A draft stopper is a simple but effective device that helps to seal gaps and cracks around doors and windows, preventing cold air from entering your home during the winter months. It can also help to keep warm air from escaping your home in the summer months.
How Does a Draft Stopper Work?
Draft stoppers work by creating a physical barrier between the cold air outside and the warm air inside your home. They typically come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are made from materials such as:
- Fabric: These are often filled with a material like sand or rice, which helps to weigh them down and keep them in place.
- Foam: This type of draft stopper can be easily cut to size and is often self-adhesive, making it easy to install.
- Silicone: Silicone draft stoppers are also self-adhesive and can be easily shaped to fit the contours of your doors and windows.
Types of Draft Stoppers
There are a number of different types of draft stoppers available, including:
- Door snakes: These are long, cylindrical draft stoppers that are placed at the bottom of doors to block cold air from entering.
- Window draft stoppers: These are smaller, rectangular draft stoppers that are placed around the edges of windows to seal gaps.
- Door sweeps: These are flexible strips of material that are attached to the bottom of doors and sweep across the floor to prevent drafts.
- Caulking: This is a semi-permanent solution that can be used to fill in gaps around doors and windows.
Benefits of Using a Draft Stopper
There are several benefits to using a draft stopper, including:
- Reduced energy bills: By preventing drafts, draft stoppers can help to reduce your heating costs in the winter and your cooling costs in the summer.
- Improved comfort: By preventing cold air from entering your home, draft stoppers can help to make your home more comfortable.
- Reduced noise: Draft stoppers can help to reduce noise pollution from outside.
- Easy to install: Most draft stoppers are very easy to install and do not require any special tools.
Choosing the Right Draft Stopper
When choosing a draft stopper, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The size and shape of the gap or crack: Make sure to choose a draft stopper that is the right size and shape for the gap or crack you are trying to seal.
- The material: Choose a draft stopper made from a material that is durable and easy to clean.
- The ease of installation: Choose a draft stopper that is easy to install and does not require any special tools.
Draft stoppers are a simple and affordable way to improve the energy efficiency of your home and make it more comfortable. By sealing gaps and cracks around doors and windows, you can prevent cold air from entering your home during the winter months and keep warm air from escaping in the summer months.