Fix draughty, sticking and rattling windows

Work through hinge, keep, lubrication and draughtproofing guides in order to cure sticking, rattling or draughty windows for good.

Guides in this project

01Fix a sticking uPVC window 02Adjust uPVC window hinges so the window closes properly 03Adjust the keeps on a draughty uPVC window 04Lubricate uPVC window hinges and locks 05Draughtproof a casement window with self-adhesive strip 06Draughtproof a sash window 07Replace the gasket seal on a uPVC window

WD-01Survey every window and plan the workWalk round the house and test each window: does it stick, rattle, feel loose, or let in a draught you can feel with a wet finger? Note which windows are uPVC casements, which are timber sashes, and what each one needs. Buy materials up front based on your notes rather than making separate trips: PTFE lubricant, spare keeps, self-adhesive draught strip, sash brush strip, and gasket if any seals look perished or squashed flat. Expect a full weekend for a typical house with 8-12 windows, longer if several sashes need stripping down; total materials usually run £40-£150, more if you need a glazier.

1 each · Notepad and torch for the survey

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

1 can · PTFE lubricant spray

Buy:B&QAmazon

2 roll · Self-adhesive foam draught strip (5m roll)

Buy:Travis PerkinsB&QAmazon

1 kit · Sash window brush pile draught strip kit

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

1 6m roll · uPVC window gasket roll

Buy:B&QAmazon

WD-02Fix any windows that stick before doing anything elseFollow the guide 'Fix a sticking uPVC window' for every window that is hard to open or close. Do this first, because a sticking window hides other problems and makes it hard to tell if later adjustments are actually working. If a window still won't move freely after following that guide, the frame may have dropped or twisted and needs a joiner or window fitter, not more force.

1 can · PTFE lubricant spray (carried over from survey)

Buy:B&QAmazon

WD-03Adjust hinges so each window closes squareFollow 'Adjust uPVC window hinges so the window closes properly' on any casement that closes crooked, catches on the frame, or needs lifting to shut. Do this before touching the keeps, because a misaligned hinge is often the real cause of a window that seems to need forcing shut. Work on one window at a time and test the close after every small turn of the adjuster.

1 each · Allen key, 2.5mm or 4mm (check hinge size)

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

WD-04Adjust the keeps to cure draughts and a loose feelFollow 'Adjust the keeps on a draughty uPVC window' once the hinges are set, so the window is sitting square before you tighten its grip on the frame. This step is what stops a window that closes fine but still rattles or lets cold air in round the edges. Common mistake: over-tightening the keep, which strains the handle and can crack the frame over time.

0 each · No extra materials needed - uses existing screwdriver

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

WD-05Lubricate hinges and locks across the houseFollow 'Lubricate uPVC window hinges and locks' on every window, including ones that already worked fine, as cheap maintenance that stops stiffness coming back. Do this now, after mechanical adjustments, so the lubricant isn't wiped off or disturbed by further tinkering. Wipe off any excess so it doesn't attract grit and dust.

1 can · PTFE-based lubricant spray

Buy:B&QAmazon

WD-06Draughtproof the casement windowsFollow 'Draughtproof a casement window with self-adhesive strip' on uPVC and timber casements once they close properly, since fitting strip to a window that doesn't sit right will just get crushed unevenly or peel off early. This is the step most people notice in the heating bill. Clean and dry the frame rebate thoroughly before sticking anything down, or the strip won't hold.

2 roll · Self-adhesive foam or rubber draught strip (5m roll)

Buy:Travis PerkinsB&QAmazon

WD-07Draughtproof any sash windowsFollow 'Draughtproof a sash window' separately, as sashes use brush pile strip set into grooves rather than stick-on foam, and the fitting method is different. This is slower work and often takes a weekend on its own for a room with several tall sashes. If the sash cords are frayed, broken, or the frame timber is soft and rotten, stop and get a joiner in before draughtproofing, since fitting strip to a failing frame wastes the work.

1 kit · Sash window brush pile draught strip kit

Buy:Tooled UpB&QAmazon

WD-08Replace any gaskets that have gone hard or flatFollow 'Replace the gasket seal on a uPVC window' last, on any window where the rubber seal round the glass or frame has gone hard, cracked, or squashed flat and no longer springs back. Leave this until last because a tired gasket is often the hidden cause of a draught that survives all the earlier steps. If the glass itself is misted between the panes, the sealed unit has failed and needs a glazier, not a new gasket.

1 6m roll · uPVC window gasket roll

Buy:B&QAmazon

WD-09Test every window and tidy upClose and lock every window in the house and check for draughts, catching, or play in the handle. Run a thin bead of exterior frame sealant where the frame meets the wall outside if you find a gap, but leave internal plaster finishing alone unless you're confident. Keep a note of any window that needs a glazier or joiner, since that work sits outside this project and should be booked separately. For a typical house, expect the whole project to take one long weekend to two weekends spread over evenings, with materials costing roughly £40-£150 and trade call-outs on top if any frames or glazing units have failed.

1 tube · Silicone sealant for external frame gaps

Buy:Travis PerkinsB&QAmazon

Travis Perkins and Tooled Up links are affiliate links: if you buy after clicking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. B&Q and Amazon links are plain searches and earn us nothing.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides

Guides in this project

Related guides