Keep rodents out by putting a metal collar around the hole filling the gap with steel wool or fitting wire screen to the opening.
How to seal off opening into attic above air unit.
If your hatch rests directly on the moldings like ours did add 2 1 2 in wide stops around the opening.
Notch a hole for your wire and spray foam around the bottom and any gaps in the box.
Install the fiberglass insulation as thick as practical or as space will allow.
Off the shelf products are available but would have cost me more however it would have significantly reduced my time in the attic.
Frame the attic opening with playwood to a height above the attic insulation and drywalling the ceiling to the edge of the plywood opening as usual.
My hvac contractor installed with our blessings a system whereby the fresh air return entails about three to four feet of duct and then is open into the attic.
In general you will have a higher chance of creating a truly well insulated and sealed attic environment through an attic access cover.
These methods deter rodents but may not completely block cold air or insect pests.
Block both insects and rodents with a combination seal.
If you are creative you can also use spray foam to glue your boxes together.
How to seal attic pull down stairs recommended solution.
Then finish up by sealing the access hatch with self sticking foam weatherstrip photos 10 and 11.
As part of the construction we have encapsulated the attic with open cell spray foam.
How to open up access into your attic space for inspection and or insulation.
Covers how to select a location find studs measure and cut a hole install tr.
Apply a bead of caulk or adhesive around the opening.
When you re done sealing your attic bypasses push the insulation back into place with an old broom handle or stick as you back out of the attic.
The right attic access cover can also seal and insulate attic pull down stairs helping deliver comfort and savings for homeowners.
This foam should be cut to the outside dimension of your attic access hatch box that you have pre assembled.
When you have four pieces cut glue them together with a construction adhesive designed to work with foam and then glue that entire foam block to the backside of hatch panel centred as it is here.
In essence the attic is part of the home s conditioned air space.
Cut a peice of 3 4 good 1 side plywood 2 larger than the opening each way and paint the color of the ceiling.
Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.
We are in process of building a home in north texas.
Seal the foil to the frame with the caulk or adhesive and staple or nail it in place if needed.
If you have a finished attic seal behind the kneewalls.
