Roofing Article

Consumer Roof Info

What's that hole in my ceiling?

Attic Hatch Access Facts and Information
by Mike Hess

Attic hatch access is often overlooked and many times is just an unused hole in the ceiling. It provides access to attic space underneath the roof and is a necessary part of your home. The attic hatch can usually be located in an upstairs hallway, in a closet, or even in the garage.

The attic hatch can simply be a hole with a wooden frame and a cover panel that fits snuggly inside it. The cover panel is easily pushed out of the way to allow entry via a ladder. Other types of hatches include a staircase which folds down from the ceiling providing a more convenient way to gain access to the attic.

Is your attic hatch insulated?

We encounter a large number of attic hatches that are not insulated and are a major source of thermal migration. With non-insulated hatches, cold attic air flows down into the home as heated air from the home rises up to replace it. This can be a waste of energy, and a waste of your money going towards higher heating/cooling bills.

Thermal migration through uninsulated attic hatches can cause problems to your roof system. Heated, humidified air can seep into your attic and condense on the cold underside of the roof deck. Left unchecked, it can cause premature failure of the decking, shingles, or both.

Attic condensation can also freeze during periods of very cold weather. Even on the coldest of days, frost on the underside of the deck can melt and drip downward when the sun heats the shingles above it. Condensation of this type can be so severe that the moisture will actually stain the ceiling making it appear that the roof might be leaking.

Some simple steps can solve the problem of thermal migration through the attic hatch. Check the trim boards that frame the opening and make sure the fit is tight. Apply a caulk seal to any voids that would allow air to escape through the frame. Be sure that the hatch cover fits snuggly into the framing. Lastly, insulate the backside of the hatch cover. Secure fiberglass batt or foam insulation to the cover using adhesive, nails or screws. Be sure not to crush or compress the insulation as this reduces the insulating value.

The attic hatch is vital for a proper roof inspection!

In the roofing industry, the ability to get into the attic is vital. It provides us with the opportunity to thoroughly inspect all interior aspects of your roof system. A professional evaluation of the attic conditions including the insulation, ventilation, and condition of the decking and structure is necessary in order to generate an accurate proposal that will address all of your roofing needs.

Without that hole in the ceiling, you may end up paying for roof work that does not solve your problems.