DIY Fact Sheet DIYSeal Fact Sheet DIY fact sheet your doors and windows to
Seal your doors and windows Seal your doors to and windows reduce draughts reduce draughts to reduce draughts Air leakage through gaps around Air leakage through doors and windows gaps around doors and Air leakage through is a major cause of windows is a major gaps energy around doors andcause wastage. In of energy wastage. In winter, windows is a major cause winter, draughts can draughts can increase increase household of energy wastage. In winter, household heating heating costs costs draughts can increase by up by uptoto25%. 25%. household heating costs by up to 25%.
Figure 1
A
ir leakage through gaps around doors and windows is a major cause of energy wastage. In winter, draughts can increase household heating costs by up to 25%. Doors require draught proofing at their base and between Figure 1 the door and frame. Windows should be draught proofed where an openable part meets the around frame. doors and windows is a major cause of Air leakage through gaps
A
Figure1.2 Figure
ir leakage through gaps around doors and windows is a major cause of energy wastage. In winter, draughts can increase household heating costs Although anddraughts draughts can waste energy, it is important to keepcosts your home venenergy wastage. In gaps winter, increase household heating by up to 25%. Doors require draught proofing at their base and between tilated to some degree to maintain a healthy environment. completely air-tight by up to 25%. Doors require draught proofing at their base andAbetween the door and frame. Windows shouldasbe draught proofed necessary where an to openable part internal air home is not desirable some ventilation replacepart used the door and frame. Windows should be draught proofediswhere an openable Figure 2 that containsgaps odours, carbon dioxide andenergy, contaminants. Note: Homes heated meets the frame. Although and draughts waste it is important to keep yourby meets the frame. gas heaterstorequire a level of fixedenvironment. ventilation. When draught proofing, it is home ventilatedunflued to some degree maintain a healthy A completely airimportant to ensure you allow for this requirement. tight home is not desirable as some ventilation is necessary to replace used internal air Although gaps and draughts waste energy, it is important to keep your home venthat contains carbon dioxide and contaminants. Note: Homes heated by tilated to some odours, degree to maintain a healthy environment. A completely air-tight What you need unflued gas heaters require a level of fixed ventilation. When draught proofing, ittoisdraughthome is not desirable as some ventilation is necessary to replace used internal There are many cost-effective, easy to install items that you can use air that containstoodours, carbon dioxide and contaminants. Note: Homes heated by important ensure you allow for this requirement. proof your doors. These are available from your local hardware store or on-line: unflued gas heaters require a level draught proofing, it is and > Door snakes (FIGof 2).fixed Theseventilation. are availableWhen as single or double sided snakes What you need can fittedfor manually. important to ensure youbeallow this requirement.
Door sweeps or draught excluders (FIG 3). These need to be permanently There are many >cost-effective, easy to install items that you can use to draughtproof Figure Figure2.3 attached to doors or door frames. They may need to be cut to size and in some What youThese need your doors. are available from your local hardware store or on-line: There are many cost-effective, easy to install items that you can use to draughtnn Door snakes (FIG 1). These are available as single or double sided snakes and can be proof your doors. These are available from your local hardware store or on-line: fitted manually. > Door snakes (FIG 2). These are available as single or double sided snakes and nn Door sweeps or draught excluders (FIG 2). These need to be permanently attached can be fitted manually. to doors or door frames. They may need to be cut to size in some cases require > Door sweeps or draught excluders (FIG 3). These need to beand permanently Figure 3 the use power attached to of doors or tools. door frames. They may need to be cut to size and in some nn
Air leakage through gaps around doors and windows is a major cause of energy wastage. In winter, draughts can increase household heating costs by up to 25%.
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Weather stripping (FIG 3). Rubber, foam or brush strips are available with a selfadhesive backing. Ensure you get a thickness and colour that is suitable for your doors and windows.
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Caulking compounds or sealants and a sealant gun (FIG 4).
cases require the use of power tools.
How to install > Weather stripping (FIG 4). Rubber, foam or brush strips are available with a Ensure you get a thickness and colour that is suitable Doorself-adhesive and windowbacking. frames weather stripping: for your doors and windows. 1. > Choose appropriateor type of weather For (FIG door 5). and window joins which Caulkingancompounds sealants and astripping. sealant gun close directly onto the frame, you should use foam or rubber seals.
install 2. How Whento closed, these will compress and create a seal. For sliding doors and sash Door and window frames stripping: windows which close byweather running past the frame, you should use brush seals. 1. Foam Choose an appropriate type of weather stripping. Forcase. doorBefore and window and rubber seals are generally not suitable in this sealingjoins your which close directly onto the frame, you should use foam or rubber seals. door and window frames, ensure that all surfaces are clean. When closed, these will compress and create a seal. For sliding doors and sash windows closerubber by running paststrips the frame, you should use brush 3. Measure and cutwhich the foam, or brush to the lengths required. seals. Foam and rubber seals are generally not suitable in this case. 4. Align the strip correctly then carefully stick them onto the frame. 2. Before sealing your door and window frames, ensure that all surfaces are 5. Ifclean. the door or window does not close properly, or if the strips interfere with the 3. hinges, Measure and the until foam, rubber brush trim thecut strips you have or a snug fit.strips to the lengths required. 4. Align the strip correctly then carefully stick them onto the frame. Door bottom seals: 5. If the door or window does not close properly, or if the strips interfere with the hinges, the strips until have of a snug fit. To block draughts trim that pass through theyou bottom your doors, simply lay a
Figure Figure 3.4
door snake down or attach a rubber door seal to the base of the door. For some Door bottom seals: doors, these seals which ‘sweep’ behind the door will not work and a ‘threshold’ To block draughts that pass through the bottom of your doors, simply lay a seal is required. Threshold seals are installed at the base of the door frame, door snake down or attach a rubber door seal to the base of the door. For some with the door onto the devicebehind to create seal. doors, theseclosing seals which ‘sweep’ thethe door will not work and a ‘threshold’ sealinisconstruction: required. Threshold seals are installed at the base of the door frame, Gaps with the door closing onto the device to create the seal. You can seal uneven cracks and gaps around windows (both inside or outside your home) by using permanent fillers such as caulking compounds or sealants. Gaps in construction: When sealants beand suregaps to wear gloves and a (both face mask. the You working can sealwith uneven cracks around windows insideInsert or outside your home) bythe using permanent fillers such cover as caulking compounds or sealants. sealant tube into sealant gun then carefully the entire gap or crack When working with sealants be sure to wear gloves and a face mask. Insert the and neaten as required. sealant tube into the sealant gun then carefully cover the entire gap or crack and neaten as required.
Resources General Sustainability Resources Victoria: Energy Smart Housing Manual: http://www.sustainability.vic. gov.au/www/html/1823-publications---c-f.asp General Sustainability Victoria: Energy Smart Housing Manual: http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/
Specific www/html/1823-publications---c-f.asp Example double sided excluder: http://www.topbuy.com.au/tbcart/pc/ NABERSofpublications link:draught http://nabers.com.au/page.aspx?cid=567&site=3 Double-Sided-Draught-Excluder-Draft-Stopper-Easy-to-Fit-Saving-Your-HeatingSpecific Cost-p91594.htm Draught proofing a door: http://www.readersdigest.com.au/ Example of double sided draught excluder: http://www.topbuy.com.au/tbcart/pc/Double-Siddraught--proofing-a-door How to install weather stripping: http://www.bunnings. ed-Draught-Excluder-Draft-Stopper-Easy-to-Fit-Saving-Your-Heating-Cost-p91594.htm com.au/learn-how-to-diy_diy-projectcentre_detail.aspx?id=87&categoryid=24 Draught proofing a door: http://www.readersdigest.com.au/draught--proofing-a-door How to install weather stripping: http://www.bunnings.com.au/learn-how-to-diy_diy-projectcentre_detail.aspx?id=87&categoryid=24 Prepared by Steplight on behalf of The Hills Shire Council. Reproduced with the permission of The Hills Shire Council.
Figure Figure 4.5
Homes heated by unflued gas heaters require a level of fixed ventilation. When Homes heatedit is draught proofing, byimportant unflued gas toheaters ensure you allow require a levelfor of this fixed requirement. ventilation. When draught proofing, it is important to ensure you allow for this requirement.