Install Structural Cover Over Sloped Stairwell Ceiling in West Springfield, MA
Challenge
When a stairwell has a sloped ceiling forming a big triangular space that is open to the attic, it creates a heat loss (winter) and heat gain (summer) problem in your home. the sidewalls of the open well into the attic are hard to insulate and often leak air from the walls of your house into the attic. The stairwell ceiling radiates heat from the house in to the attic, and from the hot attic to the house in the summer. Insulating the attic properly is not possible with this big stairwell hole in it. Results - more uncomfortable home, higher heating and cooling costs.
Solution
A cover made of wood is installed over your stairwell at the attic floor level. Appropriate framing and wood sheets are used. The cover is sealed with expanding polyurethane foam to make it airtight. Blown insulation can now be installed over the attic floor and the stairwell cover. The sturdy cover doesn't pose a fall hazard if someone crawls into the attic in the future. Results - less air leakage, less unwanted heat loss and heat gain, and the attic can be insulated properly.
