DIY Project: Draught Proofing French Doors (Without Losing Your Mind)
Ah, French doors. Elegant, charming, and the absolute worst at keeping out cold (or hot!) air. Draughts sneak in from the sides, whistle under the doors, and blast right through the centre gap. It’s like the doors are inviting the weather in for tea.
But don’t worry. With the right products (and a little know-how), you can shut that party down, make your home more comfortable, and start saving on energy bills. Here’s how to seal those fancy doors up tight—without compromising on style.
This DIY Project is all about sealing those tricky french / double doors properly—at the top, sides, and that notorious gap where they meet in the middle. We’ll show you what you need, how to do it, and how to avoid the banana-shaped door syndrome (yes, that’s a thing).
Why Bother Draught Proofing French Doors?
French doors are notoriously leaky: air gushes in from around the frame, slips out underneath, and practically gallops through the centre where the two doors meet. Draught proofing isn’t just about comfort—it’s about:
✅ Keeping the cold air out (and the warm air in)
✅ Keeping the hot air out (and the cool air in)
✅ Lowering your energy bills (all year round)
✅ Saying goodbye to rattling doors and flapping curtains
✅ Reducing noise and dust from outside (and yes bushfire smoke too)
✅ Avoiding banana-shaped doors 🍌(seriously)
First Things First: Which Path Do You Want to Take?
You’ve got two options for draught proofing French doors.
Both are excellent—just depends on your DIY style.
🧰 Option 1: The All-In-One Kit (Beginner Friendly)
Great if you want everything in one box, with only one decision required.
Which way do your doors open?
If you have a door threshold shown in image 1 or 2, then you need the Sill Threshold kit, otherwise choose the Butt Threshold kit.
The French Door Draught Proofing Kit includes everything you need to seal your double doors and stop draughts in their tracks, the only difference is how the bottom of the door is treated.
Step-by-Step: How to Seal Your French Doors:
Super easy to follow, it features detailed, step-by-step instructions.
With either method, it is critical that you thoroughly clean all surfaces to maximize bond strength of components with your doors.
Type A – French Door Kit – Sill Threshold (outward opening door)
Click this link for the Sill Threshold installation video
- Fit Draught Dodgers to the INSIDE perimeter of the doors
- Fit EMV to the astragal (center of the door)
- Fit RP5s on the bottom OUTSIDE of the doors.
Type B – French Door Kit – Sill Threshold (inward opening door)
Click this link for the Sill Threshold installation video
- Fit Draught Dodgers to the OUTSIDE perimeter of the door
- Fit EMV to the astragal (center of the door)
- Fit compressive seal as per the video
- Fit RP5s on the bottom INSIDE of the doors.
Type C – French Door Kit – Butt Threshold (outward opening door)
Click this link for the Butt kit installation video
- Fit Draught Dodgers to the INSIDE perimeter of the door
- Fit EMV to the astragal (center of the door)
- Fit sections of Draught Dodgers with brush to the INSIDE bottom of the doors
If your doors don’t meet nicely at the top, this is how they can be treated.
Click here to see why you might want to cut the top Draught Dodger into two pieces, the importance of testing and cleaning before fitting components, how to fit the French door astragal seal and the French door bottom seal seals.
✔️ DIY friendly
✔️ No fancy tools needed
✔️ Gives you a major comfort upgrade in just a few hours
🛠️ Option 2: The Bespoke Approach (Customised & Precise)
Ideal if you have advanced DIY skills, special door features, or just love a bespoke solution.
This option allows you to tailor your draught proofing with premium, professional-grade products. We have written the most comprehensive guide on Draught Proofing French Doors – you can find it here.
This is the exact combo our professional installers use—and yes, it’s what we recommend when the standard kit doesn’t quite fit the bill.
✔️ Customisable for unusual door setups
✔️ Higher-spec components with refined finishes
✔️ More install time, more control
Top Tips from the Pros
👉 French doors are rarely square. That’s OK. Draught Dodgers are forgiving.
👉 Want a perfect finish? Take your time fitting the centre seal—it’s the pièce de résistance.
👉 Banana-shaped doors? That’s what happens when you squish sticky foam into places it doesn’t belong. Our system avoids all that.
Success Story:
My butt threshold french doors were draughty cold things; I’d tried weatherstripping on all my doors and windows but these doors were challenging to seal. Because of this, I took a punt on draught proofing kit with expectations that it’d do an ok job. Boy was I wrong: this kit exceeded my expectations — it was excellent!
It sealed the doors perfectly yet without making them difficult to close. Additionally: it drastically decreased outside noise, and the wooden strips looked really nice and tidy from inside. –Jade, Rosanna
Related Guides & Install Help
📚 How to Draught Proof French Doors – Full Guide
🔧 How to Install the Centre Seal on a French Door
🪵 The Story of Draught Dodgers