A gap of just a centimetre under a door can feel like an open window on a windy night. The cold air does not sit in the gap, it flows in at floor level and spreads around your feet. The good news is that this is one of the easiest draughts to fix, and there are several ways to do it.
1. A loose draught excluder
The classic. A tube of fabric lies against the bottom of the door on the inside. It costs little, needs no tools and works on any door. The downside is that it moves when the door does, so it suits doors that stay shut most of the time, such as a front door in the evening or a spare room. A heavier filling helps it stay put, which is why weighted fabric excluders are popular.
2. A twin-sided cover
A twin-sided excluder slides over the bottom edge of the door so there is a foam or fabric tube on each side. It moves with the door, so you never have to put it back. Check the door thickness against the product before buying, because the cover has to fit around it.
3. A self-adhesive silicone sweep
A flexible blade is stuck to the bottom of the door and rests lightly on the floor. It is nearly invisible, quick to fit and suits smooth floors. See the door bottom seals for options in several colours.
4. A screw-fixed brush strip
A row of bristles on a rigid carrier, fixed to the face of the door with screws. It copes with uneven floors and bigger gaps up to about 25mm, and the slots let you adjust the height afterwards. This is the usual choice for front doors in older houses.
5. A threshold or door bottom
A raised strip on the floor that the door closes onto, or a door bottom fitted to the base of the door. These are more permanent and are normally used on external doors that face the weather.
6. Fix the cause
If the gap has grown because the door has dropped, tightening or shimming the hinges can close it. A door that has sagged on its hinges will also rub on the frame, so it is worth checking while you are looking at the gap.
Choosing between them
Measure the gap first, as explained in our guide to measuring a door gap. Then pick the simplest fix that covers it: a loose excluder for a quick answer, a sweep for a tidy permanent one, a brush for a rough floor. Whichever you choose, the draught will drop noticeably once the gap is closed.
A note on safety
Never block a ventilation grille or an air brick to stop a draught, and keep fire doors fitted with their approved seals. If you are not sure whether a door is a fire door, ask your landlord or building control before drilling it.