Installing an Attic Access Door: 7 Tips

An attic access door creates extra storage in your home. Installing one can be quite easy, however, there are several things you do need to do or avoid to have an attic access door that is safe and secure.

1. Choose the Right Type of Attic Access Door

There are several types of access doors for the attic that you can choose from. You can choose to have the common attic hatch, a pull-down stair attic access door, or a knee-wall access door.

An attic hatch access door is a simple door with a hatched that leads to the attic. Also referred to as scuttle hole, this type of access door is often square or rectangle in shape that most homes have.

As its name suggest, the pull-down stair attic access door features stairs that you pull down leading to the attic. For the most part, a pull-down stair access door is spring loaded so that when the door is pushed while pulling a rope the stairs come out. Basically, this type of attic access door is like an attic hatch with stairs.

The knee-wall access door is generally used for small spaces. This type of attic access door is not installed on a ceiling but on a vertical wall. A knee-wall access door is more suitable for a home that has a small room as its attic located at the top of the house.

2. Install Insulation

Installing attic access doors might be easy but the most important part is to install insulation for your access door. This part of the house is often neglected so for the most part heat is sometimes lost in the attic.

Make sure that your attic door is fitted with a form of insulation. Insulation may be foam board or weather stripping depending on your requirements. You can always consult a professional to get the best possible type of insulation for your attic access door.

3. Think Security

Just because it is in the attic it does not mean that it is not vulnerable. Make sure that you provide adequate security measures to your attic access door. A simple lock will do for small attics. However, if you intend to use the attic to something more than as a storage space, you might want to consider increasing the amount of security for your attic access door.

4. Repair Plumbing/Wiring

Before you actually install your attic access door, it is always a good idea to check the existing plumbing or wiring in and around the area where you will install the door. Faulty wiring or leaking pipes can eventually ruin the attic door so make sure that you repair all necessary damages, if any, to avoid damages in the future.

5. Wear your Safety Gear

With any construction or building projects, it is important that you always wear your safety gear. A dust mask is particularly important since you do not know what germs or bacteria you can encounter once you open up your ceiling.

6. Support the Ceiling

It is important that you place support or braces on the attic floor or ceiling when you are installing attic access doors. This is to ensure that the floor or ceiling will not cave down while you are placing in the access door.

7. Choosing a Location

You can not just install an attic access door anywhere. You do need to choose a proper location for your access door. Choose a location that is accessible yet unnoticeable. The location of your access door should also be place between the ceiling joists to give it more support.