How To Seal Attic Opening

Air seal attic access panels and drop down stairs to minimize air leakage.

How to seal attic opening.

For air sealing add caulk if the gap between the rough opening and frame is less than 1 2 inch. Where possible take the additional measures and enter a sealed up attic space. It should rest squarely on top of the stairway frame. Seal the foil to the frame with the caulk or adhesive and staple or nail it in place if needed.

Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. Apply a bead of caulk or adhesive around the opening. Usually you can just pull them away from the frame. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.

If the weatherstripping was fastened with nails or screws more time will be needed to remove all of the fasteners. When the attic becomes part of the home to be heated and cooled open wall gable vents and roof vents are no longer feasible but the underside of the roof the sheathing and rafters can still. Apply self adhesive foam weatherstrip tape to the top edge of the stop. Adhere batt insulation to the top panel of the box.

If you re prohibited from entering the attic there s not much that you can do about it. Inspect the weatherstripping gaskets around the attic hatch opening if they seem dried out or damaged remove them before replacing them. Finished rooms built into attics often have open cavities in the floor framing under the sidewalls or kneewalls. Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air.

Insulate the cover with rigid foam that is glued in place or batt insulation that is mechanically fastened e g with wires and screws. Cut 1 3 boards to fit the perimeter of the opening and nail them on with 6d finish nails. Add weather stripping or gasket material to the frame or attic access panel. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.

If the gap is larger use nonexpanding foam in addition to the caulk. 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. Without air sealing your attic you are allowing warm air to escape from your home carrying with it your hard earned winter heating money. Attics aren t meant to be permanently sealed no matter what a builder or homeowner tells you.