How to draught-proof sliding sash windows

Draught proofing your house is the cheapest way to increase its efficiency. Here we take a look at how to draught proof sash windows.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

• Dust sheet
• Knife
• Paint scraper
• Pencil
• Pliers
• Brush seal
• Spring or V-strip
• Scissors
• Nails
• Hammer
• Crowbar

The steps to follow

1. Cover your work area with a dust sheet.
2. Measure the surface of the sash window you plan to draught proof. Based on this measurement, buy a draught-proofing kit from your local DIY shop.
3. With a crowbar, carefully prise off the staff and parting beads  from the middle of the sash window. Be careful not to break the beads.
4. Remove the upper and lower sashes. (Refer to "How to re-cord sash windows?" for tips on removing the sashes.)
5. Clean the inside of the window, make sure that the surface is free of dust and debris. Doing this will allow adhesive to bond well to the surface.
6. When the inside of the sash window is exposed, you can install draught proofing brush seal to the two sides of the sash cords.
7. With a pair of scissors, cut the brush seal to the desired size
8. Place the brush seal on the inside of the window frame and secure it with nails.
9. To draught proof the central part of the sash window, you can seal it with a spring or V-strip.
10. Cut the spring or V-strip to the required size and remove the adhesive backing from the strip.
11. Place it on the top and bottom of the central meeting rails and press down firmly.
12. For any gaps around the meeting rails, you can seal it with clear liquid sealer.
13. Re-cord the sash windows (Refer to "How to re-cord sash windows?") and check that the window can run smoothly.
14. Replace the staff and parting beads.

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• How to fit / replace windows
• How to fix a jammed window

Don't want to DIY? Get recommended window specialists for your home improvement job.