Designing a Draught-Free Home: Key Measures to Consider When Building

Whilst Draught Fix primarily deals with retrofitting high-quality draught proofing solutions to older and existing homes, it’s useful to consider how you’d go about it if you were building from scratch.

When building a new home, one of the most important aspects of creating a comfortable, energy-efficient living space is considering how to manage airflow and seal draughts. Draughts, or unwanted air leaks, can significantly impact the thermal performance of your home, leading to higher energy bills and reduced comfort. The good news is that with proper planning and design, draught proofing can be incorporated into the construction process itself, saving you money in the long run and ensuring that your home stays warm in winter and cool in summer.

In this article, we’ll explore the best draught proofing measures to consider when building a new home, helping you create a home that is energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and comfortable all year round.

Plan for Proper Insulation

While insulation isn’t technically part of draught proofing, it is a key player in preventing air leaks. Effective insulation in the walls, roof, and floors creates a thermal barrier that helps prevent heat loss and gain, complementing your draught proofing efforts.

When planning your new build, focus on using high-quality insulation materials that suit your climate. Look for products with a high R-value, which indicates better thermal resistance. Ensure that insulation is installed seamlessly, particularly around windows, doors, and corners, where air leaks often occur.

To create a highly efficient home, don’t just focus on the walls. Insulating the roof or ceiling and the floor will also prevent draughts from entering your living space. An airtight home, with all insulation sealed correctly, will make it much easier to manage air flow and reduce the strain on your heating and cooling systems.

Install High-Performance Windows and Doors

One of the main sources of draughts in a home is the gaps around windows and doors. During the construction phase, opt for high-performance, energy-efficient windows and doors. These should have features such as double glazing, low-E coatings, and thermally broken frames, which help to keep warm air inside and cool air out.

For doors, consider installing solid-core, insulated models, which offer better performance compared to hollow-core or less energy-efficient options. Pay attention to door placement—ensure they are aligned properly and don’t leave gaps at the bottom or around the sides. If gaps do exist, they can be sealed with weatherstripping during installation.

It’s also important to plan the positioning of your windows and doors to maximise natural light while reducing the risk of draughts. For example, avoid placing windows directly across from each other in a way that could allow wind to blow through the house. Instead, carefully consider the orientation of your home to avoid drafts from cold winds while still benefiting from the sun’s warmth during winter.

Use Quality Weatherstripping and Sealing Materials

Sealing all gaps, cracks, and joints in the structure of your home is essential to draught proofing. During construction, make sure your builder uses high-quality weatherstripping and sealing materials around windows, doors, and any other openings, such as electrical outlets, vents, and exhaust fans.

Materials such as foam, silicone sealant, or caulk can be used to seal gaps and joints. For larger gaps, consider using weatherstripping to create a tight seal. Weatherstripping is typically made from materials like rubber, felt, or vinyl and can be applied around doorframes and window sashes to ensure a snug fit.

Properly sealing the building envelope will help reduce air leakage and improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. Keep in mind that different parts of your home will require different types of sealing solutions. For example, caulking around windows and doors is ideal for smaller gaps, while door sweeps and weatherstripping are better suited for sealing gaps along the bottom of doors.

Consider the Airflow with Mechanical Ventilation

An important consideration when draught proofing your new home is ensuring that you maintain adequate airflow to avoid issues with indoor air quality. While sealing your home to prevent draughts is crucial for energy efficiency, it’s also essential to avoid creating a situation where the home becomes too airtight, which can trap moisture and pollutants.

One solution to this is mechanical ventilation, which can help regulate indoor air quality by introducing fresh air without compromising the thermal efficiency of the home. Consider installing a balanced ventilation system, such as a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system, which exchanges indoor air with fresh outdoor air while also recovering heat from the outgoing air to preheat incoming air. This ensures that your home stays comfortable without sacrificing energy efficiency.

If installing a full ventilation system isn’t an option, consider adding trickle vents to windows or installing an exhaust fan in areas like bathrooms and kitchens to keep air circulating. These systems help keep the indoor air fresh while maintaining the benefits of your draught proofing.

Focus on Gaps and Cavities Around Pipes and Cables

One often-overlooked area when building a home is the space around pipes, cables, and ducts that penetrate walls and ceilings. These areas are often left untreated and can allow significant airflow into the home. When designing your new home, make sure to seal around these penetrations to prevent air leaks.

For example, use expandable foam or caulk to seal gaps around plumbing pipes, electrical cables, or ducts that pass through exterior walls or ceilings. Pay close attention to the space around exhaust vents, flues, and air conditioning units, as these can also be major sources of draughts.

Incorporate Draught Proofing Into the Building Design

When designing your new home, consider the layout and materials you use. For example, minimise open-plan designs that may require larger openings to allow for airflow, as these can contribute to draughts. Opt for smaller, more intimate spaces that are easier to seal.

Additionally, consider using high-quality materials with natural insulating properties, such as timber or masonry, which help resist heat loss and can reduce the overall need for additional draught proofing measures. When working with your architect or builder, take the time to discuss how the materials and design choices can work together to reduce air leakage while maintaining comfort.

Conclusion

Draught proofing is an essential part of building an energy-efficient, comfortable home. When you design a new home with draught proofing in mind, you ensure that the building will perform well in terms of thermal efficiency, comfort, and sustainability.

By selecting high-quality windows and doors, sealing all gaps and cracks, ensuring proper ventilation, and paying attention to airflow around pipes and cables, you can create a home that is not only draught-free but also energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Best of all, these measures can save you money in the long run by reducing energy bills, lowering your carbon footprint, and enhancing the value of your home.