DraughtEx Floorboard Gap Filler
Gaps between floorboards may seem minor, but they can cause major discomfort. These cold draughts creep into your home, making rooms feel chilly and unwelcoming, especially in the winter months. DraughtEx is a proven floorboard gap filler, designed to reduce the cold draughts and improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. This no-mess, low-cost floorboard draught excluder is easy to fit with the free applicator tool, and is flexible to allow for the natural movement of wooden floorboards.
Why do I need to fill floorboard gaps?
Draughty floorboards means your heating system has to work harder, making your energy bills higher. Even in fully carpeted rooms, draughts and heat loss can occur through the small gaps between the skirting boards and floorboards.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that sealing floorboard gaps can save up to £40 per room per year on heating costs and reduce your home's carbon footprint by around 110kg of CO2 annually. It's a simple step with big benefits for your comfort, your wallet and the environment.
Why DraughtEx is Different?
Changes in temperature and humidity cause timber floors to naturally expand and contract throughout the year. This often leads to uneven gap widths and causes alternative floorboard sealants such as; papier-mache, wood filler and silicon to become, loose, ineffective and eventually fall out.
DraughtEx is designed to expand and contract with the movement pattern of the timber and has thousands of tiny, concealed air pockets which allows it to be compressed by almost 90% of its original profile.
These flexible properties allow it to be easily fitted into floorboard gaps much smaller than its original width by stretching and compressing it during the installation process. Once the floorboard filler has been inserted it will expand until it fills the entire width of the gap.
Easy installation with no mess
Traditional gap fillers are often messy, time consuming, and prone to falling out over time. DraughtEx is a quick, clean and long lasting solution that anyone can install with ease.
It doesnt require any sticky adhesives, specialist tools or DIY expertise and each order includes a free, specially designed applicator, ensuring the gap filler is inserted to the perfect depth for a neat, professional finish.
To make things even easier, our clear, step-by-step fitting guide walks you through the fitting process from start to finish giving you a warmer, more energy-efficient home with minimal fuss.
Perfect for different size gaps
DraughtEx is the most reliable material for draught proofing floorboards, thanks to its unique flexible design.
It compresses and expands with the natural movement of your wooden floor, so unlike traditional alternatives it won't crack, shrink, or fall out over time. Its pliable form allows it to be easily pushed into gaps smaller than its original size, making it ideal for varying gap widths.
DraughtEx is available in 3 different sizes to ensure that all gap widths can be effectively filled.
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1 - DraughtEx Thin
With a profile of 4mm DraughtEx Thin is ideal for sealing floorboard gaps that are less than 3mm in width. -
2 - DraughtEx Standard
DraughtEx Standard is the most common size and has a profile of 8mm. It is ideal for filling floorboard gaps between 2 and 7mm wide. -
3 - DraughtEx Thick
With a profile of 12mm DraughtEx Thick is ideal for sealing floorboard gaps that are between 6 and 11mm in width.
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Natural "shadow" finish
Worried about how your floor will look after filling it with DraughtEx?
DraughtEx is manufactured in our specially formulated colour "shadow", which has been carefully designed to mimic the natural shadows between floorboards. The result? A finished floor that looks authentic and untouched, just warmer and more energy-efficient.
Take a look at our image gallery to see real examples of how floors can look after fitting DraughtEx.
Fantastic energy savings
In a typical 12x12 ft room, floorboard gaps can leak enough warm air to equal having a small window permanently open. That means significant heat loss, uncomfortable rooms and unnecessarily high energy costs during the winter months.
By sealing these draughty gaps, DraughtEx can help you:
- Reduce cold draughts and heat loss
- Lower your annual energy bills
- Make your home more comfortable
As seen on More 4 with Sarah Beeny
DraughtEx was featured on More4's popular home improvement series, where presenter Sarah Beeny demonstrated how easy and effective it is to fill gaps in original wooden floorboards.
She praised DraughtEx as a cost-effective solution for reducing cold draughts and cutting energy waste. Perfect for period homes or anyone looking to retain their original flooring without compromising on comfort.
DraughtEx is simple enough to install yourself, even if you're new to DIY. You'll save on the installation costs and enjoy the satisfaction of doing it on your own, with a warmer, more energy-efficient home as your reward.
Buy DraughtEx Now
DraughtEx is available in Thin, Standard, and Thick sizes to suit a wide range of floorboard gaps from 3mm to 11mm.
Not sure which size DraughtEx you need?
Order our sample pack to receive all three sizes and test them at home before placing your full order. It’s the quickest and easiest way to ensure the perfect fit.
£0.00 inc VAT
£0.00 ex VAT
Economy
Will usually be delivered in 5-7 working days
£0.00 (FREE)
Standard
Will usually be delivered in 2-3 working days
£4.20 inc VAT
Next Day
Will usually be delivered the next working day
£7.00 inc VAT
See DraughtEx Floorboard Gap Filler in Action
This image gallery showcases real-life installations and close-up views to help you see just how discreet yet effective our floorboard gap filler really is. Whether you're restoring period features or improving energy efficiency, these images highlight GapSeal's ability to block draughts without compromising the character of your home. Take a look and imagine the difference it could make in your space.
FAQs (15)
Is DraughtEx visible when it is fitted and what colour is it manufactured in?
DraughtEx is manufactured in "shadow", a grey/black colour that is designed to match the natural shadow created by wooden floorboards. Although DraughtEx may be seen, it completes the look of floorboards, leaving you with an efficient and attractive finish.
When is it best to insert DraughtEx? Does inserting between floorboards cause any damage?
The best time to fit DraughtEx is after sanding and varnishing of the floorboards to avoid dust or varnish to affect the unobtrusive look of the newly filled gaps. Application is easy and does not damage polished or treated floorboards.
What is the delivery time for DraughtEx?
If orders are placed before 3:30pm, we usually dispatch the same day. All UK orders qualify for FREE Evri (3-5 working days) delivery as standard, with the option to upgrade to an Express courier (1-2 working days) at checkout. Please note that deliveries to remote locations and islands may take an additional 1-2 working days.
How do I know how much DraughtEx will be needed and how many rolls to buy?
DraughtEx can be purchased in three different versions. The calculator on the homepage can be used to make an estimation of how much meters of DraughtEx will need.
What happens to the cold air draughts after DraughtEx has been fitted between floorboards?
By inserting DraughtEx into your floorboards you are sealing the cold air under the floorboards and out of your living space. This means that the temperature in the room with DraughtEx fitted will not be compromised.
Can I not fill my floorboard gaps with anything?
You can fill floorboard gaps with any material and it will work for a period of time if it is air-tight sealed. DraughtEx is designed to guarantee this seal. As with all wooden floors the timber moves and this can dislodge sealants rendering them useless and allowing draughts to again flow through the gaps.
Can I vacuum the floor without sucking out DraughtEx?
Vacuuming the floor should not suck up DraughtEx or dislodge it. Draughtex is suitable for applying to gaps 2 - 11 mm and will usually sit 5mm below the surface of your floorboards.
Can I paint or treat the floorboards after I have fitted DraughtEx?
DraughtEx should ideally be fitted only between floorboards that have been completely finished. Installation of DraughtEx should be the final step of any work taking place on floorboards as the effectiveness of this gap sealant can be compromised if it is coated with solutions. The application of DraughtEx has been designed to ensure that it is not only simple to insert, but also so that it does not damage floorboards when using the tools suggested and supplied with the product.
Can DraughtEx be applied to Tongue and Groove?
Tongue and groove floorboards often haven't got the right dimensions that are necessary to apply DraughtEx. The gap between the floorboards needs to be at least a couple of millimetres deeper than the diameter of your roll. The diameters of DraughtEx lay between 4-12mm depending on the version you buy.
Can DraughtEx be used for gaps between skirting board and floorboards?
Yes. As long as the gap has the right dimensions for DraughtEx it is ideal to fill gaps between the skirting board and floorboards.
DraughtEx has become shorter with time and is not reaching the skirting board any longer. What have I done wrong?
During the application process DraughtEx has to be stretched but it naturally always tries to get back to its original form. Occasionally the natural movement of the wood, through expanding and contracting occurs, allowing the floorboard filler to expand to fill the wider gap. If you have not tucked sufficient DraughtEx under the skirting board there is a possibility that the end of the floorboard filler may become visible. To prevent this we recommend that you tuck 2-4cm of DraughtEx under the skirting boards, allowing it to expand without popping out from under the skirting board.
What is the optimum depth for DraughtEx to be installed?
DraughtEx should ideally be installed about 0.5 cm below your floor level. Our free applicator has a ridge on its wheel that helps you to apply the gap insulator to the correct depth.
Can DraughtEx be used in combination with under floor heating?
DraughtEx has not been tested in combination with underfloor heating and therefore this type of application is done at your own risk. Although the product can withstand some heat it is not fire retardant. If you wish to apply DraughtEx to applications where under floor heating is present the product should not be allowed to touch the heating elements of the under floor heating system.
Can DraughtEx be used on gaps with varying width?
DraughtEx can also be used on gaps with varying width. Just stretch the product to the required width and insert it with the applicator. If the variation is very big you might have to alternate between different versions of DraughtEx within one gap.
What is the best tool to begin the application with?
Especially if your floorboard gaps are very narrow it can be helpful to use a tool like a blunt knife or an old credit card cut into a rounded triangle to tuck in the first bit of DraughtEx.
Customer Reviews (839)
Reviewer
J S
Published on
31st July 2026
Reviewer
A J
Used draughtex previously, this width is very versatile, good job.
Published on
31st July 2026
Reviewer
A J
Used draughtex previously, perfect for the job
Published on
31st July 2026
Really pleased to have found this product, wish I'd found it sooner! It has closed the gaps in the floorboards effectively & discreetly. You can't even see it's there. Easy to fix also. Would highly recommend.