Attics are part of every home and building due to the extra storage space. It’s a room where people store off-season decorations, old clothes, memorabilia, and for some, their HVAC systems. Some even remodel their attics into an additional living space or bedroom.
That space between the roof and the ceiling has many uses, and if you decide to take advantage of the additional room, you will need to gain better access. Whether it’s for new construction or replacement purposes, there are many types of attic access doors to choose from, depending on your needs.
Types of Attic Access Doors
Every attic also needs a reliable access door, especially when converting the room to a functional storage unit, renovating it to improve insulation, or conducting a remodeling project to transform it into a living space.
Understanding each function is crucial as one product may not be enough to address your needs. For instance, equipment roof hatches are ideal for bringing pieces of equipment to the roof. Many people may not be aware, but several attic access doors are designed specifically for every attic access need.
- Simple Attic Access Door – Also known as a scuttle hole, the simple attic hatch is the most standard type of door that is widely used in residential properties. The scuttle hole lives up to its name, and it is a rectangular removable door in the ceiling wherein the user would push the cover aside to gain access to the attic.
- Spring-loaded Attic Access Door – Many business owners choose a pull-down stair access hatch for building installations since it’s straightforward and convenient to use. It has a spring-loaded door that releases a cord once pushed so that you can pull the stairs down. The built-in stairs are usually made with metal or wood, which fold up quickly as they are pulled down.
- Knee Wall Attic Door – Unlike the other attic access doors, the knee wall hatch is usually installed over a vertical wall at mid-height than on the ceiling. It opens to a small room at the highest level of the property wherein the room is used as a storage area, loft, or an additional bedroom.
If you still have doubts about which attic access door to choose, you can call your local contractor to have professional input and recommendations on which unit to purchase. Most contractors also have connections to product suppliers to take advantage of and gain special discounts.
Insulating Your Attic Access Door
However, many people don’t realize that attics play a significant role in maintaining proper insulation inside their properties. If not adequately insulated, heating and cooling consumption will rise, leading to higher energy costs.
Their role in the overall insulation and ventilation means that you need to start paying more attention and care to your barely lit attic space and the access door as well. Regardless of the type of door used, they often remain uninsulated, leading to thermal deficiencies inside the building.
If not sealed properly, the gap in the attic access hatch significantly affects the heating and cooling conditions, resulting in an uncomfortable indoor space. Here are the steps to improving the insulation efficiency in your attic.
- Searching for Air Leaks
Examining the attic access door is relatively easy to accomplish — all you need is a piece of toilet paper. If there is even the slightest air movement around the door’s perimeter, you need to replace its weather stripping.
In addition, you may also mold the weather stripping around the attic door to see if it’s damaged. If the door rests on the mold, add around 2 ½ inch stops around the entire door opening. Doing so will provide an area to add fasteners or hooks if needed.
- Inspect the Condition of the Door
If the door has any signs of damage or deterioration, it would be best to remove and replace it before proceeding. Pull the hatch away from the frame or unhook the screws or nails to properly remove the door and prevent damaging the rest of the structure.
- Fiberglass or Rigid Foam
Cut a piece of fiberglass or rigid foam the same size as the attic door and nail or glue the part at the back of the hatch. You can purchase pre-cut attic access door insulation at local home improvement stores or order online for better accuracy.
- Install New Weather Stripping
This additional step is needed if the former weather stripping is damaged or has holes after removing the old stripping; measure and cut along the trim and around the other edges until it snugly fits on all sides. Choosing a self-adhesive weather stripping makes the whole process easier.
- Attach Hook-and-Eye Fasteners
After attaching the new weather stripping, fasten the hook-and-eye fasteners to the stops and access door. Secure the pins to ensure that the weatherstrip is compressed when you latch the hooks.
Regardless of whether you have sufficient attic insulation, sealing the air leaks in the access door will significantly enhance the overall insulation performance of your property. Furthermore, should you decide to insulate the attic on your own, it is best to take extra precautions throughout the project. During summer or hot weather, work early, stay hydrated and wear an OSHA-approved respirator or dust mask to avoid inhaling toxic substances.
Takeaway
If you need a direct way of accessing the attic, choose the simple attic access hatch, but you need to have a separate ladder to reach the door in the ceiling. To avoid this inconvenience, purchase a spring-loaded access door with a built-in ladder made from metal or wood. Finally, a knee wall attic door is suitable for accessing small rooms used for storage or additional living area.
Sealing the access door can make your indoor living more comfortable and reduce energy costs. Thus, understanding the features of each attic access door and recognizing the significance of proper insulation is equally crucial in choosing which product to purchase and install.
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