2009 IECC Section 402.2.3 and 2009 IRC Section N1102.2.3 reads: "Access hatches and doors. Access doors from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces) shall be weatherstripped and insulated to a level equivalent to the insulation on the surrounding surfaces."
R-30+ is required! Battic Door makes an R-50 Kit to insulate attic stairs that meets all Code requirements.
Thats is a nice a simple fix but you onlyhave about 4-6" of insulation in that attic. In Wisconsin Energy Star recommends R49 or 15" of blown cellulose (about 22" if using fiberglass). So those boxes create a real problem if you want to insulate up and around the hatch. We build a dam using 2"x12" lumber on top of the scutle framing all around the scuttle to hold back our insulation and then rest a flat panel that is insulated to R50 on top.
Those are minumum 2x6 ceiling joist. His inuslation avg's more like 8-10 and was probably 12" back in the 80's/90's but has been compressed by storage on the left. Back when it was built and energy was cheap, the standard was probably R-30. You have to be careful everything is based on payback, and the attic hatch is typically about 1% of attic, it's not really smart to invest too much money in that 1% because it probably would't pay back. I would have used foil backed foam. Great method though
Great video...I converted my home to a net-zero solar powered home that uses no oil or gas...I made a video about it called, "Preparing for Peak Oil"....
That looks lke a pretty good idea, but why not turn the box over, and put some insulation in it for a better R value?
handiest1 9 months ago
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2009 IECC Section 402.2.3 and 2009 IRC Section N1102.2.3 reads: "Access hatches and doors. Access doors from conditioned spaces to unconditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces) shall be weatherstripped and insulated to a level equivalent to the insulation on the surrounding surfaces."
R-30+ is required! Battic Door makes an R-50 Kit to insulate attic stairs that meets all Code requirements.
yearonechevelle 10 months ago
Thats is a nice a simple fix but you onlyhave about 4-6" of insulation in that attic. In Wisconsin Energy Star recommends R49 or 15" of blown cellulose (about 22" if using fiberglass). So those boxes create a real problem if you want to insulate up and around the hatch. We build a dam using 2"x12" lumber on top of the scutle framing all around the scuttle to hold back our insulation and then rest a flat panel that is insulated to R50 on top.
StartInsulating 1 year ago
Those are minumum 2x6 ceiling joist. His inuslation avg's more like 8-10 and was probably 12" back in the 80's/90's but has been compressed by storage on the left. Back when it was built and energy was cheap, the standard was probably R-30. You have to be careful everything is based on payback, and the attic hatch is typically about 1% of attic, it's not really smart to invest too much money in that 1% because it probably would't pay back. I would have used foil backed foam. Great method though
HomeEnergyNow 6 months ago
great vid... i'm becoming OCD about my house efficiency... i'll definitely be doing this!
prdgyair 1 year ago
In order to insulate my attic totally, How do I insulate my whole house fan?( Watch the Fansulator on youtube)
twe140 1 year ago
Battic Door sells R-50 stair covers and EZ Hatch scuttle doors.
batticdoor 1 year ago
Great video...I converted my home to a net-zero solar powered home that uses no oil or gas...I made a video about it called, "Preparing for Peak Oil"....
MrEnergyCzar 1 year ago