How to Make a Stairway Insulation Box

Faced with high energy costs, homeowners seek simple ways to reduce their consumption. Your home's insulation is an ideal place to start because adding insulation is inexpensive and can reduce your monthly heating and cooling bills. Your attic staircase hatch is a large hole in the insulation that can be plugged with a stairway insulation box. This prevents warm house air from escaping into the unheated attic.

Measuring tape
Utility knife
Insulated sheathing board
Metal duct tape
Caulk
Weather stripping

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width and length of the attic hatch with a measuring tape. Measure to the outside of the framing to allow the stairs to close around the insulated box.
- 2
  Measure the height of the stairs above the access hatch when they are in the closed position.
- 3
  Transfer the width and length measurement onto the energy board and cut along these lines with a utility knife. Bend the board backward along this line and cut along the inside of the folded crease.
- 4
  Transfer the width and height onto the energy board and cut two sections this size. Transfer the length and height onto the energy board and cut two sections with this size.
- 5
  Lay the bottom section of the cut energy board on the floor and align the side and ends of the box on top of the bottom section. Use small sections of the duct tape to hold the box together temporarily.
- 6
  Run a section of duct tape along the outside of each seam and press it into place. Run a bead of caulking along the inside of the box's seams.
- 7
  Apply weather stripping along the outside edge of the attic door to create a tight seal once it's closed. Position the insulation box over the attic stairs.

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