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As the push towards housing retrofit moves forward, choosing the right products for energy efficiency improvements in all homes becomes paramount. For Draught and Gap Sealing, the focus is on maximising comfort and minimising energy leakage, which is why it’s essential to select superior sealing solutions.
We compare ecoMaster’s Draught Dodgers with popular alternatives like Raven RP7 and Raven RP78 to illustrate why Draught Dodgers can be a superior choice for high volume retrofit work.
Understanding the Options
Raven RP7:
These seals are known for their availability and straightforward application, they primarily made up of PVC and are recommended to be fixed in place using nails. The RP7 is a door and window weather strip that seals gaps up to 7mm, The RP7 is suitable for Butt Hinged Doors and some windows, particularly suitable for casement windows and in rare cases awning windows. The RP7 Fixes to the frame of the door/window and seals against the doors face:
This means that:
- It is less suitable for Aluminium framed doors and windows as you cannot nail it in place as recommended by the manufacturer
- As most doors open inward to the home, the seal is required to be installed on the outside of door, which is not ideal for the PVC construction which does not fare well when exposed to the heat of the sun as it will warp in shape as the PVC plastic expands.
RP78:
The RP78, on the other hand, has a more robust design and is often used in commercial settings for its durability and strength. It is made up primarily of extruded aluminium and able to be screw fixed in place, which makes it suitable for most frame materials including Aluminium. These benefits come at the cost of the sealable gap size however, only being able to seal a gap up to 6mm. One aspect where RP78’s stand tall is their acoustic rating, having been engineered and tested for its sound blocking properties. The RP78 is installed in the same manner as the RP7 and again is only suitable for butt hinged doors and some windows.
ecoMaster’s Draught Dodgers:
This Australian Made product stands apart due to its versatility and effectiveness. Available in timber or aluminium carriers that are simple to alter and match the colour of the door and have a tapered design which can blend into your door frame. This enables more options to suit the aesthetics of your doors. Draught Dodgers fit in place using a high strength double sided tape, making them very easy to install, with the option of also screwing or nailing them in place for extra security. Draught Dodgers are a two part system, made up of a carrier that holds a seal. This enables a few key advantages:
- The ability to use different types of seal, which makes Draught Dodgers suitable for more types of windows and doors, even suitable for sliding doors, which neither the RP7 or RP78 is able to do.
- The ability to replace the seals without the need to remove the keeper from the door frame, which can result in damage to your door and window frames. This is just an added bonus that you may never need as the seals that come with Draught Dodgers have a very long life span.
The Draught Dodgers options also feature the ability to block a up to a 10mm gap for butt hinged applications and up to 7.5mm for sliding applications making them one of the few options available that can close some of those larger gaps in a relatively small and decorative profile.
Why Choose Draught Dodgers for High Volume Housing Retrofit As Well As Single-Home Projects
1. VEU Approved:
The EDK variant of Draught Dodgers is particularly noteworthy, having been approved by the Victorian Energy Upgrades program (VEU), allowing 1 VEEC to be claimed for every two doors installed per home. This endorsement underscores their reliability and efficiency.
The Draught Dodger in its EDK variant also includes an automated cam-actuated draught excluder for the bottom of the door which provides a complete seal all the way around a door.
2. Comprehensive Sealing Solution:
ecoMaster’s Draught Dodgers EDK variant provides a complete seal around the door, addressing all potential draught points and can cover up to a 10mm gap. This is crucial: preventing heat loss during the winter and keeping cool air in during the summer can dramatically improve residents’ comfort and reduce utility costs.
3. Customisable and Aesthetic:
Draught Dodgers EDK are available in raw timber and white or black aluminium, allowing them to be used in various architectural styles without compromising the aesthetics of the homes. This flexibility makes them ideal for a seamless addition to all households, even the most attentive to style.
4. Proven Effectiveness:
ecoMaster’s Draught Dodgers EDK are not just theoretically effective; they have been empirically tested and have proven their worth in real-world applications for over 20 years, in and for Australia.
5. Ease of Installation:
ecoMaster takes long term quality seriously. To ensure decades of trouble free operation, with no quality call backs, Draught Dodgers EDK combine two forms of fixing methods.
* High bond strength self adhesive strips have traditionally been used as the primary fixing method.
* ecoMaster will supply a custom manufactured pocket jig to allow for permanent fixing with just a few screws. This makes installation super fast and error free.
6. Durability:
Additionally, the durable materials used in Draught Dodgers ensure that they withstand wear and tear, providing long-term benefits without the need for replacements.
7. Cost-Effectiveness:
With the potential to claim VEECs and the long-term savings on energy bills, Draught Dodgers offer a cost-effective solution for Australian Homes. The upfront cost is balanced by the significant energy savings and reduced maintenance over time.
8. Low Waste:
For multi-home retrofit projects, a bulk buy option of Draught Dodgers EDK can be supplied in returnable and reusable thick cardboard tubes offering a highly sustainable, low-waste solution.
9. Australian Made:
With 20+ years of experimentation and research, Draught Dodgers are designed, crafted and manufactured in Australia, because no one knows Aussie Homes needs better than Aussies.
Conclusion
ecoMaster’s Draught Dodgers EDK are not only superior in terms of performance and aesthetics but also offer significant financial and environmental benefits. By choosing Draught Dodgers EDK, you can ensure that the most effective, sustainable, and resident-friendly solution available, aligning with the goals of energy efficiency and comfort in our homes.
As we continue to push for more sustainable living environments, integrating products like ecoMaster’s Draught Dodgers EDK are perfect in small jobs (even DIYs), as well as large-scale projects, thanks to 20+ years of careful craftsmanship that demonstrates a commitment to quality, sustainability, and resident well-being.
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