COPYRIGHT 2017 JAMES DULLEY ( www.dulley.com/sea/ ) - February 2017 - (graphics ref. No. 320u at www.dulley.com/sea/column/2017-feb.htm )

"How to utilize attic for storage space and seal/insulate the entrance"

Dear Jim: We need more storage space and want to use the attic. We have to enlarge the opening, add stairs or a ladder and seal/insulate the cover. What are some project tips for convenient access and efficiency? - Sandi H.

Dear Sandi: The attic is an excellent place to store items which can tolerate temperature extremes. Typical builder attic entrance covers are just an uninsulated piece of plywood resting on uneven molding nailed to the ceiling. A larger opening properly installed can end up saving energy.

The first step is to determine how large an attic opening is needed. Make a list of things you plan to store in the attic. Some attic stairs and ladders include the framing for the rough opening with an insulated and sealed cover. Sizes typically range from about 2x3 feet to 2.5x5 feet. Two inches of built-in cover foam insulation should be adequate.

There are many designs of wood and steel stairs and ladders which fold up as you close the insulated cover. Steel ones are strong, include telescopic safety handrails and grab bars at the top, and collapse into a small space. Wood one typically fold up into three section on top of the cover. 

Once you have the opening enlarged, prepare the area around it to support the items you plan to store. Don't just lay some pieces of plywood up there because they will compress the attic insulation which reduces its effectiveness. This can also trap moisture-laden air in the insulation.

Cut pegboard pieces to size to fit around the opening to create the storage floor and nail furring strip to them. Locate them so they run perpendicular to the attic floor joists. This provides extra depth to reduce insulation compression and the pegboard holes allow moisture to pass through.

When covering a large attic area, remove the old insulation and replace it with high-density fiberglass batt insulation. This provide more R-value per inch thickness. Using rigid foam insulation is even better, but it is more expensive.

If you don't plan to access this storage space often and don't want the added expense of installing stairs, plan on using just a tall stepladder. In this case, add insulation and weatherstripping to the entrance cover. Always have a helper when accessing the attic by this method.

Put several layers of two-inch polyurethane rigid foam insulation on top of the plywood cover. Glue or tape it in place. Attach adhesive-backed foam weatherstripping on the ceiling molding where the cover rests. Mount a heavy object over the cover to compress the weatherstripping for an airtight seal.

There are several attic opening insulation covers specifically designed for efficiency and easy access. One of the simplest and least expensive is a corrugated box. It is delivered flat. You assemble it and attach rigid foam insulation to the top and sides. It's lightweight and easy to lift as you enter the attic.

Another convenient cover has insulation between flexible skins. It is domed to fit over a folding ladder when closed and has a zippered opening in the center. The lower edges are stapled to the edge of the opening framing for an airtight seal.

Still a third option is a domed cover made of rigid foam insulation for high insulation value. It is extremely lightweight making it easy to push up and move to the side when entering the attic.

The following companies offer attic entrance products: Atticap, (781) 259-9099, www.draftcap.com; Attic Tent, (877) 660-5640, www.attictent.com; Battic Door, (508) 320-9082, www.batticdoor.com; Calvert Stairs, (410)286-1430, www.calvertusa.com; and Rainbow Attic Stair, (407) 322-4622, www.rainbowatticstair.com.

Dear Jim: The back of our house is built into a small grade. Several of the windows are in window wells and they don't let much light in. What can we 
do to so we don't have to turn on as many lamps? - Larry H.

Dear Larry: Paint the inside of the window well with white enamel paint and cover the bottom of the window well with crushed white rock. Another option is to line the window well with reflective attic foil. Use aluminum duct tape to hold it in place.

Both of these methods reflect more light through the window. Be sure to place an inexpensive clear plastic window well cover over it or the sides and gravel will quickly become dull.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Publication Name, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.