Attic Staircase Covers are not created the same!
SolarRoyal has been carefully watching the market regarding the perceived value and offerings regarding attic staircase covers. The facts are very straight forward and easy to misunderstand when installers and consumers are not paying attention. We get frequently asked “is there a difference” – “why does one cost $less” and “is there really a difference”.
The answer is YES – there is a huge difference and you definitely get what you pay for.
For example: The Owens Corning Attic Stairway Insulator <click-here> product works well when expectations are as stated “highly reflective foil for attic stair openings. The product is lightweight and easy to install and remove and helps reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer” so the key is “helps reduce heat loss” which makes sense as it is also referred to as an ATTIC-TENT. To install the unit you need to pop open the box and the unit makes like a tent. The tent sits on top of whatever is around your attic staircase opening and as stated “helps reduce heat loss“. THAT’S IT! but that radiant heat loss is the smallest issue. According to the Home Ventilation Institute not sealing the attic staircase is like losing one to two air registers to your conditioned space.
WHAT? If you are just laying something over the attic staircase cover hole, you’re not doing the most important step which is SEALING THE AIR LEAK COMPLETELY. You will lose a tremendous amount of conditioned air because of the leakage and the leakage not being sealed.
So if one installs an attic tent then you can expect some radiant protection but you are still losing a tremendous amount of conditioned air TO-and-FROM the attic. So sure (≈$60 – $95) for a ATTIC-TENT will help some but not really much or nothing like a product designed to seal the attic staircase opening like the PowerJolt Attic Staircase Cover which not only offers dual layers of radiant-barrier and insulated cover but comes in three sizes so that installers and users can completely seal the opening so no conditioned air is lost. We believe if you going to do it, do it right!
Please give us a call or chat if you have any questions and we will be happy to explain.
