Many of our customers use DraughtEx floor gap filler as the finishing touch on a newly renovated wooden floor. Although DraughtEx can also be installed underneath many types of floor coverings such as carpets, most people make use of it to seal the gaps between exposed wooden floorboards.
Polished wooden floorboards provide a beautiful and homely look, however, you need to consider a few points to make sure that the final floor insulation with Draughtex produces the most pleasing results.
Preparation
While Draughtex is very quick and easy to fit, preparation is still important when it comes to stopping draughts between floorboards. You need to clear out the gaps between floorboards with a blunt knife or similar. Be very careful not to damage any cables or pipes underneath the floorboards. While Draughtex is flexible and will form itself around any remaining debris, the best result is achieved if most of the dirt between floorboards is removed. If you are also sealing the gap between the floorboards and the skirting board, remove any rope that might have been used in the past to seal the gap. Again, remove any dirt out of the gap.
After sanding, make sure you vacuum the floorboard and skirting gaps to remove any larger amounts of dust and dirt. This is obviously important anyway for the varnishing of the boards but will also help when fitting the floor gap seal after varnishing.
Applying DraughtEx
Once your floor is varnished and dried, fill your floorboard gaps with DraughtEx. The filler is available in three thicknesses to cover all gap sizes, although the standard size of Draughtex will be suitable for the vast majority of floorboards. The seal is very flexible and can be stretched to fill thinner gaps. Because of its elasticity, DraughtEx will also accommodate any natural movement of the wooden floor.
Start by pushing the end of the Draughtex seal in a floorboard gap underneath the skirting board using a screwdriver or similar. Use the same screwdriver to position the first two inches of Draughtex between the boards. You then tension the Draughtex very slightly with one hand while using the supplied applicator in your other hand to roll down the Draughtex into the gap. The applicator has a ledge that prevents pushing the floorboard seal too deep. When reaching the other end of the room, just cut off with a bit of a surplus which is pushed underneath the skirting board with the screwdriver. When you are filling in thinner gaps, just increase the tension a little bit more.
The specially formulated colour ‘Shadow’ will appear invisible to the eye and will present clean, even looking floorboards floorboards. You can vacuum the floor without risk of pulling out the Draughtex.
Instructional Video
For further fitting instructions see our video on how to fit DraughtEx.
Contact Our Sales Team
Our friendly sales staff will also be happy to give further advice on 0800 088 7311 or through our contact form.