Insulate a trap door that swings down on a hinge

micks_address

hi folks,

Our attic trapdoor is in the bathroom - its on hinged with a eye hook that opens it to open downwards and then there's an attic ladder that you can slide down and is on hooks for safety. We dont use it much but i was wondering about adding some insulation to the door. The attic is well insulated but the door isnt and there's a mm or so gap all around it. The challenge is you have to press it up slightly to open and then it comes down - so you can't add say a draft excluder inside - well you possibly could if you got the fit just right. Is there any kind of flexible draft excluder that could be fitted that would give a little bit when opening and closing? Ill take a picture later as I know its probably hard to understand from a description alone

Cheers,

Mick

Lumen

Get an airtight insulated attic hatch.

e.g.

https://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/products/airtight-windtight-systems/attic-hatches

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122757241#Comment_122757241

thanks i did see those but didnt want to go to the hassle of fitting.. the opening we have is probably smaller than standard as well which might be an issue

loyatemu

you can buy a "tent" that goes over the hatch in the attic (cheaper versions are available on Amazon):

https://www.hardwareireland.ie/product/economiser-attic-tent/

The Mulk

as this is a DIY forum, would you make one? Similar to the one in the link below? You could get it to fit over the whole ladder/trap door and sit on the current insulation?

https://www.irishinsulationdirect.com/attic-stairway-insulation-cover

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122757313#Comment_122757313

I think you need a two surfaces pressing together with a compressible draft excluder strip fitted to one of them.

You could do this by adding a lip above the door, but the detailing is important and you're going to have to design it yourself. Difficult to recommend an approach without knowing how handy you are and what tools you have.

ffocused

I have a similar type of attic hatch, but it is spring loaded and only opens downwards. I got a roll of this and it does the job fine. I place 3 layers of it inside the hatch to completely cover it and taped it into place.

https://www.chadwicks.ie/sfba-general-wrap-insulation-1-x-7m-4mm-7m2-21452.html

conor_mc

My attic opening already had a reasonable rubber seal around the opening for airtightness but when I added 175mm of insulation to the attic floor, I started to get a small condensation problem directly above the hatch. Figuring this was due to heat rising through the hatch into the now cooler attic space, I just cut out a tight-fitting sheet of that reflective bubble-wrap which fits snugly into the higher-walled opening (as a result of the additional insulation height) and the condensation problem disappeared immediately. So very cheap solution but evidently quite effective too.

chrisd2019

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058377547/insulate-a-trap-door-that-swings-down-on-a-hinge

Place some loose insulation material beside the door and pull it across and over when exiting before closing the door.

Some heat escaping into the attic is good to prevent excessive cold that may cause issues with water pipes ect.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122757600#Comment_122757600

Exactly what I'd come here to suggest but it might be easier to handle if the insulation was put in a really large plastic bag. You could also use an old single duvet cover. The edges of the bag could be weighted if a better seal was required.

Mr321

Stick some 100mm PIR board on the inside of the attic door. Usually the done think. Leave it just a few mm shy of the edge will stop the draft also. Will leave the door slightly more heavy so make sure the catch mechanism is fit for it.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122760207#Comment_122760207

that is what I did, but my hatch pushes upwards.

for the drop down type they could cut it back at an angle. but 100mm probably to thick for what they have

the tent (or the insulation in a duvet cover) is the best solution in this case I think

micks_address

ill post a picture later folks - im not sure the tent will work in our case.. its probably an unusual setup..

listermint

you need one of these, Attic Door Insulation Cover | Easy Installation Pull Down Tent with-Zipper - Easy to Install Fireproof Attic Tent with Easy-Zipper 25"X54"X11" https://amzn.eu/d/ftZklxy

micks_address

Few pictures

So I'm not sure a tent will work?

The Continental Op

I can think of plenty of solutions but the problem is they won't work with the ladder up. You need the ladder down to fit any insulation in place. If you want to get out a pair of step ladders then just cut a piece of 50mm (or thicker) kingspan so it fits the hole and is held in by the casing. Easy enough to poke the insulation out of the way to get the ladders down but would need the step ladders to refit it.

listermint

Personally I'd just swap that out for a proper door integrated ladder. Mine was 150 euro. Worst it to get rid of drafts. Attics steal heat and the doors are the worst part.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122764574#Comment_122764574

Thanks I think the size is a bit small but I'll measure it up and see what options are.

The Continental Op

Just how often do you use the loft ladders? If its a lot then new ladders might be a good idea but if its just twice a year to get the Christmas decorations down and put them back its hardly worth it.

Mr321

Just go with draft excluder seal then where the door closes . Get down to your local lidl I seen they have them in again atm

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/stormguard-sureseal-3-self-adhesive-foam-draught-excluder-weatherstrips-black-7-5m-2-pack/493VV?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MTZgdmsiQMVqIlQBh2ZcRi_EAQYAiABEgKl2_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122766584#Comment_122766584

They just a little tricky to fit as you need to push the door up a couple of mm so the hook will swivel and it will open down

Mr321

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122768108#Comment_122768108

Yea you have to bed them in so spend some time rolling them down and pushing the door up and holding it so they flatten down but they will as they are a foam material

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122768216#Comment_122768216

Doesn't insulate the door though.

Mr321

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122768714#Comment_122768714

It does not but it stops the gap around the door he mentioned, where a draft could possibly be coming in.

GreeBo

Id fix 25mm PIR to the back of the door and then add any sort of door draft excluder around the edges.
From above, with the ladder pulled up it might be "easy" to install the brush type to the door itself so that they just touch the sides. Then stick the PIR on top and call it done.

kaizer13

Keep it simple. Make a fibreglass insulation filled polythene bag "cushion", at least a 100mm wider and 100mm longer than the opening. You will need to use a step ladder or chair to place the cushion into position across the opening before closing the trap. Added benefit of this is that several years down the line, when you may have to open the hatch for access, all the loft debris, dead insects and dirt will be on top of the cushion and will not fall on your head when you open the hatch. Simply slide the cushion across and there you have it. Simple.