How To Air Seal Attic Hatch

If the attic hatch rests on the molding you should add 2 1 2 inch stops around the entire opening.

How to air seal attic hatch.

Apply weather stripping to the door to create a seal. In our ongoing series on air sealing we are going to focus on the dreaded attic hatch or as allison baile s of energy vanguard so eloquently calls it a mind blowing hole in your building envelope instead of crunching the numbers as he did one just needs to walk by one in a hallway during the middle of summer to know it isn t insulated. Pray that the installer used finish nails and not say ring shank nails. Use spray foam to air seal these openings if they exist.

Inspect the weatherstripping gaskets around the attic hatch opening. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. How to seal air leaks you can seal most air leaks with a combination of caulk weatherstripping expandable foam spray and mastic sealant. Cut 1 3 boards to fit the perimeter of the opening and nail them on with 6d finish nails.

Weatherstrip the attic access hatch or door. From inside the attic check for any openings holes or fenestrations into the knee wall surrounding area. Carefully pull down the finish trim. Air seal the trim the first step is air sealing the finish trim and enclosure around the attic hatch.

Weatherstripping use around doors and windows. They also give you an easy area to add hook fasteners if needed. Carefully pull down the finish trim. Apply self adhesive foam weatherstrip tape to the top edge of the stop.

The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. These new wood stops provide a larger area for attaching new weatherstripping.