--- title: What Does Air-Sealing An Attic Mean? description: What does it mean to air-seal an attic? Discover more about attic ventilation, encapsulation, air leakage, and air-sealing the attic floor. image: https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/What%20Does%20Air-Sealing%20An%20Attic%20Mean.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-attic-air-sealing#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. Search for topics or resources Close Search [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) Pricing 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 Services Residential Insulation 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 [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) [Get A Quote](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) [«  View All Posts](https://scsfoam.com/blog) # What Does Air-Sealing An Attic Mean? April 28th, 2025 3 min read By [Kilian Agha](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha) ![](https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/What%20Does%20Air-Sealing%20An%20Attic%20Mean.jpg) You've heard that your attic needs an airtight seal. You've read claims that air-sealing your attic means lower energy costs and a more comfortable home. But what does it really mean to air-seal an attic? If an airtight seal delivers those results, what will it take to get one? South Central Services has insulated hundreds of homes in and around Greencastle, Pennsylvania. Our team is passionate about air-sealing and seeing air-seals installed correctly. By the end of this article, you'll understand: - How to get an air-seal - The goal of an air-seal in the attic - What it means to have an effective air-seal - The benefits of an effective air-seal upstairs ## Air-Sealing An Attic Refers To Encapsulation Or Floor Insulation. No matter where your attic is insulated, you can get an air-seal upstairs. [There are two places where your attic can be insulated](https://scsfoam.com/blog/insulate-attic-floor-or-ceiling): - The underside of the roof and the gables - The attic floor Depending on where your attic is insulated and air-sealed, [you may or may not have ventilation in your attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/do-attics-need-ventilation). Let's examine what each of these air-sealing options mean in more detail. ### 1. Encapsulation Cuts Off Your Attic From Ventilation. If your attic is encapsulated, the underside of the roof and the gables are insulated and air-sealed. The attic is considered part of the [conditioned space](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-glossary#building-envelope-definition), so the attic itself does not vent to the outside. ![A thumbnail for a video of closed cell spray foam being installed in an attic in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/Attic%20Encapsulation%20Thumbnail.jpg?width=711&height=400&name=Attic%20Encapsulation%20Thumbnail.jpg) When an attic is encapsulated, the home could have a ventilated roof deck. However, the attic space itself is not open to outdoor air exchange. ### 2. Floor Insulation Allows Your Attic To Vent Air From Outside. If your attic floor is insulated, then the floor has an airtight seal and insulation product installed. The attic is not considered part of the conditioned space of the home. That layer of insulation on the floor forms the house's thermal envelope, like a "lid" for the home. Both the attic and the roof deck are open to ventilation. ![An attic floor insulated with closed cell spray foam insulation.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Service%20Area%20Pages/Newburg%20PA%20Attic%20Floor%20Insulation%20(2).jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Newburg%20PA%20Attic%20Floor%20Insulation%20(2).jpg) It doesn't matter if outside air enters an attic with floor insulation, because the [air-sealing on the floor](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-to-seal-attic-air-leaks) stops any air from entering the living space. ## The Goal Of Air-Sealing Is To Stop Random Air Leakage. Whether you insulate the floor or encapsulate the whole attic, the point is to stop air leakage. Whatever part of your home is conditioned (meaning, you pay money for the air in that space) should not be open to random ventilation. Most attics do not have an air-seal. In fact, the majority of new construction attics we see have either no insulation upstairs or a thin layer of fibrous insulation. Fibrous materials like [blown-in and batt](https://scsfoam.com/blog/is-blown-in-better-than-batts) cannot air-seal. Air can easily pass through these materials. > An attic can still be insulated with an affordable material like blown-in. However, it must be paired with a separate air-seal. [Traditional insulations do not automatically air-seal.](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-spray-foam-insulation-is-best) ### What’s So Bad About Air Leakage? There's a reason why our team focuses so much on air-sealing. The traditional way of building, which leaves homes open to random air leakage, causes many problems. When air can randomly leak, your temperatures inside are inconsistent. Air leakage can lead to draftiness in the house as air exchanges. Your HVAC senses the inconsistencies and works harder to make up the differences. A home with no air-seal is less comfortable and less energy efficient. ## Not Every Contractor Does Air-Sealing Right. One of the greatest frustrations about air-sealing is the lack of consistent guidelines or training methods. If you get a quote from an insulation contractor, you may see a line item for air-sealing. Air-sealing can be a somewhat generic line on these quotes. Despite it being listed, the installer may not deliver an effective air-seal. ![A spray foam insulation crew member installing professional can foam as an air-sealing product.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Best%20Air%20Sealing%20Products.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Best%20Air%20Sealing%20Products.jpg) We see this often in new construction homes. In our area, houses built in the last 2 to 5 years have insulation failures. On paper, the insulation package looks effective and should be working fine. In application, the system fails. > You could compare this to running your vacuum. In order to actually vacuum up the dirt in your home, you have to pay attention to what you're doing. Running the vacuum over the floor without looking will result in a poorly done job, even with a great vacuum. Often, air-sealing is done "in theory," but the actual results are ineffective. Working with an insulation contractor who understands air-sealing and will deliver an effective air-seal is vital. Air-sealing is one of the least expensive and most impactful parts of an insulation package when it is done correctly. ## An Air-Sealed Attic Is More Energy Efficient. When you air-seal your attic, you stop the convection of heat in either direction. Hot air cannot press through the attic in the summer or escape through the roof in the winter. Stopping the convection of heat leads to numerous benefits, including: - More consistent temperatures inside - Fewer air exchanges in the house - Increased comfort throughout the year - Improved energy efficiency An airtight seal upstairs means saving money on your energy bills, supporting the longevity of your HVAC system, and touching the thermostat less often. ## The Bottom Line About Air-Sealing Your Attic To air-seal your attic, you can either install an air-seal on the attic floor on the underside of the roof. Air-sealing your attic stops convection heat transfer, which makes for lower energy costs and a more comfortable home. You don't have to use a product like spray foam to air-seal your attic. You can pair an air-sealing method alongside more traditional fibrous insulation like batt or blown-in. Now that you know what it means to air-seal an attic, your next step is to: - [Learn if you can air-seal your attic yourself](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-you-air-seal-your-attic-yourself) - [Estimate the cost of air-sealing your attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/attic-floor-air-sealing-cost) - [Discover if your old attic insulation can be reused after air-sealing](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-insulation-be-reused) [![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=AVxigLIzvBlDKg%2B23yC94Jx4zT5WCdElR31TpeoCi6mqwZKnuMjH1hSq50IiwBjhBZnDfGcsPbPmqhM4X%2FR2DIZVsnRzrDHIykbpH34VGtv93G%2B7Oi1DRkHrXv9eN8j4AkOP3RVbckQo6CDm8ONXizjlpf5MhVfwN7tjE3BXytg8XIIgqM%2BO3fX1nJfE7m9rIlBO1Yx9mpIqQhQE&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) ### [Can You Air-Seal Your Attic Yourself? May 9th, 2025|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-you-air-seal-your-attic-yourself) ### [Will Spray Foam Rot My Roof? April 30th, 2025|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/will-spray-foam-rot-my-roof) ### [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? March 26th, 2025|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/will-attic-insulation-make-a-difference) ### [Is Spray Foam Insulation Bad For Your Roof? January 22nd, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/is-spray-foam-bad-for-your-roof) ### [Why You Should Remove Existing Insulation When Insulating Your Attic December 18th, 2024|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-remove-existing-insulation-when-insulating-your-attic) ### [Which Blown-In Insulation Is Best For Attics? September 4th, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-blown-in-attic-insulation) ### [Should I Air-Seal My Attic? August 23rd, 2024|7 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/should-i-air-seal-my-attic) ### [Can You Spray Foam Insulation On Ductwork? August 14th, 2024|2 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-you-spray-foam-on-ductwork) ### [Does Blown-In Insulation Settle? July 22nd, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/does-blown-in-insulation-settle) ### [Pros And Cons Of Blown-In Cellulose July 17th, 2024|5 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/blown-in-cellulose-pros-cons) ### [How Much Does Attic Insulation Cost? June 19th, 2024|8 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-much-does-attic-insulation-cost) ### [Does Attic Insulation Need To Be Removed Before Installing Spray Foam? February 7th, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/does-attic-insulation-need-removed-before-installing-spray-foam) ### [Should I Insulate My Attic Floor Or Ceiling? January 8th, 2024|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/insulate-attic-floor-or-ceiling) ### [Spray Foaming Your Attic with South Central Services: What To Expect November 6th, 2023|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/attic-spray-foam-with-south-central-services) ### [Why Choose South Central Services To Insulate Your Attic October 25th, 2023|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/insulate-your-attic-with-south-central-services) ### [Cost Of Attic Spray Foam Insulation In Pennsylvania October 16th, 2023|5 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-cost-attic-pa) ### [How To Insulate An Attic With Spray Foam October 11th, 2023|6 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-attic-insulation-how-to) ### [Does My Attic Need Insulation? 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" : "2025-06-11T17:36:47.500Z", "datePublished" : "2025-04-28T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "What Does Air-Sealing An Attic Mean?", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-attic-air-sealing", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/branding/SCS-Updated-Logo_Horizontal-2048x397.png" }, "name" : "South Central Services" } } ```