The attic door hack that cuts energy bills
Can you practically feel your energy bill rising every time you stare at your attic door? You don't necessarily need to purchase and install a new door or hatch to get better efficiency. It's time to learn how to insulate an attic door. This guide will show you the basics of creating a better barrier using fiberglass insulation.
When your attic entryway isn't insulated, climate-controlled air can easily escape. That means you're losing money every single time you turn on your home's heating or air conditioning. By reducing air leakage, insulation helps maintain a more consistent temperature throughout your home, making it more comfortable year-round.
Insulation also helps to prevent condensation and moisture buildup that can lead to mold or damage to the attic space. In addition, insulating the attic door or hatch can reduce noise transmission from the attic to the living areas, providing a quieter environment inside your home.
This is a cost-effective project that can be done for around $1 to $7 per square foot. Meanwhile, you'll save thousands in the long run in energy costs.
To stay protected from potentially carcinogenic fiberglass dust, we recommend you cover all exposed skin while handling fiberglass insulation. Your gear should consist of a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, tall socks, and a hat or hood. Also consider wrapping your head with a scarf or bandana. Additionally, wear eyewear, a face mask, and gloves.
You should also purchase fiberglass insulation, self-adhesive weatherstripping, and a contractor's nail gun. Fiberglass and weatherstripping rolls come in a variety of widths and lengths, so you’ll have to measure your attic door before purchasing to make sure you have the right amount.
Fiberglass insulation is considered the best material for inexpensively and effectively insulating your attic door or hatch. Use the steps below to DIY your way to lower energy bills.
You can skip this step if you already have adequate weatherstripping around your attic door or hatch. Weatherstripping materials are seals placed at the openings of doors to help seal in air leaks around movable parts. Most weatherstripping used for attic doors is made from vinyl or plastic.
If your weatherstripping is either absent or dried out, you'll need to add new weatherstripping. Start by removing the current weatherstripping. In most cases, you'll simply pull weatherstripping materials away from the frame. If the weatherstripping was applied with nails or screws, you'll need to lift or unscrew the fasteners manually.
Using the new self-adhesive weatherstripping you've purchased for this project, measure and cut your weatherstripping. Carefully place the weatherstripping along the door trim. Press gently down on the weatherstripping as you apply it to the surface to ensure a good seal. Try not to stretch or pull the weatherstripping.
Cut your fiberglass batts to the dimension of your door or hatch. In most cases, you'll need more than one piece to cover the entire area. However, you should only use extra material to cover the door's full surface area.
You may be tempted to layer up fiberglass insulation because it can seem like more would be better. In reality, fiberglass is more efficient when it's not compacted. Never compress more than one layer of fiberglass over the door.
Place the cut insulation against the door with the fiberglass side down so that it's touching the door. Verify that the sizing is right. Make sure not to compress the fiberglass, as this will reduce its efficiency.
If you're content with the fit of your fiberglass insulation, staple it against the door until it is secure. Use the paper flanges to staple it against the wood frame. The paper should be flush with the edge of the wood.
Properly installed, fiberglass insulation does a great job of preventing heat loss from your attic hatch. However, faulty wood stops and a hatch that doesn’t close all the way can still let air escape into your attic. These tips will help to ensure that your new insulation does its job.
Also known as door stop molding, door stops are those thin pieces of trim along the inside edge of your attic door frame. They prevent your door from swinging through its frame. It's not uncommon for attic door wood stops to become damaged. New wood stops can help to enhance insulation.
If you decide to add new door stops, do this before applying your new weatherstripping. Your weatherstripping needs to be applied over the fresh door stops. If you plan to swap them out, you won't need to remove old weatherstripping first because the outdated weatherstripping will simply be removed when you pull out your door stops.
While your attic door or hatch may look secure when it's closed shut, tiny bits of air are probably escaping. A great way to help your door to fully compress is to add hook-and-eye fasteners to the exterior of your attic door or hatch.
If you're dealing with a door that doesn't close properly, it could be that your attic ladder installation was faulty and is keeping the hatch from shutting.
Learning how to insulate an attic door is something that most semi-handy homeowners can handle. However, you may be apprehensive about handling fiberglass insulation. You may also want to take the opportunity to have the airflow in your attic assessed as part of a larger attic inspection to see if you're losing hot or cold air from leak spots. Even something like new attic flooring can greatly increase your home's efficiency. New flooring can provide an extra layer of insulation and prevent drafts by sealing any existing gaps and cracks.
Local attic insulation contractors can take care of all of this. A professional attic insulation cost typically ranges from $1 to $1.50 per square foot.
Attic door weatherstripping usually needs to be changed every two to three years. The life span of attic door weatherstripping can vary depending on various factors, such as the quality of the weatherstripping material, usage, and exposure to weather conditions. Inspect yours annually to confirm that it's still intact and functioning well.
If you need to cut batts of fiberglass insulation to fit them to your attic door or hatch, an extendable utility knife is the best option for getting a clean, accurate cut. Alternatively, you can buy an insulation knife specifically designed for cutting insulation materials. It usually has a serrated edge, which helps to easily slice through fiberglass insulation.
