Sealing Attic Hatch

The insulation will both slow heat loss and add ballast to the hatch to improve the seal at the weatherstripping.

Sealing attic hatch.

If there are indications of erratic air movement coming from your attic hatch replacement weatherstripping is necessary. Cut four pieces of polystyrene rigid insulation about 1 2 inch smaller than the dimensions of the hatch. Every thermal envelope is different. From inside the attic check for any openings holes or fenestrations into the knee wall surrounding area.

If you don t already have wooden boards surrounding the perimeter of the opening you can cut some 1 3 boards and nail them into place with 6d nails. Hardware 2 small bungee cords to seal it tight. Air seal the trim the first step is air sealing the finish trim and enclosure around the attic hatch. You can also inspect the weatherstripping and molding around your attic door to see if it is damaged.

Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11. Carefully pull down the finish trim. How to insulate and air seal an attic access hatch. If the attic hatch rests on the molding you should add 2 1 2 inch stops around the entire opening.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the opening. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal. Once you have finished sealing all of the leaks in your attic the next step is to weatherstrip your attic hatch or door.

Pray that the installer used finish nails and not say ring shank nails. Once you have the materials you can begin to seal and insulate the knee wall access door through these steps. Diy sealing the attic hatch seal trim to ceiling create air tight seal between hatch and trim. Proper attic insulation and complete air sealing is the solution a complete thermal envelope separates every conditioned interior space of your home from outdoor and unconditioned spaces such as your garage and attic with a layer of insulation.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. Apply your weatherstripping to the top of the new wood stops.