If your hallway feels cold every winter no matter how high the heating is, the front door is often the culprit. Warm air escapes and cold air creeps in through the gaps around the door. A thermal door curtain is one of the cheapest fixes — but does it actually work, and what should you check before buying one? This honest guide covers both.
What is a thermal door curtain?
A thermal door curtain is a thick, lined curtain hung over a door to block cold draughts. It is not a heater and it does not insulate the door itself. Its job is simple: hang a heavy layer over the draughty gap so less cold air gets in and less warm air gets out.
Does it actually work?
Yes — for draughts. If you can feel cold air coming through the edges of your door, a curtain hung over it will cut that draught noticeably, because it covers the gaps the air travels through. What it will not do: fix a badly fitting door on its own, replace proper draught-proofing strips, or cut your heating bill by a promised percentage. Anyone promising an exact saving is guessing — it depends on your home, your door, and how you heat it.
What to check before you buy
Size first. Measure your door’s width and the drop from your rail or hooks to the floor. Our thermal door curtain comes 134 cm wide in four lengths: 160 cm, 210 cm, 240 cm, and 270 cm. Pick a length that reaches the floor so cold air cannot slip underneath.
Shading. This curtain gives high shading of 70–90%. That means it blocks most light and gives good privacy, but it is not 100% total blackout. If a listing promises total blackout from a single curtain, read the small print.
Fitting. This curtain has a perforated (punching) top, so it hangs from a rod or hooks. Check your door frame first to make sure you have somewhere to fit them.
What is in the pack. This listing is for a single curtain (Curtain x 1), in solid colours: navy blue, light blue, gray, coffee, beige, and khaki. The material is polyester.
Delivery. This curtain is shipped from the supplier warehouse, so delivery takes 7–14 working days. It is not a next-day item — order before the cold snap, not during it.
Honest downsides
No magnetic split on this model — it is a single solid curtain, not a walk-through split curtain. Washing instructions are not stated by the supplier, so treat it gently. And as above, delivery is 7–14 working days, not next day.
Who is it best for?
Draughty front and back doors, cold hallways, and rented flats where you want a simple, removable fix. If your door has a large visible gap at the bottom, pair the curtain with a draught excluder strip for the best result.
Frequently asked questions
Will it cut my heating bill? It reduces draughts, which helps your heating work less hard, but no exact percentage can be promised — it depends on your home.
Does it block all light? No — it gives 70–90% shading, not total blackout.
How long does delivery take? 7–14 working days, shipped from the supplier warehouse.
Is it one curtain or a pair? A single curtain.
What sizes are available? 134 cm wide, in lengths of 160, 210, 240, and 270 cm.
If your door is the coldest part of your home, start here: Thermal Door Curtain – £24.99 at https://stopdraught.com/product/thermal-door-curtain/ — or browse the full Keep the Heat In range at https://stopdraught.com/product-category/keep-the-heat-in/.