How to Insulate a Crawl Space/Attic Door for Better Energy Efficiency
Is your crawl space or attic door letting cold air into your home? Insulating it is an easy and cost-effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency and save on heating costs during the colder months.
Materials Needed:
Foam panels (3/4"x13-5/8"x48")
#10 washer & wood screws
Pencil
3M Heavy Duty duct tape
Caulk
Rubber tubing
Door sweep
This is the access door to our crawl space which runs along the length of our bathroom.
The access door is in our closet which is fine except the fact that the crawl space has very little insulation and neither does the door.
As you can see, using the 'flame test,' it's clear that the door is slightly crooked, creating gaps at the top and bottom that let cold air seep into our closet.
My husband and I had tried several quick fixes for insulation in the past, but none of them worked as we hoped.
Finally, I decided it was time to tackle the problem properly and insulate the door the right way.
1. Remove Old Insulation
I began by removing the old stick-on insulation using a putty knife.
2. Mark the Contact Points Between the Door Frame & Door
Next, I went inside the crawl space, closed the door, and used a pencil to mark where the door frame met the door, creating a reference line (Red line).
I bought a pack of foam panels, each measuring 3/4” x 13-5/8” x 48”, with six panels in total.
For this project, I only used three panels to insulate the door.
3. Measure the Door Width
I measured the width of the door.
4. Prepare the Panels
A - I marked one foam panel
B - Drew a straight line
C - Cut using a utility knife
5. Attach the Insulation Panels
To secure the panels in place, I used painter’s tape to temporarily affix them to the door.
A - I drilled a pilot hole
B - Using a #10 washer & wood screw
C & D - I attached the panel to the door making the screw snug but not too tight.
I used a washer to ensure the screw didn't go all the way through the foam.
Once the door was securely fastened, I removed the painter's tape.
6. Insulate the Door Handle
For the inside door handle:
A & B - I measured and cut foam pieces to fit around the handle.
C - I secured the pieces in place using white 3M Heavy Duty duct tape.
D - To ensure everything stayed in place, I added extra tape for a tighter hold.
Next, I continued adding foam panels down the door.
Where the panels met, I sealed the seams with duct tape.
The red circles show where I secured the panels with screws."
7. Time for Caulk
Once all of the panels were in place, I caulked around the edges of the panels.
8. Add Rubber Tubing
While the caulk dried, I did the following:
A & B - I added rubber tubing around the edge of the door
C - It is adhesive and the back peels right off
D - I attached it around the inside edge of the door
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9. Add a Doorsweep
To finish off do the following:
A - I used a doorsweep
B - This is also adhesive and the backing peels off
C - I applied the sweep to the bottom of the door
Insulating a Crawl Space/Attic Door for Improved Energy Efficiency
Now my door is completely sealed and as you can see by the “flame test”, no air is leaking through.
I’m ready for you, Old Man Winter!
Resources for this project:
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Comments
Join the conversation
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In your case, I am wondering whether it would have been faster, and easier to cover the inside the closet walls with the foam panels to insulate the walls, rather
than the door. I am thinking that there must be some kind of removable glue, such as post note pad type glue to attach the panels to the walls and ceiling, of your closet and then tape the panel joints.
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The air was and is coming from the door opening. That's what she wanted to stop to hold in the heat in her closet and bed room. Now for extra insulation I would do that around the bathroom walls to help keep the bathroom from getting cold. I feel there is nothing more uncomfortable is a bathroom. We use the bathroom more then what we think. Beside going potty we shower brush our teeth. S ok me use the bathroom to do make up hair. Men use to shave and do their hair if they have hair. Wash hands and so on. It amazing how much we really are in the bathroom. For me I hide in here from people when I need a few min of quiet lol.
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I would only suggest using the chaulk alone to hold the foam panels on instead of screwing them on.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
My front door does not match up to the frame very well. And I can see daylight from every side. I'm a renter, so I'm limited to some options. Is it even possible to do something like this to my front door and have it look nice? I have tried all store products and nothing stays for very long.
We have a bilco door...horrible...not insulated...any ideas.?
What is the best, most economical and easiest way to insulate a 48” Deep x 30’ Wide x 70’ Long house crawl space. The entire floor in the crawl is smooth concrete.