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How to Seal an Attic Door

How to Seal an Attic Door

One of the most common places for heat to escape your home is through the roof.

When there is an unsealed attic door present, it becomes even easier to lose this energy resource.

That’s why knowing how to seal an attic door can help you quickly save some cash during the colder months for a relatively small investment of time and money.

Here’s what you’re going to need to do.

1. Install Weatherstripping.

You can find weatherstripping that is self-sticking for a quick installation.

You can also apply your own through tubing if you prefer.

If your attic door rests on its moldings, then you’ll also want to install 2.5 inch wide stops during this process to make sure the attic door doesn’t create premature wear and tear on your weatherstripping.

Make sure to press the weatherstripping in firmly and give it time to dry properly before closing the attic door on it.

2. Insulate The Back Of Your Door.

Most attic doors have an open hatch that will still allow energy to escape despite the weatherstripping. By adding insulation to the back of the door, you’ll be able to do a better job of sealing in the energy. You can use something as simple as a piece of foam board cut to shape or install fiberglass, newspaper, or your preferred insulation.

3. Install An Attic Stair Cover.

If you have a pull-down set of attic stairs, then you’ll want to make sure they are covered to prevent energy loss.

These install just like insulation does to help make sure you aren’t spending more on your utility costs than you should be.

4. Do a Final Check Of Your Attic.

Many attics aren’t finished and often don’t have any insulation covering the wiring that runs between the joists.

Sealing your attic door won’t do any good if your attic is completely bare because the heat will just escape through your unprotected ceilings instead.

Knowing how to seal an attic door means treating this door as if it were an outdoor entry point.

Whether your access point is in your garage or in a bedroom, following these steps will help you save some cash now and in the future for less than 60 minutes worth of work.

Get started today and your tomorrow will be much warmer.