Window and Door Draught Solutions to Keep Everyone Warm

Simple Ways to Stop Draughts: Rubber Seals or a DIY Door Snake 

A draughty front door can make your home feel colder, let dust inside, and increase heating costs. The good news is you don’t need a major renovation to fix it. Two practical, and affordable options can make a noticeable difference straight away. 

This guide walks you through rubber seals options, and how to make your own DIY door snake. This guide is to help you decide what suits your home and budget best. 

Why are your Windows and Doors letting in draughts? 

Before choosing a solution, it helps to understand the problem. Most draughts around front doors come from: 

• Small gaps along the sides or top of the door 

• A larger gap at the bottom (commonly found on older doors) 

• Slight warping in the door or frame over time 

• Worn-out or missing seals 

Even a narrow gap can let in a surprising amount of cold air. Fixing it is less about sealing everything perfectly and more about reducing airflow in the simplest, most effective way. 

Option 1: Rubber seals (adhesive foam tape) 

Rubber seals are one of the easiest and most effective ways to block draughts around the edges of your door. They’re designed to fill small gaps between the door and the frame, creating a barrier against air movement. 

How adhesive foam tape works 

Adhesive foam tape is applied directly to the door frame. When the door closes, it presses lightly against the foam, sealing the gap. 

It’s a popular option because: 

• It’s quick and easy to install 

• It doesn’t require tools beyond scissors 

• It creates a more consistent seal than loose solutions 

You can explore suitable options here

When rubber seals are the right choice 

Rubber seals are ideal if: 

• You feel draughts coming from the sides or top of the door 

• The gaps are small and fairly even 

• You want a longer-term solution 

• You prefer something that stays in place without adjustment 

They’re less effective for large gaps under the door, where a different approach works better such as creating a door snake. You can find the crumb foam that you will need for a door snake instore and on our website. 

Keep reading this blog to find a step-by-step guide on how to make your own door snake. 

Simple installation steps 

You don’t need to be particularly handy to install foam tape. A basic approach looks like this: 

Clean the surface
Make sure the door frame is dry and free from dust so the adhesive sticks properly. 

Measure the edges
Cut the foam tape to match the height and width of the frame. 

Peel and stick
Apply the tape along the frame where the door meets it. 

Test the seal
Close the door and check for resistance. You want a snug fit, not a struggle to shut it. 

Practical benefits 

Helps maintain indoor temperature 

Reduces outside noise 

Keeps out dust and insects 

Low-maintenance once installed 

Option 2: A DIY door snake 

If your main issue is a draught coming from underneath the door, a door snake is a simple and flexible solution. 

A door snake sits along the base of the door, blocking airflow through the gap at floor level. 

Why a DIY option works well 

You can make a door snake yourself using materials that are easy to work with and readily available. 

One option is crumbed foam, which is commonly used as a filling material because it’s soft, lightweight, and easy to shape. 

Here’s a suitable product for this purpose.

When a door snake makes more sense 

A DIY door snake is a good choice if: 

• The draught is mainly coming from the bottom of the door 

• The gap is larger or uneven 

• You want something removable or adjustable 

• You prefer a no-installation solution 

It’s especially useful for renters or anyone who doesn’t want to modify the door frame. 

How to make a simple door snake 

You don’t need many materials: 

• Fabric (an old towel, curtain, or sturdy cloth) 

• Filling (crumbed foam works well) 

• Scissors 

• Needle and thread or fabric glue 

Basic steps: 

1. Cut your fabric
Cut your chosen fabric into a long rectangle approximately 10–15 cm wide and around 90 cm long. Be sure to measure the width of your door first, so the snake will fit nicely across the base of the door with no gaps. 

2. Sew or glue two sides
Fold the long rectangle in half so the width becomes 5–7.5 cm on each side. Sew or glue one end, and the long 90cm side. Once finished sewing or glue has dried, pull the tube inside out to hide the raw edges and to create a tube shape. 

3. Fill with foam
Add enough filling to make it firm but flexible. 

4. Sew or glue the remaining end
Sew or glue the open side closed. To hide the raw edges, you can fold the material inwards by 0.5cm before sewing along the top, or glueing in between.  

5. Place along the door base
Position it snugly against the gap. Congratulations! You have made a door snake.  

Extra tip! 

If you would like to personalise your door snake, you can create a stripy door snake by using multiple strips of fabric and sewing/glueing it together starting. Your door snake can be practical and stylish all at once. 

Practical benefits of making a door snake 

• Quick and low-cost to make 

• Easy to remove or reposition 

• Works well for larger gaps 

• Can be customised to match your space 

• Can be personalised to match your style 

Things to consider 

• Needs repositioning if moved 

• Doesn’t seal side gaps 

Rubber seals vs. door snake: which should you choose? 

Both options solve the same problem in different ways. Choosing between them depends on where the draught is coming from and how permanent you want the fix to be. 

Choose rubber seals if: 

• The draught is around the edges of the door 

• You want a set-and-forget solution 

• You prefer a cleaner, less visible fix 

Choose a door snake if: 

• The draught is coming from under the door 

• The gap is too large for sealing tape 

• You want something that can be moved and adjusted 

In many cases, you’ll get the best result by using both 

It’s common for draughts to come from multiple points. Combining both methods can give you a more complete solution: 

• Foam tape for the sides and top 

• Door snake for the bottom 

This approach helps reduce airflow from all angles without overcomplicating the fix. 

Common questions from shoppers 

“How do I know where the draught is coming from?” 

A simple way is to run your hand slowly around the edges of the door on a windy day. You can also use a thin piece of tissue. If the tissue moves, there’s airflow. 

“Will this completely stop the draught?” 

These solutions significantly reduce draughts, but the result depends on how well they match your door’s condition. Large structural gaps or warped doors may need additional work. Visit your local Clark Rubber store to speak to one of our experts about other rubber seal alternatives for large gaps and warped doors.  

“Will foam tape damage my door frame?”