Attic Ladder, Stair, and Door Insulation

Attic ladders, stairways, folding stairs, hatches, and doors all need air-sealing and insulation attention

There are several ways to get into an attic. In many historic houses, a conventional stairway provides attic access. In houses built since the 1970s, a folding, drop-down stairway was often installed in a hallway or closet. Still other houses have an attic hatch (aka scuttle) --just a piece of plywood or drywall held in a framed opening.

No matter what access method is used, the opening that provides attic access needs to be air-sealed and insulated in order to prevent energy loss and compromised comfort. If there's a conventional stairway into the attic, the attic door can be weatherstripped just like an exterior door. A drop-down stair (which is really more like a folding attic ladder) and an attic hatch can also be air-sealed and insulated using similar techniques.

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