Sealing The Attic Hatch

Carefully pull down the finish trim.

Sealing the attic hatch.

Sealing the attic hatch or door. In addition they are usually constructed from thin wood or drywall neither of which provides any appreciable resistance to energy loss. In our ongoing series on air sealing we are going to focus on the dreaded attic hatch or as allison baile s of energy vanguard so eloquently calls it a mind blowing hole in your building envelope instead of crunching the numbers as he did one just needs to walk by one in a hallway during the middle of summer to know it isn t insulated. Finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping.

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. Attach the pieces of foam board to themselves and then attach them to the hatch. One of the most common deficiencies on a home inspection report is a poorly sealed and insulated attic hatch. How to insulate and air seal an attic access hatch.

The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. Pray that the installer used finish nails and not say ring shank nails. Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11. Home comfort problems often start in the attic where poor insulation and numerous air leaks create problems for your heating and cooling system and make your home uncomfortable.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the. Diy sealing the attic hatch attic hatches are often not air sealed allowing air to transfer between the conditioned space and the attic. Once you have the appropriate materials you can start the process of sealing and insulating the attic hatch. Sealing insulating your attic hatch.

Cut two pieces of foam board that are about 1 4 smaller than the hatch. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. You re probably thinking why should i care about my attic hatch. Air seal the trim the first step is air sealing the finish trim and enclosure around the attic hatch.

By mike heeley december 8 2014 blog. A home loses about 25 of its heat through the top floor ceiling due to the effect of.