SWMBO and my draught excluders

[KD]

Hi all, As the cold weather kicks in I've finally decided to fit all the draught excluders (bottom of door brush strip type) to the doors I'd had them earmarked for. This includes two upstairs bathrooms where the extractor fans leak cold air back into the house. SWMBO has decided that the black brush against the cream carpet is just not going to happen. Is it possible to buy brush strip draught excluders with different coloured brushes ? I've tried B&Q and they only have the ones that I'd originally bought so I s'pose it's a bit of a long shot. I just thought I'd try here in case anyone has seen lighter coloured ones. Ideally I'm after a white/cream plate and brush.

Thanks for any links anyone can provide, Cheers, Keith

[KD]

Of course, if someone can suggest other methods for blocking off a 1/2 inch gap at the bottom of the door then I'd be happy to hear about that; except for new, better fitted doors or bricks :-). I haven't got to use brush strips but is there any other method that is so convenient and doesn't require you to move big floppy soft toy type draught excluders every time you want to get in the room ?

Thanks again, Keith

[Richard Sterry]

Can't help you on the colours, but I do wonder if you can still get a type of draft excluder that I haven't noticed for many years, (probably because I just haven't been looking). It was a rubber strip (mounted on spring-loaded metal spine) that only flipped down when the door was fully closed, by means of a lever with a roller on the end which engaged with a cam mounted on the door frame. I thought it was rather an elegant arrangement, as it prevents the draught excluder from dragging noisily on the carpet.

Rick

[Paul Mc Cann]

All of which failed rapidly IME giving hours of entertainment fiddling and faffing about with the flimsy springs before tearing the whole lot off.

[Richard Sterry]

Well, all that proves is that no matter how good the basic idea is, if the detailed design is poor, if poor quality materials are used, and if the item is poorly assembled - then the end result is crap. I think that goes for just about anything that money can buy!

Rick

[Capitol]

Can you fit flap valves to the fans?

Regards Capitol

[logized]

If you succeed in blocking the draft under the door, then you could have another problem with the extractor fan not working properly with the door closed. It needs ventilation to replenish the extracted air. Have you considered replacing the outside extractor fan vents instead? - these can be bought separately to the fans.

Dave

[Malc]

I have seen light coloured brush strips fitted around all sides of doors in a hospital. Lord knows where you'd get them though. There is a design of excluder which fits on the floor and is like a squidgy sleeping policeman. Replaces the carpet grip IIRC

-- Malc

[David McNeish]

Externally-mounted draught excluders of various types are still available - not sure about B&Q, but my local independent hardware place stocks a range of them, and I fitted one not long ago to my front door. Buggered if I can remember the manufacturer's name though.

David

[BigWallop]

Fit some carpet edge guards to the floor. These have sponge or rubber strips along the centre spine which engage the bottom of the door when closed.

[Malc]

That's what I was trying to say, only more eloquently put

[Mike]

Fix the real problem - the backdraft. You can get flap fittings to put on the end of the extractor pipe which act as a one way valve for air - it goes out but not back in.

[KD]

Thanks, I might give that a try. I was mostly curing the "I've got to smoke outside syndrome (under the thumb eh?)" but the backdrafting extractors are the next to get sorted..

Cheers, Keith