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Paddy's DIY – How To Check Your Windows For Draughts This Winter
Another great instructional video brought to you by Paddy's DIY

1. Hinges
To check your hinges, simply open and close the sash a few times. It should open and close smoothly and close tightly against the frame seal. Push against the sash with your other hand as it closes. The hinge should close the sash tightly even with you pushing against it. Do the same for the other hinge. If your hinges don’t close tightly like the window in the video, you will need to replace the hinges.

Link to my video on how to replace the hinges on a uPVC window
   • How to replace the hinges on a uPVC w...  

2. Interlock
Staying on the hinge side of the window, check the middle of the sash. On nearly all windows there will be a set of interlocking plastic blocks or wedges. One half will be screwed to the sash, the other half will be screwed to the frame. When the sash closes the two blocks lock against each other and pull the sash tight in the middle of the window. The longer the window the more important these blocks are, as there will be a greater likelihood of the window material flexing.
To test to see if these interlocking blocks are doing their job, simply push against the middle of the sash when it is closed. With these blocks missing or making proper contact with each other the sash can develop a bow at the midpoint, letting a draught come through. A strong wind could also push past the seal at this point.

3. How the sash closes.
This might sound really obvious, but if the sash is not closing squarely in the window frame, it can lead to a draught. This is more of an issue on side hung windows, as they can droop down leaving a gap along the top. A good guide is to use the line of the weld in the sash. The weld of the sash should ideally line up with the corner of the window frame.
Use a pencil to mark where the sash meets the window frame.

4. Window Lock
Next, check how tightly the window closes on the lock side of the window. The vast majority of windows use window espag locks, which are multipoint locks recessed into the sash. The window espag lock has circular rollers locks that lock into metal receivers (keeps) in the window frame. These circular rollers can be adjusted to close the window tighter or loosen it. Insert the correct sized allen key into the roller. Turning one direction will tighten, the other direction will loosen.

Older windows will use cockspur window handles, and will close over plastic wedges fitted to the window frame.

To test how tightly the window is closed, simply open and close the window handle a few times. Pay attention to the seal as you close the window handle. You want the sash to touch the seal and compress against it along the whole length of the lock side. Push against the sash along the handle side, check to see if there is any give when you push against it. As you can see here, this lock is perfect, no give whatsoever.

Adjust the roller locks with an allen key if you want your window to close tighter.

5. Seal

6. Plastering & Window board