Were you born in a tent?

If you grew up in Australia, chances are you’ve heard (or been on the receiving end of) the classic rebuke: “Were you born in a tent?” It’s a lighthearted way of reminding someone to shut the door and stop letting the cold air in (or the cool air out). But what if we told you that, structurally speaking, many Australian homes might as well be tents?

Australia has some of the draughtiest, leakiest, and most poorly insulated homes in the developed world. In winter, they let the cold in. In summer, they leak precious cool air. And year-round, they waste energy, making our homes uncomfortable and expensive to run.

But why is this the case? Why are Australian homes so draughty, and what can we do about it? To answer that, we need to take a journey through the history of Australian homebuilding, explore how our attitudes toward energy efficiency compare to other countries, and understand why fixing draughts should be a national priority.

A History of Draughty Australian Homes

To understand why many Australian houses are so leaky, we need to look at how they’ve been built over time. Unlike Europe and North America, where centuries-old architecture had to evolve to handle extreme cold, Australia’s building tradition was influenced by different factors, including colonial construction methods, a mild climate (or so we thought), and cost-driven decision-making.

1. The Early Days – Colonial Cottages and Queenslanders

Early Australian homes were adaptations of British designs, despite Australia’s vastly different climate. Colonial settlers brought construction methods suited to a cool, damp UK climate, not Australia’s hot summers and variable winters.

Many homes were built without insulation, air sealing, or careful orientation to the sun. They were made from lightweight materials like timber and corrugated iron, which absorbed heat during the day and lost it at night. The iconic Queenslander, raised on stilts with large verandas, was designed to encourage airflow in hot, humid conditions but did little to retain warmth in winter.

2. The Post-War Boom – Mass Housing, Minimal Efficiency

After World War II, Australia experienced a housing boom. Speed and affordability were the priorities, and energy efficiency wasn’t a consideration. Uninsulated brick veneer homes became common, and most houses were built with single-glazed windows, unsealed gaps, and little attention to airtightness.

Central heating and cooling systems weren’t widespread, so people relied on gas heaters, open fires, and fans to regulate temperature. These houses were built to be cheap and quick to construct, with little thought given to thermal performance.

3. The 1990s–2000s – Bigger Homes, Same Problems

By the late 20th century, Australian homes were getting bigger than ever, with open-plan living becoming the dominant trend. However, bigger homes mean more air leakage, and construction practices still didn’t prioritise airtightness.

Even as insulation became more common, draught proofing remained overlooked. Open fireplaces, exhaust fans, downlights, and poorly fitted windows and doors all contributed to homes that leaked air at an astonishing rate.

The Draughtiest Homes in the Developed World?

Australia is often compared unfavourably to other developed countries when it comes to home energy efficiency. Studies show that Australian homes are colder in winter than homes in Scandinavia, where sub-zero temperatures are the norm.

Why? Because in Europe, Canada, and the US, homes are built with airtightness in mind.

• Scandinavia & Northern Europe – Homes are heavily insulated, airtight, and designed to retain heat. Double or triple-glazed windows are standard, and draught-proofing is essential.

• North America – Many homes have sealed building envelopes, meaning they are designed to be airtight with mechanical ventilation to control airflow.

• New Zealand – While historically similar to Australia, NZ has introduced much stricter energy efficiency standards in recent years, requiring homes to be better sealed.

In contrast, Australian homes are often built with the assumption that we live in a mild climate—but this is a dangerous myth.

Australia’s Climate Reality: Why We Should Care More About Draughts

Despite our reputation for sunshine and warmth, Australia has some of the coldest homes in the developed world in winter. A 2015 study found that indoor winter temperatures in Melbourne homes averaged just 14°C, colder than the recommended 18°C minimum for health.

Cold homes are more than just uncomfortable—they can be dangerous. Exposure to indoor temperatures below 18°C has been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular issues, and increased winter mortality rates.

In summer, the problem reverses—our homes overheat because they allow heat to infiltrate, forcing people to rely heavily on air conditioning. This contributes to skyrocketing energy bills and higher carbon emissions.

The solution? We need to stop treating draught-proofing as an afterthought and start sealing up our homes properly.

What Can Be Done? The Case for Draught Proofing

If Australia wants to improve home comfort, cut energy costs, and reduce emissions, the most cost-effective and immediate action we can take is draught-proofing.

1. Identifying the Problem

Draughts come from gaps and cracks around doors, windows, vents, floorboards, and chimneys. The easiest way to find them is to do a home audit—you can either do a basic check yourself (by feeling for air movement around gaps) or get a professional draught-proofing assessment.

2. Sealing the Gaps

Once you identify the leaks, it’s time to seal them up. Solutions include:

• Weather seals on doors and windows

• Brush seals for sliding doors

• Chimney dampers to stop air escaping

• Sealing downlights and exhaust fans

• Caulking and sealing gaps around skirting boards and vents

3. Complementing Other Efficiency Measures

Draught-proofing isn’t just about stopping air leaks—it works hand-in-hand with insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and smart home design to maximise comfort.

• A well-sealed home needs controlled ventilation—not random leaks.

• Draught-proofing reduces reliance on air conditioning and heating, saving money on bills.

• Fixing draughts is often the best first step before making other energy upgrades.

Final Thoughts: No, You Weren’t Born in a Tent—So Stop Living Like You Were!

Australian homes have a long history of leaky, inefficient construction, but we now have the knowledge and tools to fix the problem.

At Draught Fix, we specialise in sealing up homes properly, helping Australians stay comfortable, save money, and reduce energy waste.

If you’re tired of living in a house that feels like a tent, it’s time to take action. Get in touch today to book a draught-proofing audit and start making your home truly liveable.

Because, let’s face it—if you wanted to live with constant airflow, you’d camp outside.