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Heating & Air Conditioning Home Repair Bedroom

Attic Access Suggestions (Panel or Access Door)

5 years ago

Hello Houzz Readers!

Needing to install a small 14" x 24" access point in one of our Jack and Jill bedrooms to gain access to a section of our attic. We do not need (or want) to install a traditional attic ladder door. The real purpose is to gain access to this section of the attic in the event there is any leaks and/or maintenance needed for the A/C units that are mounted above on the roof. So, not sure how much noise may travel through this opening, which would lead into one of the children bedrooms.

Solutions I wanted to send to the discussion board.

1) Install an inexpensive flush mounted panel (much like what is used for electrical panels (pics below)

2) Install a similarly priced flush mounted access panel door (swings open 90 degrees)

Neither are insulated, but I am not incredibly concerned about that. Really looking for something that is most appropriate that isn't an eye sore and won't break the bank.

THANKS!

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Comments (5)

weedmeister
5 years ago
I have something similar in a closet. 24x24 I think. Basically a piece of gypsum held in place by trim boards attached to the ceiling. There is also a piece of insulation sitting on top of it. It just lifts up into the attic space.
graywings123
5 years ago
I have the same as weedmeister but mine is a piece of plywood with the insulation glued on top.
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We are installing a high efficiency gas fireplace that also serves as a source of heat for the upstairs. We need to provide access through the tiled fireplace surround to the heating vent assembly that goes upstairs and the gas union on the left side of the fireplace. My solution is to use three custom size recessed doors from Acudor. See example of their recessed access door below. From their specifications the combination of door panel, door frame and the air gap between them appears to be 3/16", which would dictate the grout line width for the entire fireplace surround. We plan on using 18x18 porcelain tile cut down to fit the design shown below. We thought we would start on the door panel side first to make sure the grout lines coincide with the access doors, and then do the face of the fireplace surround. Below is a picture showing the side panel with scrap wood installed to show the location of the framing for the Acudor recessed access doors. We used a story pole to determine the location of the framing for the doors. Does anyone here have experience with installing these types of access doors in tiled surfaces? Are we on the right path? Comments appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and consider my questions.
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kudzu9
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1/2" thick plywood panel with an A side that's facing down and painted to match. Glue a piece of Styrofoam insulation panel to the attic side to deal with heat loss and noise transmission. If you want to make it even better, install foam weather stripping on the top of the trim that supports the panel: this will help prevent drafts and heat exchange between the attic and the conditioned space.
John Deaux
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks all!!!
ionized_gw
5 years ago
How are you going to support the thing and make it so you support yourself when crawling through? Are you planning to cut through the drywall and stick in the plastic trim?

Attic stair, scuttles, and knee wall (doors) are notorious sources of air leaks and poor insulation in older homes. New designs incorporate insulation and air sealing, but there are some good retrofit solutions. The least expensive for attic stairs and scuttles is to build a foam board box with a lightweight bar running through the middle to act as a handle to lift it out of the way when removing it. The lower edge incorporates air sealing. There are also zipper bags that can be stapled into place to provide air sealing.

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