Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Fitting double-glazing film to your windows is a simple alternative to the much more expensive option of fitting UPVC or wood double-glazed windows and doors. Double-glazing film quite simply offers an insulating layer for draughty windows and therefore it also helps in saving on energy bills. Many people use this option just in the winter months because it is cheap and quick to apply, whilst still helping to keep the house warm. As far as DIY jobs go, it doesn’t get much easier. Double-glazing film is normally sold in kit form. read more »

Draught excluding isn’t confined to the edges of doors and windows, in fact two other places where draughts can be a problem are in the middle of a door – the letter box and the keyhole. Letter boxes have purpose made draught excluders that are simple to fit in place, and keyholes can be draught-proofed by fitting door escutcheons following the very simple procedure shown below. read more »

Front or back doors can be better draught-proofed simply by fitting draught excluders around the door frame. Because most front doors open inwards, these excluder strips are normally positioned on the outside frame. Designs vary, the one shown below is basically made of a metal strip that holds a rubber seal which fits tightly against the door when it is in a closed position – therefore stopping any draughts from entering the house. read more »

Something as simple as fitting a brush draught excluder can make a big difference in keeping a room much warmer. They are relatively inexpensive and can be fitted in a matter of minutes. Brush draught excluders are most commonly fitted along the bottom of a door, as shown below, but there are also self-adhesive draught excluders that are effective around the frame of a door or window opening, as well as other designs that are commonly fitted around the frame of an exterior door. read more »

Insulating your loft correctly will not only save you money on your heating bills but also help the environment. The regulation depth for blanket insulation is around 30cm. A good approach is therefore to lay 15cm of insulation between the joists and a further 15cm layer across the top of the joists. To estimate the quantity you require, divide the loft area (in square metres) by the area of one roll, which should be marked on the roll packaging. However, you must check the depth of the rolls you are buying as blanket insulation can be sold in 5cm, 10cm and 15cm depths. read more »