INSULATIONVANCOUVER
// Attic

Attic Air Sealing

Seal the gaps that let your heated air escape. Air sealing is the essential first step before insulation, stopping drafts and reducing energy waste by up to 20%.

// What Is Air Sealing

INSULATION'S ESSENTIAL PARTNER

Imagine wearing a sweater with holes in it. No matter how thick the sweater, the wind blows right through those holes and you stay cold. Your attic works the same way. Without air sealing, warm air from your home rises through every gap in the attic floor — around pipes, wires, light fixtures, and the attic hatch — bypassing your insulation entirely.

Studies show that air leakage accounts for 25-40% of heating and cooling costs in a typical home. Sealing these gaps before insulating is the most cost-effective step in any attic upgrade, yet it is the step most commonly skipped by contractors.

We include air sealing assessment and recommendations with every insulation project, and we perform the sealing work before any new insulation goes in. This approach maximizes your energy savings and ensures your insulation investment performs as intended.

// Common Air Leak Points

WHERE YOUR HOME LEAKS

PLUMBING PENETRATIONS

Gaps around plumbing vent stacks and pipes that pass through the attic floor are some of the largest air leak points in most homes.

ELECTRICAL PENETRATIONS

Wires, junction boxes, and recessed light housings create numerous small gaps that add up to significant air leakage.

ATTIC HATCH

The attic access hatch or pull-down stairway is often the single largest air leak in the home. We insulate and weatherstrip it for a tight seal.

DUCT CONNECTIONS

HVAC ducts, bathroom fan ducts, and kitchen exhaust ducts that pass through the attic floor often have large gaps around them.

TOP PLATES

The top of interior walls where they meet the attic floor often has gaps that allow conditioned air to flow up through wall cavities into the attic.

CHIMNEY & FLUE

Chimneys and furnace flues require special fire-rated sealing materials. We use metal flashing and high-temperature caulk to seal these critical gaps.

// Attic Hatch Upgrades

THE ATTIC HATCH PROBLEM

The attic access hatch is typically the largest single air leak in your home. Most hatches are a thin piece of drywall sitting loosely in a frame with no insulation, no weatherstripping, and no seal. Warm air pours through the gaps 24 hours a day during heating season.

Our attic hatch upgrade includes a rigid insulation panel bonded to the hatch cover (R-20 or higher), weatherstripping around the frame for an airtight seal, and latches to hold the cover firmly against the weatherstrip. This single upgrade can noticeably reduce drafts near the attic access and lower heating costs.

// FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is air sealing and why does it matter?
Air sealing is the process of closing gaps, cracks, and openings in your attic floor that allow conditioned air to escape from your living space into the attic. Even with excellent insulation, air leaks can account for 25-40% of a home's heat loss. Air sealing before insulating maximizes your energy savings.
Should air sealing be done before insulation?
Yes. Air sealing should always be done before new insulation is installed. Once insulation is in place, it covers the penetrations and makes them much harder to access and seal. This is why we always inspect and seal before insulating.
What materials are used for air sealing?
We use a combination of expanding foam, caulk, metal flashing, and fire-rated materials depending on the location and type of penetration. Each material is selected for the specific application to ensure a durable, safe seal.
How much can air sealing save on energy bills?
Air sealing combined with insulation can reduce heating costs by 20-40%. The air sealing alone typically accounts for 10-20% of the total savings, which is why we include it as a standard part of our insulation service.
Do you also seal and insulate the attic hatch?
Yes. The attic hatch is one of the biggest air leak points in most homes. We install an insulated, weatherstripped hatch cover that provides an airtight seal when closed. This is included in our attic hatch upgrade service.
// Get Started

Stop the Air Leaks

Get a free attic inspection to identify where your home is losing air. We seal before we insulate for maximum savings.

CALL 604-700-8588REQUEST A QUOTE