Cooperative Living October 2023 - 26

ENERG SENSE
This standard attic hatch has
been insulated and weatherstripped
to reduce energy
●●●●●
When insulating a home, attic hatches
are often overlooked. Save energy
and eliminate drafts by insulating attic
hatches inside your home
If buying materials or ready-made
kits is not in your budget, inexpensive
weatherstripping provides a minimal
level of protection.
How to Insulate Your Attic Hatch
Learning how not to blow your cool
by Miranda Boutelle, Contributing Columnist
Q:
I
I've noticed a draft coming in around my attic
hatch, and it makes the room uncomfortable.
Can you offer any tips for this?
A:
t should be noted if your attic access is located in an area
you are not paying to heat or cool, such as your home's
exterior or garage, there's no need to insulate it.
For attic-access points inside the home, it's important
to seal them properly with durability and
functionality in mind. Attic hatches
should be insulated close to the same
R-value as the rest of the attic. (R-value
is the insulation's capacity to resist heat
flow.)
Attic-access types vary, but here are a
few tips on how to insulate standard and
ladder attic hatches.
STANDARD ATTIC HATCHES
A standard attic hatch is typically a covered rectangular
hole cut into the ceiling. If your hatch is drywall, I recommend
replacing it because it is difficult to properly insulate and seal
a drywall hatch. They often crumble and crack around the
edges, leading to more air leaks.
Ready-made insulated hatches are available online or at
home improvement stores, or you can insulate and seal your
existing attic hatch. Either way, measure carefully to ensure
you create an effective seal.
To improve your existing hatch, replace drywall attic
hatches with three-quarter-inch plywood cut to fit. If you have
loose-fill insulation in your attic - as opposed to fiberglass
batts - install a dam or barrier that extends 2 inches above
the level of insulation to prevent it from spilling into the
house when you open the hatch. Use unfaced fiberglass batt
24 ● Cooperative Living ●
October 2023
You can eliminate drafts and reduce energy waste by properly
sealing and insulating your attic hatch. Attic hatches are often
overlooked, even if the rest of the attic is properly insulated.
insulation or plywood to hold back the loose-fill insulation.
To insulate the hatch, use rigid-foam insulation cut slightly
smaller than the plywood attic hatch. Use screws and fender
washers to secure the first layer of rigid foam to the hatch. Add
layers of rigid foam by taping the edges
together one at a time using foil tape.
Always wear gloves when using foil tape
to prevent cuts. Keep layering the rigid
foam until you reach the desired R-value.
Remember to seal any gaps between
the drywall and trim, using caulk for
smaller gaps and foam sealant for larger
ones. Finish the job by applying adhesive
weather stripping around the hatch perimeter. Install the
weather stripping on the hatch itself or the trim supporting
the hatch.
LADDER ATTIC HATCHES
For attic hatches with dropdown ladders, you'll follow
the same instructions: Install a dam, air seal and insulate.
Be sure to account for the space of the folding ladder.
To insulate, build a box to sit in the attic around the hatch.
I suggest using wood for the sides tall enough to accommodate
the folded ladder. The top of the box will be rigid foam you
can remove to get into the attic. Cut the first piece of foam
to fit inside the box and the next layer to fit on top of the box.
Keep layering until you reach the desired R-value. 
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics
for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
co-opliving.com
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living October 2023

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