Practical solution (Attic Stairs Insulation & Air Sealing)

[resercon]

http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11410

This diagram for a box to cover pull down stairs is designed for applications where the stairs when folded up rise above the attic floor. There are instances where the opening for the pull down stairs is deep enough so that when the stairs are folded up it does not rise above the top of the opening. In this case there is no need for the box. Rather a sheet of rigid insulation to cover the opening at the top is sufficient.

The lip on this diagram is not so much for air sealing as is it for centering the box over the opening. Far too often when the cover is removed for access and then replaced when leaving the attic, the cover does not cover the opening completely. The lips are designed to avoid this problem.

Air sealing ideally for this area should be on the panel of the pull down stairs that when closed is flush agaist the ceiling. Weather-stripping and even providing a latch on this this panel is best for this application.