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Dulley's Money-Saving Tip #1043

Insulate attic access opening

(related column topic links - 602, 937)

Tip Contributor: Don Watkins

Check the cover to the attic access opening. It often is not insulated and also leaks a lot of indoor air up into the attic. Here is Don's tip on remedying this common problem.

I had some old sheets of Styrofoam insulation and I decided to cut them into straight pieces. I glued them together with epoxy to form a box just large enough, when turned upside down, to cover the attic access opening. I attached one side with hinges so it would open upward.

I then placed wax paper under the upside down box and sprayed insulating foam around the uneven areas. I let the foam dry and I peeled off the wax paper. This left an almost airtight insulated entry door above the opening.

Jim added: Cut some drywall and glue it to the underside of the Styrofoam. This creates a fire-resistant interior covering and adds some weight to the Styrofoam to hold the cover down tightly for a good seal.