Have you noticed a chill in your converted loft room?
Unfortunately, draughts in a loft conversion are a common issue, and if the space is being used as a bedroom, these can quickly make the space difficult to inhabit during the cooler months.
Luckily, there are many options to solve this problem, many of which don’t require massive renovations. Below, you will be guided through the easiest ways to resolve that annoying draught.
Draught Proof Doors
A common area where draughts can get into a converted loft room is via the door. Often, there is a gap under or around the door that is letting in cold air. This gap can make the space uncomfortable.
Luckily, specialist retailers such as Hiatt Hardware have everything you need to draught-proof internal doors, such as strip draught seals. These handy seals can go on the bottom or around the door. They also have brush seals, which are ideal for the bottom of doors. Furthermore, if there is a keyhole in the door that is letting in a draught, you can look into an escutcheon plate with a cover. This will cover the keyhole when it is not in use and prevent chilly air from entering the room.
Window Strips
If the draught persists, you need to inspect the windows, if the converted room has them.
Inadequate or old sealant used to secure the windows can cause draughts. Much like the door, you can choose stick-on window strips. If there is a noticeable gap in the sealant, it is worth looking into buying some window sealant caulk, which can be used to patch the gaps. In the case of water damage due to improper condensation management, you may need to remove all the rubber sealant from around the window edge and reapply a fresh layer.
Upgrade Insulation
As this is a converted loft, it is possible that the installed insulation may not be sufficient.
An insulation upgrade can help, and the most popular insulation for loft rooms includes mineral wool, which is a non-combustible substance that is affordable. PIR (Polyisocyanurate) Boards are ideal if you don’t want to sacrifice any more headspace. These are great for both walls and sloping ceilings, which are a common feature in most loft conversions.
Skirting and Floor Boards
Now that the roof has been explored, it’s time to look at the floor and the skirting boards.
These are often overlooked as areas where cold air can enter a loft conversion. If the draught persists after an insulation upgrade and additional caulk to the windows, it’s time to assess these areas for gaps.
You can fill any gaps between the floorboards with an acrylic sealant or a decorator caulk. This is paintable, so you don’t have to lay a carpet to cover it up.
If the draught is due to a noticeable gap in the floorboards, then it’s worth getting some expanding foam, which can also go underneath skirting boards. Just be minimal with this application, as a little goes a long way!