Updated on Jan. 10, 2025
Fireplace draft stoppers come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common: They keep your home warm by blocking out cold air.
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Whether store-bought or handmade, fabric draft stoppers — long, rectangular cloth tubes stuffed with soft, pliable filling — are a stylish and simple way to block drafts that leak through cracks and gaps at the base of fireplace doors, screens and inserts. They even block smoke.
Installing glass doors to the front of an open-hearth fireplace can nearly double the fireplace’s heat efficiency. Not only does the glass stop cold air from entering the room, but it also provides a safety barrier for children and pets. Many styles of tempered-glass, hinged doors come with magnetic latches to keep them tightly closed.
If you have screen doors or an insert built into your fireplace, the vents along the top and/or bottom of the frame are known to leak up a storm. Installing a magnetic fireplace vent cover over those vents is a smart solution that stops cold air dead in its tracks.
Fireplace plugs (a.k.a. flue blockers, chimney pillows, draft stoppers and the trademarked Chimney Balloon) are an inexpensive way to choke off drafts when a fireplace is not in use. Made of inflatable urethane or cut-to-size foam, they fit snugly up against your damper to lessen the chilling effect of a cold-air draft inside your home.
Besides guarding against rainwater and pesky wildlife entering your home through the chimney opening, adding a spring-loaded or lock-top chimney cap eliminates blustering downdrafts. An air-tight, adjustable cover helps improve fireplace efficiency while saving you money that would otherwise go up in smoke.
Tired of battling drafts that raise your heating costs when you haven’t used your fireplace in years? Why not seal off your fireplace permanently?
To cover the fireplace, start by cleaning the chimney thoroughly and covering up the rooftop chimney cap. Next, close the damper, insert insulation into the flue and secure it. Now add houseplants, bookshelves or completely brick-over the space. You now have a no-fuss, faux fireplace.
One of the best ways to close off drafty airflow from your fireplace, especially when it won’t be used for a while, is to create a decorative and removable cover that you can pop in and out. Cut two-inch-thick foam to the shape of the opening; subtract about an 1/8- to 1/4-inch around all sides to leave room for wrapping with material. Cover the foam with a cozy blanket or fun fabric to match your decor.
I’m a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIYer covering an array of home topics. She has researched a lot of products and knows how to find and recommend ones that will work best for homeowners looking to solve a specific problem.
I consulted Russ Dimmitt, the Director of Education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Dimmitt has nearly three decades in the chimney and venting industry. He educates chimney sweeps and professionals on the latest products, safety protocols and all other aspects when it comes to chimneys.
Use a fireplace draft stopper if you notice that cool air (or warm air in the summer) is getting into your home through your fireplace. If you don’t have a fireplace draft stopper, it can cause your home to be uncomfortable and will most likely cause you to pay more to heat or cool your home. Dimmitt breaks down the science further.
“Air moves out of the home through the flue for two reasons. The first is warm air rises, and if you have paid to heat that air—such as in the winter—that will negatively impact your heating bill. The second is a pressure issue in the home compared to the outside. Air will flow into the home if it is under negative pressure (most homes are designed to operate under a slight negative pressure). The air flowing into the home may be warm or cold depending on the season.”
Dimmitt says that the most important thing to remember is to remove the fireplace draft stopper before the fireplace is put into operation. If you’re using a glass door or blanket, it’s easy to remember. However, if you’re using a plug or balloon, you may forget to move it. Failing to remove the draft stopper prevents smoke and flames from exiting the home and could cause serious danger.
