How to Insulate an Attic Door

Updated: Jan. 08, 2024

Insulate an old attic door with inexpensive fiberglass and tape

FH11JUN_ATTPIL_01-2 insulated attic access doorFamily Handyman
Insulate an attic scuttle door quickly and effectively with fiberglass insulation and foam tape.

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Insulate an attic scuttle door

insulated attic access door

Build a fiberglass pillow

Stack insulation batts on top of the duct tape so they extend about 1 in. on each side. Then secure the “pillow” with the duct tape. This creates an insulated attic access door.

If you have an attic access panel in your ceiling and are concerned about heat loss, don’t despair. You can easily insulate and weatherstrip it in about an hour.

Here’s one good method. Staple long pieces of duct tape (sticky side up) onto the attic scuttle door. Then add insulation batting to form a pillow and wrap it up like a birthday present as shown. Add foam insulation tape around the edges to seal the perimeter where it rests in the access hole.

Figure A: Attic Scuttle Details

The details of your own attic access panel may vary, but the insulation techniques and materials will still work. Here are some of the best attic door insulation covers you should know about.

Required Tools for this attic access panel Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY attic access panel project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

  • Stapler

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • Duct tape
  • Fiberglass insulation
  • Foam tape