How to Insulate Drop-down Stairs

Open the drop-down stairs by pulling on the cord that is attached to the attic hatch and unfolding the stairs.

Apply a strip of self-adhesive weatherstripping along the outer edges of the top of the attic hatch. Close the hatch to ensure that the weatherstripping makes contact with the hatch frame. Reopen the stairs and go into the attic.

Measure the width and length of the opening for the hatch. Most attic hatches have a vertically extended frame that keeps blown in cellulose insulation from falling out of the hatch. Write down the dimensions for the interior width and length of this opening.

Cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood to a size that is 2 inches wider and 2 inches longer than the measurements you took in step 3.

Cut two pieces of rigid foam insulation to a size that is 1/2 inch smaller in both width and depth than the measurements you took in step 3.

Attach one of the pieces of rigid foam insulation to the face of the piece of plywood with construction adhesive. Center the foam on the plywood so that there is an equally sized lip on each side. Attach the second piece of rigid foam insulation to the first with construction adhesive so that the edges of the two pieces of rigid foam are even.

Turn the plywood and foam assembly over. Cut a piece of faced batt insulation to the same dimensions as the plywood. Place the insulation on top of the plywood with the paper facing on the bottom against the plywood. Staple the paper to the plywood.

Stand on the extended stairway and place the assembly into the hatch with the rigid foam facing down and the batt insulation on top. Place the edges of the plywood on the top edge of the extended vertical frame of the hatch. Fold up the drop-down stairs and close the hatch.