Air Sealing Attic Door

Blocking the air from leaking through the attic door is one of the most important things you can do.

Air sealing attic door.

Combined with attic insulation air sealing can help to alleviate the formation of dangerous ice dams in the winter. The latch should lay flush against the frame. Seal attic floor holes. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.

It s easy to overlook electrical wires ducts pipes and vents in the attic but the openings around these are holes can compromise the air sealing of your attic. By air sealing in your attic you can stop many major air leaks and help to maintain the desired temperature throughout your home. Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air. If you have any questions about insulating and air sealing your attic don t hesitate to contact hiller.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the. Double check that there is a full seal by taking a lit incense stick and holding it around the perimeter of your attic door. Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal. Use spray foam to air seal these openings if they exist.

Install weather stripping along the inside door frame and threshold. Affix foam insulation to the attic side of the door. Do not undercut the door. Better yet there are high quality products such as the attic gator designed to both seal and insulate attic access doors and scuttle holes.

Your options for air sealing the attic door are. Test your home for air tightness. Inspect dirty spots in your insulation for air leaks and. For visual aid on how to complete this project check out this video.

Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing ducting or electrical wiring comes through walls floors ceilings and soffits over cabinets. Air seal the hatch perimeter the plywood hatch rests on a small wood strip lip. Insulate the attic side of the door by gluing rigid foam to it or attaching batt insulation with screws and wire. Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls.

Air sealing the attic door. The attic is usually where you can find some of the largest opportunities to save energy in your home. This can also be beefed up to a sealing gasket like the one on your refrigerator door. Sealing the attic hatch or door if your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.

When the attic access is sealed and insulated heat transfer between conditioned and unconditioned parts of the home is further prevented. Your attic door or drop down attic stairs are a major source of air leakage. How to air seal an attic door. It s by far the largest hole in your ceiling and it s probably costing you a fortune.

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. Gaskets are generally more durable and produce a tighter seal.