Air Seal Attic Door

Pull back existing insulation seal with caulk or expanding foam and return insulation.

Air seal attic door.

When you re done sealing your attic bypasses push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or stick as you back out of the attic. Air seal the hatch perimeter the plywood hatch rests on a small wood strip lip. To properly seal your attic hatch also known as an attic door or scuttle hole at a minimum you should apply weather stripping and ensure the attic side of the attic door is insulated. Attic stairs insulation cover for pull down stairway r value 15 5 extra thick air tight attic tent door stairway ladder insulator cover with easy zipper access 25 x 54 x 11 4 5 out of 5 stars 16.

There may be many reasons that this isn t a job you want to take on by yourself. Install a latch that will pull the door tight to the frame and the weather stripping. How to air seal an attic door. Use spray foam to air seal these openings if they exist.

Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal. Attach fiberglass to the back of the attic hatch door and line the stops with weather stripping on your way down. This can also be beefed up to a sealing gasket like the one on your refrigerator door. Do not undercut the door.

Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment often one year or less. Install weather stripping along the inside door frame and threshold. Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11. Gaskets are generally more durable and produce a tighter seal.

Insulate the attic side of the door by gluing rigid foam to it or attaching batt insulation with screws and wire. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. When you insulate and seal the attic access you help prevent heat transfer between the attic and the conditioned home improving energy efficiency which is reflected in lower heating and cooling costs for homeowners. From inside the attic check for any openings holes or fenestrations into the knee wall surrounding area.

Better yet there are high quality products such as the attic gator designed to both seal and insulate attic access doors and scuttle holes. The standard air sealing recommendation is to install a compression bulb weatherstrip. Attach the rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the door. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the opening.