Attic Access Hatch Seal

To fix this energy nosebleed the hatch needs thicker insulation good weatherstripping and tight latches.

Attic access hatch seal.

The stops provide a wider surface for attaching the weatherstrip and a space to mount hook and eye fasteners. Before installing the attic access hatch you will want to insulate the backside of it before putting everything in place. 5 3 2 attic access panels and drop down stairs equipped with a durable r 10 or greater insulated cover that is gasketed i e not caulked to produce continuous air seal when occupant is not accessing the attic unfortunately they list some of the items i listed above in the what not to. 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.

Sealing the attic hatch or door. If your hatch rests directly on the moldings add 2 1 2 inch wide stops around the opening. The insulation and sealing opportunities created through attic access covers are unparalleled compared to more do it yourself solutions. Every attic access hatch needs weatherstripping.

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 newest version of energy star v3 requires. Ever wonder how much your attic entrance costs you each month in your cooling and heating bills. Some builders make their attic access hatches out of sip scraps.

We are going to show you step by step in less than 2 and 1. 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. Finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking weather stripping. The insulating material helps reduce heat transfer between the floor below and the attic.

Fine homebuilding as this thermal image shows poorly detailed attic access hatches leak a lot of heat.