--- title: Can You Air-Seal Your Attic Yourself? description: Is air-sealing your attic a reasonable DIY project? Learn more about what it would take to air-seal your attic yourself. image: https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Can%20You%20Air-Seal%20Your%20Attic%20Yourself.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-you-air-seal-your-attic-yourself#maincontent) [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) [![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20Classic.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20Classic.png) ![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20White.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20White.png)](https://scsfoam.com/) [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) Pricing - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebates](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) Services - Residential Insulation - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Construction Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) Learning Center - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) Open Search [Get A Quote](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) Search for topics or resources Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon. 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May 9th, 2025 4 min read By [Kilian Agha](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha) ![](https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Can%20You%20Air-Seal%20Your%20Attic%20Yourself.jpg) You want an air-seal in your attic. You've heard about the benefits of an airtight seal upstairs and want those benefits for your home. At the same time, you don't want to hire a professional to do the air-seal. It may not be within your budget, or you may prefer to do things yourself anyway. Is air-sealing an attic a reasonable DIY project? South Central Services has insulated hundreds of new and existing homes around Mercersburg, PA. We are passionate about insulation work being done right and want to empower homeowners to complete jobs with a larger margin for error. By the end of this article, you will know: - Why air-sealing your attic is a potential DIY project - The roadblocks you can run into when air-sealing DIY - What to keep in mind when doing your attic yourself - When to consider hiring a professional ## Air-Sealing Your Attic Could Be A DIY Project. Unlike some home improvement projects, air-sealing your attic is a reasonable DIY project. The majority of air leaks and penetrations in an attic can be sealed with [can foam](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-air-sealing-products). ![An attic floor with wires, air-sealed and prepped for blown-in insulation using can foam.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/7.30.24%20Blown-in%20prep%20(T).jpg?width=300&height=400&name=7.30.24%20Blown-in%20prep%20(T).jpg) Can foam is a stable, single-component foam. Unlike spray foam kits, can foam is a good option for DIY projects. There are no risks of unstable foam or off-gassing. While you'll need to purchase a significant number of cans, the total cost of the can foam is less than hiring a professional. DIY air-sealing gets more expensive when can light covers enter the equation. If you have any can lights protruding into your attic, those need to be tented. You can purchase generic can light covers from Lowe's or [Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tenmat-Recessed-Light-Cover-FF130E/204286308), just like the can foam. However, a single can light cover usually costs between $20 and $30. Costs can be driven up easily by the presence of many can lights upstairs. ![A can light cover in an attic.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/7.30.24%20Blown-in%20prep%20(2)%20(T)%20(1).jpg?width=300&height=400&name=7.30.24%20Blown-in%20prep%20(2)%20(T)%20(1).jpg) ## Not All Attics Are Easy To Do DIY Work In. While you could feasibly purchase and install all the materials necessary to air-seal your attic, your attic might not be ideal for DIY work. Let's examine the two biggest reasons why your attic might be challenging to air-seal on your own. ### 1. Attic Penetrations Can Cause Confusion For Proper Air-Sealing. There are more areas of air leakage in your attic than can lights, gaps, and cracks. Any penetration from your living space into your attic has air leak potential. [Anywhere air can travel through the house's ceiling should be appropriately air-sealed.](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-to-seal-attic-air-leaks) These penetrations can include plumbing vents, HVAC vents, flue pipes, electrical wires, chimneys, and light fixtures. Each of those penetrations needs to be sealed differently, even if each leak can be sealed by can foam. It doesn't matter how affordable and accessible can foam is if you aren't sure how to use it properly in certain cases. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a one-size-fits-all approach to each situation you might encounter. There are a variety of variables that can influence how to approach air-sealing each of these elements. > When air-sealing is done incorrectly, you risk either ineffectiveness or problems with the system that was air-sealed around. ### 2. Some Attics Are Difficult To Access & Work In. You may live in a home where the attic is easy to stand up and walk around in. However, your attic might be so narrow that you'll have to crawl. The slant of the roof, what portions of the floor support your weight, and the time of year all contribute to the work environment upstairs. ![Two installers at South Central Services insulating an attic with blown-in cellulose insulation.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/Installing%20Blown-In.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Installing%20Blown-In.jpg) > Attics can be exhausting to work in, especially in the summer months. The heat upstairs means sweating. Discomfort isn't a strong enough word to describe working in an attic in 130-degree heat. ## If You Air-Seal Your Attic, You'll Need To Insulate It, Too. If you opt to do a DIY air-seal, [you'll probably want to do the insulation DIY, as well](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-blown-in-be-installed-by-hand). Before you've installed your air-seal upstairs, you'll have removed the attic insulation. That insulation will need to be replaced with new blown-in. DIY attic insulation is also an option! You can rent a blowing machine from Lowe's or Home Depot if there's availability in a store near you. These machines often come with deals for free bags of blown-in with rental. ![Does Blown-In Need A Vapor Barrier-1](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Does%20Blown-In%20Need%20A%20Vapor%20Barrier-1.jpg?width=534&height=400&name=Does%20Blown-In%20Need%20A%20Vapor%20Barrier-1.jpg) Installing blown-in in an attic with one of these rental machines is not easy. It is incredibly time-consuming work. However, it is possible. Be certain to install the blown-in insulation to the appropriate R-value for your climate zone. Also, [do not reuse any blown-in you removed](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-insulation-be-reused) from your attic before air-sealing. Used blown-in insulation is not clean and should never be put into a blowing machine. ## You May Want To Hire A Professional Insulation Contractor. If none of the descriptions of DIY air-sealing frustration deterred you, you are likely in an ideal situation for air-sealing your attic yourself. However, if the idea of working long hours in a dark, hot attic doesn't appeal to you, consider hiring a professional contractor. You may want to work with a qualified installer for many reasons. These could include: - Insured insulation work - Limited accessibility upstairs - Sheer size of the attic - Peace of mind > If you do hire a professional, be sure to [work with a competent contractor](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources#checklist) who will deliver quality work. ## The Bottom Line About Air-Sealing Your Attic As A DIY Air-sealing an attic is a possible DIY project. The necessary tools, such as can foam and can light covers, can be purchased at home improvement stores. With realism, research, and determination, a homeowner could do DIY air-sealing and insulation upstairs. However, many attics have poor access or excessive numbers of can lights protruding upstairs. In many cases, it is more cost-effective and worthwhile to hire a professional. Hiring a contractor means insured results and less frustration for yourself. Now that you know that you could air-seal your attic floor yourself, your next step is to: - [Compare the costs of professional and DIY air-sealing upstairs](https://scsfoam.com/blog/attic-floor-air-sealing-cost) - [Learn more about your attic insulation options](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-attic-insulations) - [Discover why homeowners choose our team for their attic insulation](https://scsfoam.com/blog/insulate-your-attic-with-south-central-services) [![FREE ESTIMATE TOOL Attic Insulation Cost Estimate the cost of updating your attic insulation to blown-in or spray foam.  ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39735758/interactive-185716202074.png)](https://scsfoam.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLI20F%2FlMGxrd1XF8MRD9VjzmS%2BTObvb%2FOY7hvsp8VlFqmvh7apXo3WfOt4iGPCCrleh%2B%2FcnPzWtqjNVNsgT%2BzWfgBUjruDm69Lp%2BWrXj%2BwAPrrvSD7gxLNtHjkDFY0h5O4SKjKuQcjo7fphEcroR08zEKkCmlaLPYY%2FgTMDjifBlaUoYnhyEDV6lx5aHVS5xvgJ2DUezQ2g&webInteractiveContentId=185716202074&portalId=39735758) *Disclaimer: While we strive to publish information accurate to building science, local building codes and standards supersede our recommendations.* [Kilian Agha](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha) Kilian has co-owned and operated South Central Services for 8 years. He is passionate about community involvement. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, playing ice hockey, and going fishing with friends. Topics: [Attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/topic/attic) [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/blog/topic/air-sealing) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles ### [How To Seal Attic Air Leaks June 11th, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-to-seal-attic-air-leaks) ### [Do Attics Need Ventilation? May 19th, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/do-attics-need-ventilation) ### [Will Spray Foam Rot My Roof? April 30th, 2025|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/will-spray-foam-rot-my-roof) ### [What Does Air-Sealing An Attic Mean? April 28th, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-attic-air-sealing) ### [How Much Does Air-Sealing An Attic Cost? April 11th, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/attic-floor-air-sealing-cost) ### [Will Adding Attic Insulation Make A Difference? 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September 13th, 2023|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/does-my-attic-need-insulation) ### [Benefits Of Insulating Your Attic With Spray Foam September 8th, 2023|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/attic-spray-foam-benefits) ### [Best Insulations For Attics: Performance vs. Budget August 23rd, 2023|6 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-attic-insulations) Location 1574 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, PA 17225 Phone: [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) Connect With Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Central-Services-Insulation-100057064885687/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/scsfoam/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@scsfoam) - [info@scsfoam.com](mailto:info@scsfoam.com) Services - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Home Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) Pricing Information - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing Options](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebate Information](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) - [Pricing Articles](https://scsfoam.com/blog/tag/product-pricing) Proud Member of Cumberland Valley Business Alliance     Company - [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) - [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) - [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) - [Contact Us](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) - [Join Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team#hiring) - [Privacy Policy](https://scsfoam.com/privacy-policy) Learn More - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) © 2026 South Central Services All Rights Reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kilian Agha", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-11T17:46:10.484Z", "datePublished" : "2025-05-09T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Can You Air-Seal Your Attic Yourself?", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-you-air-seal-your-attic-yourself", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/branding/SCS-Updated-Logo_Horizontal-2048x397.png" }, "name" : "South Central Services" } } ```