How to Weatherproof an Attic Door

Attic Hatch

• 1

  Remove the attic hatch by pushing up on it and turning it upright so you can pull it down through the opening. Lay the hatch on a flat surface.

• 2

  Pull the backing off the end of the weather stripping. Press the weather stripping down along the edge of the attic hatch. Pull the backing off a few inches at a time as you go. Cut the excess stripping off.

• 3

  Measure the length and width of the hatch and cut a piece of fiberglass batt insulation the size of the board.

• 4

  Apply a thin layer of construction adhesive by running a thin line along the perimeter of the hatch just to the inside of the newly installed weather stripping and along the center.

• 5

  Place the insulation on top of the glue with the paper side down. Press firmly to make sure the insulation will not come up. Allow the glue to dry for two to three hours and reinstall the hatch into the attic opening.

Pull-Down Stairs

• 6

  Install a line of weather stripping along the inside perimeter of the attic door.

• 7

  Install an attic door insulation cover on the inside of the attic door. The easiest method is to purchase a premade cover at any hardware or home improvement store.

• 8

  Measure your attic opening to get the correct size tent.

• 9

  Place the attic tent on top of the opening to your attic stairs on the inside of the attic. Staple the skirt of the tent to the floor around the opening.

• 10

  Run a line of caulk along the edge of the skirt and press it down with your thumb. This will seal the tent. Pull the cover over the opening and zip it closed while you are standing on the attic stairs. Close the stairs as you normally would.

Knee-Wall Board

• 11

  Install weather stripping on the inside of the door by removing the backing and pressing the weather stripping along the edge of the door.

• 12

  Measure the inside of the door. Cut a piece of fiberglass insulation the size of the door and glue it to the inside of the door using construction adhesive.

• 13

  Install a latch on the outside of the door to provide a tighter seal.

• 14

  Measure from the floor midway up the knee-wall board and on the outside of the door frame. Mark both sides with the same measurement so the latch is even.

• 15

  Hold the latch in place and mark the screw holes on the door. Place the other side of the latch on to the door frame and mark the screw holes. Drill starter holes using a small drill bit around 5/8 inch in diameter.

• 16

  Hold the latch up and screw it into place.