The 7 Best Attic Stairway Insulators

This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in January of 2019. The best part of being a parent is yelling at your kids for letting all the heat out. Your high utility bills might not be all their fault, though, especially if you have an attic. Treated air can escape through the stairway door, costing you both money and comfort. These insulators nip that problem in the bud, as they seal off the entry points to keep your home nice and cozy all year round. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Owens-Corning 541799

The Owens-Corning 541799 (appx. $60) comes pre-cut in a standard size designed to fit most attic openings, so you shouldn't have to spend much time trimming it to meet your needs. If you want a quick, no-fuss remedy for drafts and heat loss, this is the best place to start.

Can be installed in minutes
Foil on both sides
Thick and reassuringly heavy

2. Energy Leads Pull Down

If you're tired of getting a faceful of loose insulation, dirt, debris, and who knows what else every time you open the attic, the Energy Leads Pull Down (about $70) helps to keep the entryway clean in addition to safeguarding your valuable treated air.

Folds over to suit smaller doors
Edges can be caulked to seal them
Flexible and easy to manipulate

3. Energy Wise Tent

The Energy Wise Tent (about $46) does more than just lie over the entrance to your attic; it creates a chamber in which two layers of aluminum foil redirect heat back where it belongs. Its performance is not affected negatively by moisture or humidity.

Extremely reflective surface
Nontoxic materials
Can combine with other insulation

4. Magicfly XPE

The front opening on the Magicfly XPE (appx. $40) dips down so that gaining entry is more convenient — and that can be a real lifesaver when you're struggling to balance on a thin ladder. After all, saving money on energy costs doesn't help much if you run up exorbitant medical bills.

High-quality stitching
Prevents condensation from pooling
Keeps pollutants contained

5. Remington Solar ThermoClimb

The Remington Solar ThermoClimb (appx. $150) is one of the thicker options out there, so the outside elements will need to work extra hard to get inside your home. It attaches using Velcro straps, making installation as straightforward and painless as possible.

Adjustable to fit most doors
Durable metal-coated fibers
On the expensive side

6. IMP SmartAttic

The IMP SmartAttic (appx. $59) conceals a layer of quarter-inch polyethylene foam in between two sides of aluminum, creating a considerable amount of heat retention. It's more complicated to set up than some of its counterparts, but that extra time will equal money over the long run.

Available in two sizes
Pairs well with solar fans
Poor-quality zippers

7. Duck Brand 286209

If you can put a tent together, you can install the Duck Brand 286209 (appx. $34), as it uses flexible rods inserted in the fabric to stay in place. Of course, given how complex some tents are nowadays, we don't know if that bit of information is reassuring or intimidating.

Good budget option
Lightweight and easy to reposition
Doesn't specify its r-value

Last updated by Quincy Miller

After getting his bachelor’s from the University of Texas, Quincy Miller moved out to Los Angeles, where he soon found work as a copywriter and researcher, specializing in health and wellness topics for a major online media brand. Quincy is also knowledgeable about home improvement, as he’s had extensive experience with everything from insulation to power tools to emergency room trips, sometimes in that order. Sharing a home with three dogs and a couple of cats has forced Quincy to learn as much as he can about pet supplies, animal nutrition and, most importantly, the best ways to tackle the mountains of fur that accumulate in every corner of your home.

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