Draught, Draft or Daft?

Draughts, drafts, and daft misunderstandings—language can be a tricky thing. In the UK and Australia, we talk about draught proofing our homes, while in the US, it’s more commonly referred to as draft sealing. But beyond the spelling differences, what exactly is a draught? How does it work, why do we care, and where does the word come from? Let’s dive into the world of draughts, airflow, and a bit of history.

Draught vs. Draft: A Tale of Two Spellings

The words draught and draft come from the same Old English root, dragan, meaning “to pull” or “to draw.” Over time, the spelling draught became the preferred choice in British English, while draft took over in American English.

Both spellings still exist today with different meanings:

• In British and Australian English, draught refers to airflow, beer on tap, and deep-drawing of water by a ship.

• In American English, draft is used for all of these, along with additional meanings like a preliminary version of writing or military conscription.

So, while draught-proofing is the standard term in Australia and the UK, you’ll often see draft-proofing in the US. But no matter how you spell it, we’re still talking about unwanted air movement in buildings.

The Science of Draughts: What’s Actually Happening?

A draught is an unintended movement of air through gaps and cracks in a building. It happens due to differences in air pressure between the inside and outside of a home. The main forces driving draughts are:

1. Wind Pressure

When wind hits one side of a house, it creates higher pressure on that side and lower pressure on the opposite side. Air naturally moves from high to low pressure, so if there are gaps in doors or windows, the wind will push air through them.

2. Stack Effect (Hot Air Rising)

Warm air inside a house is lighter than cold air outside. This means it naturally rises and escapes through gaps in the roof or upper windows, pulling cold air in from lower gaps like under doors and floorboards.

3. Mechanical Ventilation & Exhaust Fans

Kitchen range hoods, bathroom fans, and even chimneys create negative pressure inside a house, pulling in air from wherever there’s a gap. If your home isn’t properly sealed, these systems can make draughts worse.

Draughts aren’t just inconvenient—they can increase heating and cooling costs by making your home work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. That’s why draught proofing is one of the most effective energy-saving upgrades for a home.

A Short History of Draught Proofing

People have been trying to control indoor airflow for centuries. Ancient buildings used thick walls, small windows, and tapestries to block cold air, while medieval castles often had thick curtains over doorways to stop draughts.

By the Victorian era, houses had fireplaces in every room, and people relied on draughts to help remove smoke. But as heating technology improved, so did our desire to seal up homes to keep warm. In the 20th century, modern draught-proofing materials like rubber seals, caulking, and door sweeps became more common.

Today, energy efficiency standards have made airtight homes a priority, but many older homes still have leaky gaps that need sealing.

Fun Facts About Draughts

• A “draught horse” gets its name because it “draws” heavy loads—similar to how draughts “draw” air into your home!

• Beer on tap is called “draught” beer because it is “drawn” from a keg rather than poured from a bottle.

• Some animals use draughts for survival—desert animals burrow underground to avoid draughty conditions, while birds use air currents to glide effortlessly.

• Old houses were designed with draughts in mind—open fireplaces relied on air movement to help combustion, which is why older homes often feel extra draughty today.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Draughts Make You Daft!

Whether you call it a draught or a draft, one thing is clear—unwanted airflow in your home is wasteful, uncomfortable, and costly. Understanding the science behind it, the history of how people have dealt with it, and the solutions available today can help you take control of your home’s energy efficiency.

At Draught Fix, we specialise in identifying and sealing the sneaky gaps and cracks that cause draughts. If you’re tired of cold chills in winter and unwanted heat in summer, contact us today to book a home audit and start your draught-proofing journey.

After all, when it comes to draughts, prevention is better than cure—no matter how you spell it!