Ever wonder how much your attic entrance costs you each month in regard to your cooling and heating bills? The attic door can be one of the main areas of air infiltration and heat gain/loss in your home due to a lack of insulation and air sealing, essentially making it similar to having an open door to the outside.
You can insulate the attic door in multiple ways. The example below will show you how to build an encapsulated box. The materials are inexpensive (under $50), widely available, easy to work with and the project takes about 30 minutes.
Supplies/Tools:
- Foam board
- Caulk/foam
- Foil tape
- Utility knife
- Measuring Tape
- Measure the length, width and height of your attic access from inside your attic. You will need to measure high enough that the attic ladder can fit inside the box. Be sure to mark the foam board with your recorded measurements.
- Cut foam board at measured lengths. Apply safety precautions when utilizing the utility knife, such as cutting away from your body instead of drawing the knife towards you. Verify the pieces will fit over the attic door when closed before attaching the pieces.
- Tape pieces together with foil tape.
- Seal any gaps with caulk or foam. (Tip: If the hole is bigger than your thumb, use foam).
- Place box over attic door and verify the door will close without moving the box.
This is a relatively low-cost, simple and quick home efficiency project that can make a big difference in the comfort of your home.