How to Insulate an Attic Pull-Down Ladder

One of the most common ways a house loses heat is by having an attic pull-down ladder that is either not insulated properly or not insulated at all. With just a short trip to the local hardware store, you can insulate your attic pull-down ladder and the entry door the ladder is attached to by creating an insulating cover for the entire opening. The cover will look like a rectangular-shaped box without a bottom that will go on top of the attic ladder and opening. After you have insulated your attic pull-down ladder, your house will be warmer, and you'll save lots of money by not having the heat kick in so often.

Things You'll Need

• 1 54-by-55-inch piece of cardboard
• Measuring tape
• Razor blade
• 2 15-by-25-inch pieces of cardboard
• Duct tape
• 1 25-by-54-inch of fiberglass insulation
• Plastic wrap
• Scissors
• 17-foot roll of 1/4-by-1/2-inch foam weatherstrip tape

Instructions

1. Lay the 54-by-55-inch piece of cardboard down on the floor. If the attic opening is 54-by-25 inches, use the measuring tape and mark off 15 inches from each end of the 55-inch side at the top and the bottom. Draw a line connecting the top and bottom marks, creating three rectangles that are 54-by-15 inches, 54-by-25 inches and 54-by-15 inches. Fold the cardboard along the drawn lines. If the attic opening is 54-by-22 inches, cut 3 inches off the 55-inch side with the razor blade to create a piece that is 52-by-54 inches. Use the measuring tape to mark 15 inches from each end of the 52-inch side at the top and bottom. Draw a line connecting the top and bottom marks, creating three rectangles that are 54-by-15 inches, 54-by-22 inches and 54-by-15 inches. Fold the cardboard along the drawn lines. This will create the top and the two long sides of the rectangular-shaped box that is the insulating cover.

2. Attach the two short sides of the rectangular-shaped box that is the insulating cover. If attic opening is 54-by-25 inches, attach the 15-by-25-inch pieces of cardboard with duct tape to the open sides of the folded 54-by-55-inch piece. If the attic opening is 54-by-22 inches, cut the 15-by-25-inch pieces of cardboard down to 15-by-22 inches, and attach the pieces with duct tape to the open sides of the folded 52-by-54-inch piece. The entire shape of the cover is now complete.

3. Place the insulation inside the open bottom of the box cover so that it is against the 54-by-25-inch top. Cover the insulation with plastic wrap, and use duct tape to seal the sides of the plastic wrap to the inside of the box cover. If the attic opening is 54-by-22 inches, cut the insulation to fit.

4. Open the attic door and apply foam weatherstrip tape all around the top of the folding attic stairway frame.

5. Place the box cover on top of the weatherstrip tape as you leave the attic. The open bottom will allow for your pull-down ladder once the door is closed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot find cardboard that fits the necessary size recommendations, cut several cardboard boxes and tape them together with duct tape to achieve the proper size. In the end, it is the seal itself that insulates the attic pull-down ladder, not the type of cardboard being used.

• Taping a layer of plastic wrap over the insulation allows you to move the "box cover" without having to touch the fiberglass insulation, which normally causes irritation when it is in contact with skin. Other types of insulation can be used if there is cause for concern.

References

• Pre-cut Attic-Door Insulator Kits