So, um, I was up in the attic yesterday and felt this crazy cold draft coming from the hatch. Like, seriously, it felt like stepping into another dimension. Anyone else got a weird attic hatch story?
Haha, sounds familiar. Had the same issue last winter—went up to grab some holiday decorations and almost got blasted back down by the icy gust. Turns out, attic hatches are notorious for being poorly insulated or sealed, especially if they're just plywood or drywall resting on a wooden frame.
Here's the deal: warm air from your living space rises and escapes through gaps around the hatch, causing cold air to rush in from outside or unheated attic spaces—hence your Narnia portal experience. I ended up adding weatherstripping around the edges of mine and glued rigid foam insulation panels onto the hatch itself. Honestly, it made a huge difference. No more mysterious arctic breezes or surprise visits from Mr. Tumnus...
But seriously, addressing that draft not only makes your attic less creepy—it also saves you a decent chunk on heating bills. Worth spending an afternoon sealing it properly if you ask me.
Did you notice any condensation issues after sealing it up? I've been thinking about doing something similar, but I'm a bit worried about trapping moisture up there. My attic hatch is basically just a thin piece of plywood, and every winter it's like stepping into a freezer aisle at the grocery store... not exactly cozy.
Also curious—did you use any particular type of weatherstripping or foam insulation? I've seen people recommend rigid foam boards, but I'm wondering if spray foam might be easier to get into those awkward gaps. I mean, I don't mind a quick visit from Mr. Tumnus now and then, but my heating bill definitely disagrees.
I sealed mine up with rigid foam boards and some basic weatherstripping tape—no condensation issues yet, knock on wood. Spray foam might be easier for those tricky spots, but it's messy stuff. Ever thought about adding a small vent nearby just in case?
