How To Seal Attic Opening

Finished rooms built into attics often have open cavities in the floor framing under the sidewalls or kneewalls.

How to seal attic opening.

If you re prohibited from entering the attic there s not much that you can do about it. But you can note it in your report to cover your own back. It should rest squarely on top of the stairway frame. Usually you can just pull them away from the frame.

If the gap is larger use nonexpanding foam in addition to the caulk. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. 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. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.

If the weatherstripping was fastened with nails or screws more time will be needed to remove all of the fasteners. Add weather stripping or gasket material to the frame or attic access panel. Insulate the cover with rigid foam that is glued in place or batt insulation that is mechanically fastened e g with wires and screws. Attics aren t meant to be permanently sealed no matter what a builder or homeowner tells you.

Sealing the attic hatch or door finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. Install a gasket around attic access openings to air seal between the opening and the panel covering. Seal the foil to the frame with the caulk or adhesive and staple or nail it in place if needed. Apply self adhesive foam weatherstrip tape to the top edge of the stop.

Inspect the weatherstripping gaskets around the attic hatch opening if they seem dried out or damaged remove them before replacing them. Adhere batt insulation to the top panel of the box. Most people just add insulation to their attic this will not stop the escaping warm air. For air sealing add caulk if the gap between the rough opening and frame is less than 1 2 inch.

When the attic becomes part of the home to be heated and cooled open wall gable vents and roof vents are no longer feasible but the underside of the roof the sheathing and rafters can still. Cut 1 3 boards to fit the perimeter of the opening and nail them on with 6d finish nails. Without air sealing your attic you are allowing warm air to escape from your home carrying with it your hard earned winter heating money. Apply a bead of caulk or adhesive around the opening.