Best Draught Excluder for Windows UK (2026): Top 5 We'd Buy
Stick-on strips, brush strips for sash windows, uPVC replacement seals and insulation film for single glazing
Quick answer
- Best overallStormguard Rubber E Profile Strip – long life rubber for 1 to 3mm gaps
- Best budgettesa Insulation M Foam Strip – cheap foam for 1 to 5mm gaps
- Best for sash and sliding windowsStormguard Brush Pile Strip – brush strips suit sliding windows
- Best for worn uPVC sealsStormguard uPVC Replacement Seal – pushes into the old groove
- Best for single glazingDuck MAX Window Insulation Kit – clear film you take down in spring
The best draught excluder for windows UK homes can buy, for most windows that open on hinges, is the Stormguard 10m rubber E profile strip. It sticks round the frame, seals gaps of 1 to 3mm and costs only a few pounds. For sash or sliding windows, use a brush strip instead, and for old single glazing, add insulation film.
The trick is matching the strip to the gap. The Energy Saving Trust says a strip that is too big gets crushed and can stop the window closing, and one that is too small leaves a gap. Below we help you pick by window type and gap size, then compare five Amazon UK picks. This guide is part of our best draught excluders UK guide. For doors, see our best draught excluder for wooden doors UK and best letterbox draught excluder UK guides. For heat lost through the glass at night, see our best thermal curtains UK picks, and to see what sealing your windows could save, try our draught-proofing savings calculator. We have not tested these ourselves.
Editor's Choice
Stormguard 10m Rubber E Profile Draught Excluder (White)
Our top pick for hinged windows with small gaps. Rubber lasts longer than foam, and it costs only a few pounds.
Diagnose your problem
How to Choose a Draught Excluder for Windows
Four quick questions to find the right one.
Problem
What kind of window is it?
Does it open on hinges, or slide up and down or side to side?
Recommendation
Hinged (casement) windows: a rubber or foam strip round the frame, such as the Stormguard E profile or tesa foam. Sash or sliding windows: a brush strip, as the Energy Saving Trust says foam strips do not work well on sash windows.
Products
Problem
How big is the gap when the window is shut?
Look for daylight and feel for moving air round the edges on a windy day.
Recommendation
Small gaps of 1 to 3mm: the Stormguard E profile rubber strip. Gaps up to 5mm: the tesa foam strip (1 to 5mm) or the Stormguard brush strip (3 to 5mm). A strip that is too thick will stop the window closing.
Products
Problem
Is it a uPVC window with a worn rubber seal?
The black rubber round the opening part looks flat, cracked, shrunk or is coming loose.
Recommendation
Replace the seal rather than sticking foam on top. The Stormguard uPVC seal pushes into the old groove. Check your groove is 3.2 to 4mm wide and compare your seal with the diagram on the listing first.
Products
Problem
Is it old single glazing that still feels cold?
The glass itself feels icy, or the window rattles and you rarely open it in winter.
Recommendation
Add clear insulation film over the inside of the frame for winter, then take it down in spring. The Duck MAX kit covers up to five 3 x 5 foot windows. Thermal curtains help at night too.
Products
Quick Picks
The right window draught fix for each kind of window
Our Top 5 Picks
Compare all
Stormguard
Stormguard 10m Rubber E Profile Draught Excluder (White)
“Our top pick for hinged windows with small gaps. Rubber lasts longer than foam, and it costs only a few pounds.”
Best for
Hinged windows with small gaps round the frame
Skip it if
You have sash or sliding windows, or gaps bigger than 3mm.
Pros
- +Long life rubber (listing says), not foam
- +10m roll covers several windows
- +Self-adhesive, no screws or tools beyond scissors
- +White, so it blends into most frames
Cons
- −Only for small gaps of 1 to 3mm
- −Not the best choice for sliding sash windows
- −Adhesive needs a clean, dry frame to stick well
All specifications
| Style | Rubber E profile strip |
| Gap Size | 1 to 3mm |
| Length | 10m |
| Fitting | Self-adhesive |
tesa
tesa Insulation M Foam Sealing Tape, 6m (White)
“The cheapest quick fix, and it covers a wider range of gap sizes than the rubber strip. Expect to replace it after a couple of winters.”
Best for
A cheap winter fix for hinged windows, including rentals
Skip it if
You want something that lasts many years, or you have sash windows.
Pros
- +Low price
- +Covers gaps from 1 to 5mm
- +Only scissors needed
- +Easy to remove, good for renters
Cons
- −Foam does not last as long as rubber, up to 2 years (listing says)
- −Only 6m in the pack
- −Not suited to sash windows
All specifications
| Style | Foam strip |
| Gap Size | 1 to 5mm |
| Length | 6m |
| Fitting | Self-adhesive |
Stormguard
Stormguard 5m Self-Adhesive Brush Pile Draught Excluder (Grey)
“The pick for sash and sliding windows. The Energy Saving Trust says foam strips do not work well on sash windows and brush strips are best.”
Best for
Sliding sash windows and sliding windows with 3 to 5mm gaps
Skip it if
Your gaps are under 3mm, or the window opens on hinges and a rubber strip would fit.
Pros
- +Brush pile lets sliding windows move past it
- +Seals bigger gaps of 3 to 5mm
- +Self-adhesive and cut to size
- +Low price
Cons
- −Only 5m in the pack, so you may need more than one
- −Not for small gaps under 3mm
- −Very loose or rattly sash windows may need a professional
All specifications
| Style | Brush pile strip |
| Gap Size | 3 to 5mm |
| Length | 5m |
| Fitting | Self-adhesive |
Stormguard
Stormguard 25m uPVC Door and Window Replacement Seal (Black)
“If your uPVC windows are draughty because the old rubber has gone flat or cracked, this replaces it properly. Check the diagram on the listing against your seal first.”
Best for
uPVC windows and doors with worn, flat or cracked rubber seals
Skip it if
Your windows are wooden or metal, or your groove size does not match the listing diagram.
Pros
- +Replaces worn uPVC seals rather than covering them
- +25m roll does many windows
- +Push-fit into the groove, no glue
- +Strong UK rating with thousands of reviews
Cons
- −Only fits grooves 3.2 to 4mm wide
- −Not for the seal between the frame and the glass
- −You have to pull out the old seal first
All specifications
| Style | uPVC bubble gasket |
| Gap Size | 3 to 5mm |
| Length | 25m |
| Fitting | Push into groove |
Duck
Duck MAX Strength Window Insulation Kit (Up to 5 Windows)
“A cheap winter fix for draughty single glazing or windows you do not open. It is a temporary layer, not a replacement for double glazing.”
Best for
Old single glazing and windows you keep shut all winter
Skip it if
You need to open the window, or it is an escape route in a fire.
Pros
- +Covers the whole window, not just the edges
- +Enough for up to five standard windows (listing says)
- +Clear, so you can still see out
- +Comes off at the end of winter
Cons
- −You cannot open the window while the film is up
- −Needs a hairdryer and a careful hand to fit neatly
- −Tape can lift paint when removed
- −Sizes are in inches and feet on the listing
All specifications
| Style | Shrink insulation film |
| Gap Size | Covers whole window |
| Length | 157 x 533cm roll |
| Fitting | Tape and hairdryer |
Compare All Products
Side-by-side specs for quick decision-making
Swipe to compare →
| Product | Style | Gap Size | Length | Fitting | Price | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber E profile strip | 1 to 3mm | 10m | Self-adhesive | £5–£8 | Hinged windows with small gaps round the frame | View | |
 | Foam strip | 1 to 5mm | 6m | Self-adhesive | £4–£6 | A cheap winter fix for hinged windows, including rentals | View |
 Stormguard 5m Self-Adhesive Brush Pile Draught Excluder (Grey)Best for Sash Windows | Brush pile strip | 3 to 5mm | 5m | Self-adhesive | £4–£6 | Sliding sash windows and sliding windows with 3 to 5mm gaps | View |
 Stormguard 25m uPVC Door and Window Replacement Seal (Black)Best for Worn uPVC Seals | uPVC bubble gasket | 3 to 5mm | 25m | Push into groove | £20–£25 | uPVC windows and doors with worn, flat or cracked rubber seals | View |
 Duck MAX Strength Window Insulation Kit (Up to 5 Windows)Best for Single Glazing | Shrink insulation film | Covers whole window | 157 x 533cm roll | Tape and hairdryer | £20–£25 | Old single glazing and windows you keep shut all winter | View |
Keep Vents Open and Escape Windows Usable
Draught proofing should only seal gaps you did not mean to have. Do not cover trickle vents, air bricks or wall vents, and the Energy Saving Trust says trickle vents should normally stay open. Rooms with an open fire, wood burner or gas appliance need their air supply, so if in doubt ask a Gas Safe registered engineer or a HETAS installer. Do not film over or seal shut a window you may need to escape through in a fire.
Research Methodology
How We Chose These Products
We have not tested these ourselves. This is desk research, so we have not fitted these strips or measured draughts before and after.
We read Amazon UK listings for window draught strips, uPVC seals and insulation film kits, Energy Saving Trust draught proofing advice, and verified UK buyer reviews about fit, adhesive and how long the strips last. We compared gap size, material, length and fitting. Prices and ratings are from Amazon UK on the day we checked. We never make up prices or test results.
Selection Criteria
Gap Size Fit
30% weightDoes the listing state which gap sizes it seals, so you can match it to your window?
Buyer Reviews
25% weightStar rating, number of reviews, and complaints about adhesive or the strip squashing flat
Easy DIY Fitting
20% weightSelf-adhesive or push-fit, with no special tools
Value for Money
15% weightPrice band compared with length and expected life
Renter Friendly
10% weightCan it be removed at the end of the winter or tenancy?
Important Limitations
- •We have not tested these ourselves
- •Gap sizes and life spans are maker claims from the listings
- •Self-adhesive strips can mark paint or pull off old finishes when removed
- •Badly warped or rotten frames need repair, not a strip
- •Price bands are rough, so always check the current Amazon UK price
Research last conducted: · Price bands checked:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about draught proofing windows in the UK
For most hinged windows with small gaps, we pick the Stormguard 10m rubber E profile strip. For a cheaper foam option, the tesa Insulation M strip covers 1 to 5mm gaps. For sash or sliding windows, use the Stormguard brush pile strip. For worn uPVC seals, use the Stormguard replacement seal, and for single glazing, the Duck MAX film kit.
For windows that open, the Energy Saving Trust suggests sticking draught proofing strips round the frame to fill the gap between the window and the frame. Foam strips are cheap and easy but may not last long. Brush or wiper strips last longer but cost a little more. For windows that never open, it suggests silicone sealant.
A brush strip. The Energy Saving Trust says foam strips do not work well on sliding sash windows, and it is best to fit brush strips or ask a professional. Our pick is the Stormguard brush pile strip for gaps of 3 to 5mm.
Check the gap with the window shut. Look for daylight and feel for moving air round the edges. Each listing says which gap sizes it seals, for example 1 to 3mm for the Stormguard rubber strip. The Energy Saving Trust warns that a strip that is too big gets crushed and can stop the window closing.
Film kits tape a clear layer over the inside of the frame, which stops draughts getting past the window and traps a layer of air in front of the glass. They are a cheap winter fix for single glazing or windows you keep shut. They are not a replacement for double glazing, and you cannot open the window while the film is up.
Draughty uPVC windows often have a worn rubber seal that has gone flat, shrunk or cracked. Replacing it with a push-in seal, like the Stormguard uPVC seal, usually works better than sticking foam on top. Check your groove width and seal shape first. If the seal looks fine, a window fitter may need to adjust the window.
The Energy Saving Trust says draught proofing windows, floors and doors could save around £55 a year in Great Britain and £80 in Northern Ireland. It does not give a figure for windows alone. Our draught-proofing savings calculator estimates a saving and payback for your home. Doing the front door too? A letterbox draught excluder is one of the cheapest extras.
Stick-on foam, rubber and brush strips and film kits are cheap and can be removed, but adhesive and tape can mark paint, so test a small patch and ask your landlord if unsure. Badly fitting or broken windows are usually your landlord’s job to repair.
Sealing unwanted gaps is fine, but your home still needs fresh air. The Energy Saving Trust says you should normally leave trickle vents open and never block vents. If you get condensation, open windows briefly, use extractor fans, and consider a dehumidifier.
They do different jobs, so many homes use both. Strips seal the gaps round the frame where cold air leaks in. Thermal curtains add a thick layer over the glass at night. Start with the strips, as they are the cheapest fix.
Ready to stop cold air round your windows?
Our top pick, the Stormguard rubber E profile strip, seals 1 to 3mm gaps and costs only a few pounds.
View Our Top Pick on Amazon UKDisclosure & Editorial Policy
Amazon Affiliate: TopMagpie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme. We earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our editorial choices or the prices you pay.
No Lab Testing: We have not laboratory-tested these products. Recommendations are based on spec analysis, reviews, and editorial judgement.
Prices: Approximate bands, checked . Amazon prices change frequently – always verify the current price before purchasing. We do not invent live prices.
Data Source: The £55 figure is from the Energy Saving Trust. Actual results vary based on your specific situation.
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