How To Insulate An Attic Door

Sometimes, it may not be necessary to insulate an attic door, because it located in an unconditioned area of your home, like the garage. However, it is more likely that it is in a hallway, or inside a closet. Regardless of what type of attic door you have, it should be insulated with the correct R-Value for the climate you live in.

The R-Value is relative to the recommendations given by the department of energy. Ensuring your attic door is insulated properly will increase the comfort of your home, as well as reduce your energy bills. A knee wall attic door is infamous for being leaky and all too often, left without insulation. An attic hatch, also known as a scuttle hole, is simply a panel in the ceiling, which can be removed for access. Despite the fact that both these attic doors are quick and easy to insulate, many constructors do not do it. There are kits available to insulate these kind of doors.

Step 1 - Weather Strip

The weather strip should be applied to the perimeter of opening. Not the attic door cover. This ensures a tight seal between the door and the opening. In the case of a knee wall door, insulate the walls. Weather strip is easy to apply, because it is self adhesive. The most important thing is to press firmly, and ensure that the opening is clean and dry, before attempting to apply the weather strip.

Step 2 - Measuring Up

Measure the width, height of the knee wall door, or hatch. It is important to get these measurements right. If you don’t, it will make it difficult to replace the attic door, once it has been insulated.

Step 3 - Insulating

With a utility knife cut out two sections of rigid foam board to the appropriate size. They should be ¼ inch smaller that the attic door cover. This will make opening and closing the attic door much easier. Glue the two sections of foam board together, and then onto the inside of the attic door. Use foam glue, because many other adhesives will actually destroy the foam. Not a pretty sight!

Step 4 - Attaching the Fibreglass Batt

Cut to size, and glue the fiberglass batt insulation, onto the top of the foam board, pressing down firmly. Wear gloves when handling the fibreglass batt. Then, leave to dry completely. This may take a few hours.

Step 5 - Replacing the Attic Door

For a knee wall, a latch is essential, to ensure the door snugs tightly against the weather strip. It is the only way to achieve an airtight seal.

*If the door does not have one, attach one. A latch also makes closing the door easier.

If you have a large attic hatch, attaching handles to the door will also make taking it out, and putting it back in easier.