Christmas is a time for frosty mornings, twinkly lights, and, if your doors and windows aren’t behaving, watching your heating bill climb faster than Santa up a chimney. But before you sigh and crank up the thermostat even higher, it’s worth checking whether the real person is escaping right through your doorframes. If you’re not sure, here are a few ways to keep the warmth in and the cold out, starting with the things us locksmiths care about the most – doors, windows and the bits that keep them shut.
Check That Your Doors Hang Properly
Sagging is for stockings, not door hinges after all! A door that doesn’t sit properly in its frame lets the cold into your home every time the wind blows – which at this time of year is a lot! To check if your doors are hanging flush, look for gaps around the top or sides whilst it’s closed. If you can see daylight, the cold can get in. Then open the door and test the swing. If the door sticks or drags, it means the hinges might need tightening or realigning. Finally, check over the weatherstripping. It should be there (which is a good start), intact, and not older than your favourite Christmas jumper.
Make Sure Door Locks Engage Cleanly
A lock that doesn’t catch properly isn’t just a security issue. It also stops the door from sealing fully, which means it will get cold, cold cold! Luckily, it’s easy to check if your door locks are engaging properly. If you have a uPVC door, light the handle and heck that the multipoint locking hooks pull the door snugly into the frame. If you need to shoulder barge the door to get it shut, then it’s time for an adjustment! If you’re still struggling, consider upgrading to a lock that offers better compression against seals to give you maximum draught protection.
Look at Window Alignment
We don’t know if you know this, but windows shouldn’t rattle like sleigh bells! Windows that don’t close evenly allow cold air to sneak in. Check the hinges, especially on casement windows, as worn hinges can pull the sash away from the frame. Then close the window and test for movement. If the window rattles, the locks (or espags if you want their posh name) might need adjusting. For wooden frames, look for warping or gaps. After all, winter can be a harsh critic.
Replace Tired Seals and Draught Excluders
Seals that are made of rubber should be checked often anyway, for one simple reason. Rubber can perish. As it gets older it also gets brittle, which means it can start to break and fall apart. And every gap in that rubber lets air in. If you spot damaged seals around doors and windows, make sure you replace them. You can also add a simple brush or rubber draught excluder to the bottom of doors if you want extra protection. For older properties, you could also look into secondary glazing as a low commitment way of reducing heat loss.
Lock Your Windows Properly
Warmth and security really do go hand in hand! For many windows, especially uPVC ones, they aren’t fully sealed until they’re locked. So even if you’ve closed the window, small amounts of air will still be getting in until you turn the handle and lock it. If you’re struggling, make sure that the locking points fully engage, and if you can’t find the key, call a locksmith to replace the handles or cylinders for you.
Don’t Forget Keyhole and Letterboxes
Small holes create surprisingly big draughts! So if you’re feeling air come in and don’t know where it’s coming from, look at your keyholes and letterboxes. If you have older locks and don’t have one already, invest in keyhole covers for your front and back doors to block the wind. For letterboxes, fit a spring-loaded model or brush insert, which will keep out the harsh air.
Consider Upgrading Old Hardware
If your doors and windows are sporting hardware from Christmas past, it might be time to give them a modernise. Newer locks and hinges often offer better compression, smoother operation and improv ed energy efficiency. Plus, you get the added bonus security that doesn’t creak in the night!
Call a Professional if Something Feels Off
If you’re not sure whether a door is aligned or a lock is misbehaving, a locksmith can take a quick look and sort it before the cold snap settles in. It’s much easier (and warmer) than trying to fix things with a YouTube video and a questionable screwdriver.
Keeping your home warm this Christmas doesn’t require magic—just well-fitted doors, properly working locks, and windows that know how to behave. A few small checks now can save you money, keep your home cosy, and help you enjoy the holiday season without wrapping yourself like a festive burrito.
If you’d like help adjusting locks, realigning doors, or just making sure the cold stays outside where it belongs, the team at My Locks Locksmiths is only a call away.