping.

Choose an Insulated Front Door

Your front door is among the most important investments you’ll make in your home. A good one should be able to effectively retain heat, as well as look the part and bolster your kerb appeal.

Modern UPVC doors tend to be a great option, not just for the front of the house, but for the patio and garden-facing doors, too. They retain heat, they’re highly durable, and they don’t need to be refinished and maintained in the same way as the timber alternatives.

Fit a Proper Threshold and Door Sweep

One other area of the door worth looking at is the bottom. This is a part of the door that’s often overlooked, but if you seal it properly, you’ll gain a substantial improvement in insulation. During winter, laying a draught excluder along the foot of the door can be helpful.

You might also elect to install a door sweep – which basically amounts to a long brush that sits at the bottom of the door, allowing for it to be open and closed, but still preventing air from moving from one side to the other.