Attic Access Hatch Seal

Sealing the attic hatch or door.

Attic access hatch seal.

Before installing the attic access hatch you will want to insulate the backside of it before putting everything in place. Ever wonder how much your attic entrance costs you each month in your cooling and heating bills. The part of the new energy code that requires weatherstripping at the attic access hatch is section r402 2 4 which says access doors from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces e g attics. The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the. The insulating material helps reduce heat transfer between the floor below and the attic. Finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. 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.

To fix this energy nosebleed the hatch needs thicker insulation good weatherstripping and tight latches. Here in canada our minimum attic insulation requirement is r 40 that s a metric u value of 0 142 if you re in europe or actually using the units we re supposed to be in canada. The insulation and sealing opportunities created through attic access covers are unparalleled compared to more do it yourself solutions. Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11.

Once installed the attic access cover creates a tight seal around the hatch. Every attic access hatch needs weatherstripping. Some builders make their attic access hatches out of sip scraps. Fine homebuilding as this thermal image shows poorly detailed attic access hatches leak a lot of heat.

If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening.