Insulating And Weather Stripping The Attic Hatch

The attic hatch or scuttle hole is a removable panel in the dry walled ceiling located in a closet or hallway.

Insulating and weather stripping the attic hatch.

The insulation will both slow heat loss and add ballast to the hatch to improve the seal at the weatherstripping. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Pray that the installer used finish nails and not say ring shank nails. Attach the pieces of foam board to themselves and then attach them to the hatch.

Several layers should be applied. 10 tips for working safely in the attic what not to do. Cut two pieces of foam board that are about 1 4 smaller than the hatch. Attic hatch or door.

How to insulate and air seal an attic access hatch. For additional safety tips on working in your attic we also recommend you look at our safety sunday article on attic safety. Multiple layers can be added to this hatch to increase the r value. Once you have the appropriate materials you can start the process of sealing and insulating the attic hatch.

Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. There are a few ways to correct this issue the most popular one done by many is applying weather stripping insulation to the access door itself. I glued the foil board to the door hatch and used screws to hold it in place. Finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. Instead cut a thin strip of the insulation you re using to size. Cut four pieces of polystyrene rigid insulation about 1 2 inch smaller than the dimensions of the hatch. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.

Remove your existing attic hatch and measure its size. Use the foam compatible glue to fasten the. Carefully pull down the finish trim. First install foam weather stripping on the inside of the trim or directly onto the hatch.

Install the weather stripping onto the hatch or on the inside of the trim. Sealing the attic hatch or door. To insulate an attic hatch you need weather stripping rigid foam board and fiberglass batt insulation. I used 1 board which has an r 6 5 insulating value.