Victorian Timber
Window RepairsMelbourne
Draught-proofing

The house is cold because the windows leak.

Cold rooms, rattling sashes, heating that disappears out the gaps — in a period home, unsealed windows and doors are usually the biggest single heat leak. We seal them properly, without stopping them opening.

The brush-seal system

Not stick-on foam. Brush-pile seals run in machined carriers fitted to the frame and beads, sealing the full perimeter of each sash while letting it slide freely. The sash is eased and rebalanced as part of the fit, so a window that rattled and stuck runs smoother after sealing than before. Seals and moving parts carry a 5-year warranty.

The smart time to do it

While a window is already apart for a rot repair, sealing it costs from $190 per window — less than half the standalone price of $420, because the labour of dismantling is already paid for. That price difference isn't a discount; it's just honest pricing, and it's why most repair customers seal more of the house while we're there.

Doors too

The front door is usually the second-worst leak in the house. Perimeter seals, door-bottom and threshold seals, ease and adjust, hinge tune — from $290 per door while we're already on site, or from $520 as a dedicated visit. Rotted door bottoms, thresholds and frames are repaired at the same published tiers as windows.

Draught-proofing prices
ServiceScopePrice (inc GST)
With any repair Full brush-seal system fitted while the window is apart. from $190/window
Standalone Service, ease, cords as needed, full seal system. from $420/window
Door — with other work Perimeter + door-bottom seals, ease and adjust, hinge tune. from $290/door
Door — standalone Same scope, dedicated visit. from $520

Fixed quote from your photos, confirmed on site before work starts. Minimum engagement $480. Whole-house sealing quoted per window — ask about 8+ window pricing.

Want to go further?

Retrofit double glazing — in your original sashes

Slimline double-glazed units fitted into your existing timber sashes: the original frames and character stay, the glass does roughly double the thermal work. Typically from $1,000 per window inc GST, quoted per project — and it includes the full seal system, since the sash is already apart.

Sealing alone remains the far cheaper first step, and for many homes it's the right one — we'll tell you honestly which your windows justify. Retrofit double glazing details here.

Common questions
Will draught-proofing stop my windows opening?

The opposite — the seals ride in machined carriers and every sash is eased and rebalanced as part of the job. Windows generally run better afterwards than before.

How is this different from the stick-on foam from the hardware shop?

Foam tape fights the window: it compresses, peels and jams sashes, and is usually gone in a season. A brush-pile system is machined into the frame and beads, seals the full perimeter, and lasts — ours carries a 5-year warranty on seals and moving parts.

How much difference does it actually make?

An unsealed double-hung leaks around its entire perimeter — a house full of them adds up to the equivalent of a window left permanently open. Sealing windows and doors is the cheapest meaningful comfort upgrade a period home can get.

Is it worth doing in a rental?

Yes — and for owners, Victorian rental minimum standards make draught control and functioning windows part of the compliance conversation. We work with property managers on draught complaints regularly.

The fastest way to a price

Send us photos of your window.

Attach a few photos of the rot or the draughty window with your details, and we'll come back with what it needs and what it costs — usually the same day.