Air Seal Attic Door

As the warm air rises it finds its way into the attic through leaks around recessed lighting attic hatches flue and duct leaks.

Air seal attic door.

Air seal attic access panels and drop down stairs to minimize air leakage. 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. From inside the attic check for any openings holes or fenestrations into the knee wall surrounding area. Your heating system turns on supplying warm conditioned air to your living spaces.

The newest version of energy star v3 requires. Better yet there are high quality products such as the attic gator designed to both seal and insulate attic access doors and scuttle holes. Cold air comes in through windows doors and basement rim joists on the lower floors. Install a gasket around attic access openings to air seal between the opening and the panel covering.

Use spray foam to air seal these openings if they exist. If you are doing a major home renovation project now may be a great time to tackle this project too. The latch should lay flush against the frame. Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11.

Air sealing in the attic is generally a challenging diy project but the benefits can be substantial. We are going to show you step by step in less than 2 and 1. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the. Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal.

Insulate the cover with rigid foam that is glued in place or batt insulation that is mechanically fastened e g with wires and screws. Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. 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 add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.

5 3 2 attic access panels and drop down stairs equipped with a durable r 10 or greater insulated cover that is gasketed i e not caulked to produce continuous air seal when occupant is not accessing the attic unfortunately they list some of the items i listed above in the what not to. Without air sealing your attic you are allowing warm air to escape from your home carrying with it your hard earned winter heating money. 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.