The latch should lay flush against the frame.
How to air seal attic door.
The standard air sealing recommendation is to install a compression bulb weatherstrip.
Weatherstrip the edges and put a piece of rigid foam board insulation on the back of the door.
Gaskets are generally more durable and produce a tighter seal.
We are going to show you step by step in less than 2 and 1.
Take the attic door off and install a couple of hook and eye locks near the perimeter marking on the plywood side of the attic door.
Air seal the hatch perimeter the plywood hatch rests on a small wood strip lip.
Install a gasket around attic access openings to air seal between the opening and the panel covering.
Without air sealing your attic you are allowing warm air to escape from your home carrying with it your hard earned winter heating money.
When the attic access is sealed and insulated heat transfer between conditioned and unconditioned parts of the home is further prevented.
Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air.
To properly seal your attic hatch also known as an attic door or scuttle hole at a minimum you should apply weather stripping and ensure the attic side of the attic door is insulated.
For visual aid on how to complete this project check out this video.
Insulate the cover with rigid foam that is glued in place or batt insulation that is mechanically fastened e g with wires and screws.
Air seal attic access panels and drop down stairs to minimize air leakage.
If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the.
This creates an air tight seal.
Treat the attic door like a door to the outside.
Use spray foam to air seal these openings if they exist.
Double check that there is a full seal by taking a lit incense stick and holding it around the perimeter of your attic door.
Affix foam insulation to the attic side of the door.
Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal.
Air seal your attic for energy savings.
Ever wonder how much your attic entrance costs you each month in your cooling and heating bills.
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.
This can also be beefed up to a sealing gasket like the one on your refrigerator door.
If you have pull down attic stairs or an attic door these should be sealed in a similar manner.
Reinstall the attic door and install the eyes of the hook and eye lock so they pull down on the attic door.
Better yet there are high quality products such as the attic gator designed to both seal and insulate attic access doors and scuttle holes.
