Anyone who has lived in an old stone house will understand how uncomfortable draughts can be. Cold air around windows, gaps beneath doors and chilly floors can make a property difficult and expensive to heat.
It is understandable that homeowners want to seal these gaps and keep more warmth inside. However, making a traditional building more comfortable is not quite as simple as making it completely airtight.
Older stone properties were built differently from modern houses. Their walls, floors, windows and ventilation all work together to manage moisture. If one part of that system is changed without considering the rest of the building, it can create problems elsewhere.
The aim should therefore be to reduce unnecessary draughts while maintaining the controlled ventilation and moisture movement the property needs.
Draughts and ventilation are not the same thing
A draught is an uncontrolled flow of air entering through gaps in the building. It might come through a poorly fitting window, beneath a door, between floorboards or around a service opening.
Ventilation is the intentional movement of fresh air into and out of a building. It helps remove moisture, odours and indoor pollutants while maintaining healthier internal conditions.
This is an important distinction. Uncomfortable draughts waste heat and can often be reduced, but a property still needs a planned way for fresh air to enter and moisture-laden air to escape.
Historic England advises that although ventilation helps prevent dampness and decay in older buildings, excessive draughts can cause discomfort and unnecessary heat loss. The objective is to find the right balance rather than choosing between a cold house and a completely sealed one.
Its guidance on draught-proofing older properties explains several ways to improve comfort without damaging the character of a historic building.
How do traditional stone walls manage moisture?
Many traditional stone houses were built using natural, moisture-permeable materials. These may include stone, lime mortar, lime plaster, timber and earth.
Unlike a modern cavity wall, a traditional solid wall does not usually rely on a sealed outer layer to keep all moisture out. Instead, it can absorb a certain amount of moisture and release it again when conditions allow.
This ability is often described as breathability. It does not mean that air simply passes freely through the wall. It refers mainly to the way suitable materials absorb, transport and release moisture in liquid and vapour form.
Historic England explains that traditional materials such as stone, brick, earth and timber can absorb, store and later release moisture and heat. This helps moderate changes in internal humidity and temperature. Its guidance on the properties of traditional building construction provides a useful explanation of how this process works.
When the building is in good repair, appropriately heated and properly ventilated, this moisture cycle can remain relatively balanced.
Problems are more likely to occur when impermeable materials or poorly planned upgrades prevent the structure from drying as it was designed to.
Why modern airtightness solutions cannot always be transferred directly
Modern homes are generally constructed using layered systems designed to control heat, air and moisture in a very precise way. Insulation, membranes, vapour-control layers and mechanical ventilation are considered together as part of the original design.
An old stone house was not built as that type of sealed system.
Applying an isolated modern solution to one part of a traditional building can alter the way heat and moisture move through the structure. For example, impermeable insulation, cement-based finishes or unsuitable membranes may restrict the wall’s natural drying process.
Moisture may then accumulate behind the new material, within the wall or against embedded timbers. The visible surface can appear dry while deterioration is developing out of sight.
Historic England warns that unsuitable insulation can hinder natural drying and cause moisture to accumulate within traditionally constructed walls. Incompatible materials may also force moisture to evaporate towards the inside of the property, increasing internal humidity and the risk of mould. Further information is available in its guidance on insulating walls in historic buildings.
This does not mean an old stone house cannot be made warmer or more energy efficient. It means each improvement needs to be chosen with an understanding of how the whole building currently performs.
Can you draught-proof old windows and doors?
Careful draught-proofing is often one of the least disruptive ways to make an older home feel warmer.
Original windows and doors can develop gaps as timber moves and joints wear over time. Repairing them and adding suitable draught seals can reduce unwanted air leakage without automatically requiring their replacement.
Heavy curtains, working shutters and appropriately designed secondary glazing can also improve comfort while retaining historic joinery.
However, ventilation must still be considered. If windows and doors previously provided much of the building’s air exchange, sealing them may require controlled ventilation to be introduced or improved elsewhere.
Historic England’s detailed guidance on draught-proofing traditional windows and doors notes that this can be one of the most cost-effective and least intrusive ways to improve comfort and reduce heating demand.
The condition and significance of historic windows should always be assessed before alterations are made, particularly in a listed building.
What does controlled ventilation mean?
Controlled ventilation means deciding where, when and how fresh air moves through the building rather than relying on random gaps.
Bathrooms, kitchens and utility areas produce significant amounts of water vapour. Cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing all contribute moisture to the internal environment.
If a house is made less draughty without providing another way for this moisture to escape, condensation and mould can become more likely.
A suitable ventilation strategy might include well-positioned extract fans, background ventilation, opening windows or another carefully designed system. The right approach will depend on the building, its condition and how it is used.
Ventilation should also be considered in less visible areas such as suspended floors, roof spaces and unused chimneys. Sealing these areas without understanding their original function can place hidden timbers and other vulnerable materials at risk.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings advises maintaining ventilation to areas such as lofts, floor voids and redundant chimneys when dealing with condensation in older buildings.
Look at the cause before sealing the symptom
A cold or damp area is not always caused by a lack of insulation.
Blocked gutters, defective roof coverings, failed pointing, high external ground levels, leaking pipes or inappropriate cement finishes may all introduce or trap moisture. A wet wall will generally feel colder and perform less effectively than a dry one.
Adding insulation or sealing internal surfaces without resolving the original defect can conceal the problem rather than correct it.
Before planning airtightness or insulation work, the building should be inspected and any maintenance issues addressed. In many cases, repairing rainwater goods, replacing unsuitable materials or improving drainage can make a noticeable difference to the internal environment.
Take a whole-building approach
Traditional properties should be considered as complete systems rather than collections of separate walls, windows and rooms.
Changes to heating can affect humidity. Draught-proofing can alter ventilation. Insulation can change the temperature within a wall, while new windows can move condensation onto a previously unaffected surface.
This is why a measure that works well in one property may not be appropriate in another.
Historic England recommends understanding how a traditional building functions before energy-efficiency work is undertaken. Its overview of traditional buildings and energy efficiency explains how changes to materials, heating or ventilation can disturb the existing balance and lead to moisture accumulation, fabric damage or poor indoor air quality.
For listed buildings, some alterations may also require listed building consent. Advice should be sought before replacing historic windows, applying insulation or making changes that could affect the property’s character or fabric.
A warmer home without trapping moisture
An old stone house does not need to remain permanently cold and draughty. There are often sensible ways to improve comfort, reduce heat loss and make the property easier to live in.
The key is to control unwanted air leakage rather than sealing every opening indiscriminately. Repairs, suitable draught-proofing, breathable materials, appropriate heating and planned ventilation should all be considered together.
At Quoin & Oak Construction, we understand that traditional buildings need a different approach from modern properties. We look beyond the visible symptom to consider how the walls, materials, ventilation and surrounding conditions are interacting.
Whether the work involves repairing old stonework, removing incompatible materials, using lime-based finishes or planning a wider renovation, our aim is to protect the building’s character while helping it perform properly.
If you are concerned about draughts, damp or energy efficiency in an older property, contact Quoin & Oak Construction. We can assess the existing building, identify possible causes and help you plan improvements that work with the property rather than against it.
Part of South Devon Construction Group
South Devon Construction | Quoin & Oak | The Hard Landscaping Co. | Steve’s Turfing
