When Perth winter hits, that icy draught sneaking under your door can make your home feel colder than it actually is.
A door snake might be the simple fix you need. This inexpensive, flexible tube sits at the base of your door, blocking cold air from creeping in and warm air from escaping. It’s a quick win for comfort and thermal efficiency, especially if you’re renting.
Door Snake: What It Is and Why Every Perth Home Needs One
A door snake is a long fabric tube, usually around 85 to 95 centimetres, filled with heavy material like sand, rice, or polyester pellets. You place it along the gap at the bottom of your door, and it creates a physical barrier against drafts, dust, and even pollen.
Perth’s climate means we get chilly winter mornings (often dropping to 8–10 °C) and those famous westerly fronts that push cold air right through the gaps in older homes.
Many houses built in the 1970s to 2000s have generous clearances under timber doors, perfect for summer airflow, but a nightmare in winter. A door draft stopper seals that gap without any permanent changes to your home.
Research from the Australian Government suggests that sealing gaps with devices like door snakes can reduce overall heat loss by 15 to 25 percent. That translates to real savings on your energy bill, especially now that Synergy’s residential tariff rose by 2.5 percent in July 2025, adding roughly $49 per year to the average Perth household’s costs.
For more ideas on keeping your doors energy-efficient, check out our guide on how to insulate doors.
Door Draft Stopper vs. Door Stops: Key Differences
People sometimes confuse door snakes with door stops, but they serve different jobs. A door stop holds your door open or closed, preventing it from swinging or slamming. It’s usually wedge-shaped or spring-loaded and made from rubber, wood, or metal.
A door draft stopper (or draught stopper, if you prefer the traditional spelling) sits horizontally along the floor at the base of your door. Its sole purpose is to block air, dust, noise, and light from passing underneath. Some stoppers are single-sided tubes that you push against the door from inside. Others are double-sided “twin” designs that slide with the door as it opens and closes, sealing both sides of the threshold.
If you’re after something to prop your door open during summer cross-ventilation, grab a door stop. But if you want to keep the cold out this winter, a door snake is what you need.
Choosing the Right Size Across the Range of Door Styles
Not all doors are the same width, and neither are all door snakes. Standard Australian internal and external doors are typically 820 to 920 millimetres wide, so most ready-made draft stoppers range from 85 to 95 centimetres long. Measure your door before you buy to make sure you get a snug fit.
If you’ve got wider French doors, bi-fold doors, or sliding doors, you might need a longer stopper or multiple shorter ones placed end to end. Some retailers and makers offer custom lengths, or you can sew your own (more on that in a moment).
Weight matters, too. A heavier snake (around 0.8 to 1.2 kilograms) stays in place better, especially if you have pets or kids who might kick it out of position. Lighter stoppers work fine for doors that don’t get much traffic, but they can shift easily.
For those considering a more permanent solution, Perth Window & Door Replacement Company offers custom-fitted doors with integrated weather seals that eliminate the need for makeshift stoppers altogether.
Draft Stopper Materials: Sand-Filled, Polyester, and More
The filling you choose affects how well your door snake works and how long it lasts. Here’s a quick rundown of common options:
Sand: The heaviest and most effective seal. Washed sand (not beach sand, which can hold moisture and salt) sits flush against the floor, blocking even the smallest gaps. However, they’re not machine-washable, and if the cover tears, you’ll have sand everywhere.
Rice or lentils: Cheap, flexible, and easy to find. These organic fillers mould to uneven floors, but they can attract pests or develop mould if they get damp. Best for dry indoor areas only.
Polyester wadding or pellets: Light, washable, and mould-resistant. Polyester doesn’t seal quite as tightly as sand, but it’s great if you want to throw your door snake in the wash every few months. Some commercial stoppers use recycled polyester, which is a bonus for eco-conscious households.
Sawdust or fabric scraps: Budget-friendly DIY options. Sawdust is light and easy to work with, but it can compress over time and lose its shape. Fabric scraps (old t-shirts, towels) are heavier than sawdust but lighter than sand.
Perth-Specific Draught Stopper Tips for Winter and Summer
Perth’s climate is unique. We don’t just need draught stoppers in winter; they’re handy year-round.
Winter: Block cold air from sneaking in and warm air from escaping in winter. This is especially helpful in older suburbs like Morley, Bayswater, and Innaloo, where homes often have generous door clearances. Many Perth homes drop below 17 °C overnight in winter, so every bit of insulation helps.
Summer: Less obvious but just as useful. A door snake can keep hot air outside and air-conditioned air inside, reducing the load on your cooling system. It also stops dust and pollen carried by the afternoon sea breeze from blowing into your home.
Noise reduction: Perth’s increasingly busy, and road noise can be a problem. A weighted draft stopper dampens sound travelling under your door, making bedrooms and home offices quieter.
Light blocking: If you work night shifts or have young kids who need daytime naps, a door snake can block the bright Perth sun from creeping under bedroom doors.
Draught Stopper Maintenance: Cleaning, Drying, Mold Prevention
Door snakes sit on the floor, so they collect dust, pet hair, and dirt. Give yours a shake or vacuum every couple of weeks. If it’s machine-washable (polyester filling), toss it in the wash on a gentle cycle and air-dry completely before putting it back.
Check the seams regularly. If you spot a tear, repair it straight away to avoid spills. A quick hand-stitch or patch can extend the life of your stopper by years.
When a Door Snake Isn’t Enough: Upgrade to Sealed Replacement Doors
Door snakes are brilliant for quick fixes and rentals, but they’re not a long-term solution if your doors are old, warped, or poorly fitted. Constantly repositioning a stopper every time you open the door gets old fast. And if you’re serious about energy efficiency, a professionally installed door with integrated weather seals and proper insulation will outperform any DIY stopper.
Modern doors designed for Perth’s climate come with built-in seals, thermal breaks, and tight tolerances that eliminate drafts altogether.
They also improve security, reduce noise, and add value to your home. If you’re renovating or building, it’s worth investing in quality doors from the start rather than relying on workarounds.
Our team at Perth Window & Door Replacement Company has been helping Perth families upgrade their homes since 1983. We understand the local climate, from searing summer heat to those chilly winter mornings, and we custom-make every door to suit your home and budget. Visit our Malaga showroom or book a free measure and quote in Perth metro to find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a door snake look like?
A door snake is a long, flexible fabric tube, usually 85 to 95 centimetres long and about 10 to 12 centimetres in diameter. It’s filled with heavy material like sand, rice, or polyester and placed along the base of your door.
What are the benefits of using a door snake?
Door snakes cut energy bills, improve indoor comfort, reduce noise and dust, deter insects and rodents, and are inexpensive and renter-friendly. They work year-round in Perth’s climate.
What do you put in a door snake?
Common fillings include washed sand (heaviest, best seal), uncooked rice or lentils (cheap, flexible), polyester pellets (washable, mould-resistant), or sawdust and fabric scraps (budget options). Weight and mould resistance are the main considerations.
Do door draft stoppers keep mice out?
They create a physical barrier that can discourage mice and other pests, but rodents may chew through fabric if they’re determined. Draft stoppers work best as part of a broader pest-control strategy.
What is a door snake called?
Also known as a draught stopper, draft snake, door sausage, or door draft stopper. All these terms describe the same product.
How to make a homemade door snake?
Sew a fabric tube about 90 centimetres long by 12 centimetres wide, fill it with sand, rice, or polyester, and stitch the end closed. Add a carry loop or velcro for hanging when not in use. Total time: under 30 minutes.
