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Probably most people have taken care of this, but I'm a little slow as a homeowner.
I just made and installed one of those insulating boxes for my attic access in the hallway ceiling. It's made the world of difference. My hallway used to feel like a sauna; now it's cool like the rest of the house. I got the idea from some youtubes demonstrating how to do it.
I used some insulating sheets - they're ~1/4 inch-thick, 2X4-ft styrofoam panels. I cut sections and taped them together with metal tape. I made sure to tape all seams. The result is a 1/2 inch thick half box that fits in the access doorframe in the attic floor. I can just push it out of the way if I need to go up there. The pull-down stairs fold up inside the box. It's a miracle!
1/4" is better than nothing, but provides little to no R value (R-1+/-). Now that you have a nice template, make another one out of 2" rigid foam board and you can get up to R-16.
Probably most people have taken care of this, but I'm a little slow as a homeowner.
I just made and installed one of those insulating boxes for my attic access in the hallway ceiling. It's made the world of difference. My hallway used to feel like a sauna; now it's cool like the rest of the house. I got the idea from some youtubes demonstrating how to do it.
I used some insulating sheets - they're ~1/4 inch-thick, 2X4-ft styrofoam panels. I cut sections and taped them together with metal tape. I made sure to tape all seams. The result is a 1/2 inch thick half box that fits in the access doorframe in the attic floor. I can just push it out of the way if I need to go up there. The pull-down stairs fold up inside the box. It's a miracle!
That's not much in terms of insulation, but there should be some worthwhile effect in cutting airflow between the attic and the hallway.
I did double the sheets so it's 1/2 inch thick. It makes a big difference in the temperature of the hall, but I'll consider adding more, since there's space for it. Thanks!
BTW, I wonder if there's such a thing as an insulating blanket for this purpose? That would be far simpler, but would probably cost.
A couple years ago I bought a product on amazon that does this, it's sort of like a reflective blanket. Not a ton of R-value but it seals nearly perfectly; it's definitely more focused on the air leakage than the insulation. You have to zip it open and closed when you go in and out of the attic.
Agree with you- made a huge difference in that hallway both in the summer and in the winter.
NYC, that sounds like a Star Trek thing; I approve.
K', it had weatherstripping but it was a measly little piece and I don't think it was very beneficial. So I might beef that up, too.
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