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Best way to seal a hinged drop-down attic door

  • 12-03-2013 10:03am
    #1
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,150 ✭✭✭


    As the title says, I have insulated my attic door, but the edges are not well sealed. As its on a drop down hinge, with one of those push-up-drop-down catches, I'm looking for advice on the best way to do this.


Comments

  • #2
    sbsquarepants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭sbsquarepants


    An adhesive sponge tape seal around the perimeter should do the trick. Probably slight overkill though i would imagine?


  • #3
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,150 ✭✭✭homer911


    sbsquarepants wrote: »
    An adhesive sponge tape seal around the perimeter should do the trick. Probably slight overkill though i would imagine?

    A bit concerned that the push-up door latch will make this impossible - is it possible to get some sort of gasket like you would find on a fridge door?


  • #4
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,095 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    You dont have to do anything as complicated as that! Get a sheet of that compressed insulation (usually has one side silver). Cut it to size to just fit on top of the frame of the ladder like a lid. As you go up the ladder you can just lift it to one side - mine leans against the water tank, and I have made a 'handle' of duct tape to hold it to bring it back into place. I also bound the edges in duct tape to stop it crumbling.

    It is so effective that when it sits straight you can feel the draught sealing it against the framework and the cold cuts off instantly!


  • #5
    sbsquarepants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,812 ✭✭✭✭sbsquarepants


    homer911 wrote: »
    A bit concerned that the push-up door latch will make this impossible - is it possible to get some sort of gasket like you would find on a fridge door?

    I'm not sure. It would be a great idea though - it makes me wonder why they don't come fitted to hall doors.:confused:


  • #6
    homer911
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,150 ✭✭✭homer911


    looksee wrote: »
    You dont have to do anything as complicated as that! Get a sheet of that compressed insulation (usually has one side silver). Cut it to size to just fit on top of the frame of the ladder like a lid. As you go up the ladder you can just lift it to one side - mine leans against the water tank, and I have made a 'handle' of duct tape to hold it to bring it back into place. I also bound the edges in duct tape to stop it crumbling.

    It is so effective that when it sits straight you can feel the draught sealing it against the framework and the cold cuts off instantly!

    That sounds like a good idea, from the top down, not too heavy to move. I could add some sponge tape to the underside to ensure a good fit/seal. I have a drop down ladder that overhangs the opening slightly, but provided the cover is lifted off in the right direction it shouldn't be a problem.

    My next little project..


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  • #7
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,401 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    What I done with my drop down attic door was to get some carpet off cuts about 30cms wide, fold in half so you've a stip 15cms wide, then nail it around the opening.

    Fold it so it forms a lip as the door comes up from under it. Do this on all 4 sides of the opening. Works great...


  • #8
    Merch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,327 ✭✭✭Merch


    homer911 wrote: »
    A bit concerned that the push-up door latch will make this impossible - is it possible to get some sort of gasket like you would find on a fridge door?

    draft sealing for doors, could you use that, I did.
    I did notice that part of it is coming off as I push it up into the attic and was laying it flat on the boards I have up there.

    I think its called P section, to get the P section you need to peel the two halves of the seal apart, I put the full seal on the attic frame (in the ceiling) and half a section to mate with that on the attic door/hatch.
    I got the cheapest polystyrene foam and built it up in layers, using a glue to bond each layer to the next with a few blobs. I tapped up the sides with duct tape to stop it crumbling.
    Really I need to get some kind of hinge, or make something that will allow me to push the hatch up and then rotate it out of the way, but its insulated so that will do for the time being.


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