Paper for Insulation?

cwgrl23 · #1 09/01/05, 04:12 PM

I live in a 25 year old ranch style home. With natural gas heating, the 37% increase in gas has me worried. Can I add insulation to the attic by using office paper? If I can, would it be better to use shreded paper or whole sheets. I can get either. What about cardboard? Would I be doing a good?

james dilley · #2 09/01/05, 04:33 PM

Newsprint was used years ago, But you must remember that its flameable.The paper they use in todays insulation is chemically treated.With fire retardent, Use the paper with care and good luck.

Wolf mom · #3 09/01/05, 05:01 PM

I think I'd call the electricity company, see if they give free analysis of where the house leaks most, then go from there. I found an easy fix was foam around electrical outlets. I bought a package of "already made" then used one as a pattern. Check to make sure it's fire retardent foam. Wndow frame leaks and doors are another easy fix.
Paper works, as James said, but that sounds like a major job espcially on a ranch style.
I'm looking at making quilted roman shades to cover my windows this winter if I can find out how to get them to go from the bottom up instead of top down like blinds.
Whatever you decide, best of luck!

mightybooboo · #4 09/01/05, 05:25 PM

I agree,check with your local utility,they often offer generous terms for attic insulation.

BooBoo

bearkiller · #5 09/01/05, 05:42 PM

Another thing you can do to help keep your home warm is to buy the foil backed foam insulation board and then cut panels to fit your window openings. Cover them with fabric so they are attractive and then put them in your windows in the evenings when it is cold. During the day you can remove them for light and visibility. I like how they keep my bedroom dark...I sleep better.

bearkiller

culpeper · #6 09/01/05, 05:49 PM

In Australia, there is a company which makes insulation material from paper, chemically treated to deter bugs, with a fire retardant added. The company is called Cool or Cosy if you want to look it up.

http://www.coolorcosy.com.au/qld/benefits.htm

Certainly I would not use untreated paper, or any flammable material in my home, as an insulator. The risks of overheating electrical wiring, and of attracting mice and rats which would just LOVE it for making nests in (and which would chew your wiring), are just too great.

Cyngbaeld · #7 09/01/05, 06:32 PM

There was a book put out by, I believe, the forestry service on insulating with sawdust. I found it in a library some years back and read it. They suggested insulating the attic with sawdust and claimed tests showed it attracted no more pests and was no more flammable than regular insulation.

gobug · #8 09/01/05, 07:42 PM

cellulose insulation is extremely economical, and when you buy it the big box stores usually loan you the blower for free. It is treated with boric acid to retard fire and is an excellent ceiling insulation. It would take forever to shred office paper and then it could go up like a match. Don't risk your life.

TwoAcresAndAGoat · #9 09/01/05, 07:49 PM

there are new products which includes Insulating Paint &* House Paint Additives

http://www.hytechsales.com/
http://www.insuladd.com/

I have never tried them but thought I would pass on the information, I am also thinking of painting my upstairs rooms with some.

peanutgreen · #10 09/01/05, 09:59 PM

You should check the price of fiberglass insulation. It would be safer than paper, easy to roll out, and not too expensive. If you know someone who does remodels, you might be able to get some used or leftover insulation from them for free. You could try using freecycle to get used fiberglass if they have it in your area. I don't think I would use paper unless it was a last resort. Good luck.

Oilpatch197 · #11 09/02/05, 03:13 AM

LOL paper? NO WAY! that stuff will burn your house down in no time!

Windy in Kansas · #12 09/02/05, 06:09 AM

My opinion is just my opinion---

A 25 year old home is still pretty new. To add improper insulation to it would greatly devalue the resale value. Therefore, proper insulation should be used.

Cellulose insulation is ground paper that has been treated for vermin resistance and fire retardant, and is an excellent insulation.

foxtrapper · #13 09/02/05, 06:54 AM

Whole sheets of paper stacked up each other would be a poor insulator. It would also be quite heavy.

Shredded paper would be better, but still not very good. The air pockets would be quite large and not isolated. It would also still be pretty heavy, though much lighter than whole sheets.

Cellulose insulation from Home Depot and the like is paper, but very fine. It makes a good insulator because the air pockets are very small and isolated. It is quite light. It's also darn cheap. Go look. They also rent the installation equipment.

cwgrl23 · #14 09/02/05, 07:50 AM

Thank you everyone for your replies! I will just put the paper in my garden which is what I had planned originally. I just though if it would work as insulation I would try!

As the house is only 25 years old, what is the likely hood that it really needs more insulation?

Grandmotherbear · #15 09/02/05, 08:54 AM

It's very good if you live in the South. Our house was built in1981 - and well insulated in the attic, and we had to re insulate in early 90s.

rambler · #16 09/02/05, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwgrl23

As the house is only 25 years old, what is the likely hood that it really needs more insulation?

How should we know? 100 different builders, 100 different ideas, 100 different 'price options'. Can be none to over-insulated. Likely you are somewhere in between.

Go in the attic, see what you have there. Type, thickness.

Look in your walls (through outlests, sill plate areas, etc.) see what you have there.

Adding some to the attic is often easy do-it-yourself, & often pays off over the years. But, need to know what is there to start off. Adding to the walls is more difficult unless you have none at all now.

--->Paul

dlangland · #17 09/03/05, 06:04 PM

I agree. Please don't do paper...fire hazard. When I lived in SD, 2 different times, dif properties and utility companies like my rural electric company gave free home energy audits to help determine whether more insulation was needed. It wouldn't hurt to call and ask. A couple really expensive things to do whether you insulate or not...those little foam things you put under your light and plug-in switch plates on your outside walls, and those rubber strip things you screw around the outside edge of your doors to stop the drafts. Sorry. I don't know the correct terminology for it.