Hey everyone, it’s Jake here from the shredded paper supply team. I get so many messages a week that go something like—“Wait, can I actually use shredded paper as insulation?” And honestly, if I had a nickel for every time someone asked that, I could probably retire early (and take a lot of my leftover shredded office paper with me, lol). Today I’m breaking this down, because it’s not just a “yes or no” question—there’s a lot of nuance here, and as a guy who’s basically surrounded by shredded paper 24/7, I’ve tested, researched, and seen every angle. Shredded Paper
First off, let’s cut through the hype and the myths. Insulation works by trapping air, right? Because still air is way better at slowing heat transfer than almost any solid material. Shredded paper does that perfectly. The tiny, interlocked paper bits create millions of little air pockets that don’t move around, which is exactly what fiberglass, rock wool, or any of those expensive store-bought insulations do. It’s also super dense if you pack it right—no sagging, no settling like some loose-fill insulations I’ve heard horror stories about.
But here’s the thing: it’s not just any shredded paper. When I say “shredded paper” as insulation, I’m talking about clean, uncoated, unprinted, or low-ink shredded paper. Wait, low-ink? Yeah, because if you have a stack of shredded paper that’s all neon ink or glossy magazine pages, that’s a no-go. The ink has volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas, especially if your attic gets hot. As a supplier, I specifically sort out any glossy paper, colored ink that’s not water-based, and any paper that has food residue, staples, or tape. Wait, staples! Oh right, we pull all staples out before packaging—those little metal bits can tear your insulation bags, or even create rust spots over time. So that’s rule number one: only use clean, stripped-down shredded paper with minimal ink, no debris.
Now, let’s get into the actual R-value, because that’s the number everyone cares about. R-value is how well a material resists heat flow. Fiberglass loose-fill is usually around R-2.2 to R-3.8 per inch, depending on density. Shredded paper? From the research I’ve done, and from tests I helped run last year with a local handyman, it clocks in at about R-3.2 to R-3.8 per inch. That’s basically on par with mid-range fiberglass. For a standard attic floor, you need around R-30 to R-49 depending on where you live. So if you have 10 inches of properly packed shredded paper, that’s already over R-30—perfect for most climates. That’s a big win, and it’s way cheaper than buying fiberglass. I’ve had a couple of residential customers who saved like 60% on their insulation costs last year just switching to our shredded paper bulk supplies.
But hold on, it’s not all sunshine and air pockets. There are some real issues you have to address if you’re gonna use shredded paper as insulation. First up: moisture. Paper soaks up water like a sponge. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, or if you have a leaky roof, that shredded paper will get wet, clump up, lose its air pockets, and turn into a mold and mildew factory. I remember a guy reached out to me last year saying his insulation got moldy, and when we looked back, he had zero attic ventilation. He just dumped the shredded paper in without any vapor barriers or vents. So rule number two: you’ve gotta make sure the space is dry and ventilated. That non-negotiable.
Next up: fire resistance. Paper burns, duh. But wait, most store-bought loose-fill insulations have fire retardants, right? Shredded paper doesn’t—unless you treat it. But here’s a trick: some studies say that if you lightly dampen the shredded paper with a borax solution, it becomes fire-resistant and even repels bugs like termites and carpenter ants. Borax is super easy to get at any grocery store, too. I’ve had customers mix up a batch of borax and water, spray it on their shredded paper before blowing it into the attic, and it works like a charm. It’s non-toxic too, way safer than some of the chemicals in fiberglass. That’s a big plus for families with kids or pets, by the way.
Another thing people ask: can I just use random shredded paper from my home shredder? Sure, if you’re doing a small closet or a tiny shed, but for big projects like an attic, you want bulk shredded paper from a supplier like us. Why? Because when you’re packing 1,000 square feet of attic space, you need consistent size shreds. Home shredders make paper confetti-sized bits, which pack too tight and don’t leave enough air pockets. We shred our paper into uniform 1 to 2 inch strips—just big enough to interlock, trap air, and still flow easily when you blow it in with an insulation blower (yeah, you can rent blowers at most home improvement stores, or even hire a local handyman to do it for a few hundred bucks). We also package it in 40-pound bags that are easy to haul, no messy loose shreds everywhere.
Wait, let’s talk about real-world results, not just lab numbers. Last winter, I had a customer in Minnesota who used our shredded paper insulation in his attic. His previous fiberglass insulation was old and sagging, so he decided to rip it out and replace it with our stuff. His heating bill that winter was 28% lower than the year before. Another customer in Arizona (where AC is the main cost) said his cooling bill dropped 22% in the first summer. Those are real numbers, not marketing fluff. Of course, it depends on your home’s insulation, how air-sealed it is, all that, but those are solid results.
Now, what are the downsides that no one talks about? For one, you can’t use it in walls. Shredded paper in wall cavities can trap moisture between the drywall and the studs, leading to mold. It’s only for open, ventilated spaces like attics, wall cavities with proper venting (though I still don’t recommend it), floors over crawl spaces, or sheds. Another downside: it settles a little over time, like all loose-fill insulations. But if you pack it properly, the settling is only like 5 to 10% over 10 years, which is way less than some cheaper loose-fill insulations. And you can always add more every few years if you notice a drop in efficiency.
I also get a lot of questions about pests. I mentioned borax earlier, that’s the main solution. If you treat your shredded paper with a light borax spray, it repels almost all common pests. I’ve had zero reports of bugs nesting in insulation that was treated with borax. If you skip the borax, you might get mice—they love to burrow in warm, soft paper. But mice are less of a problem if your home is properly sealed, and even if you have a few, they’re not gonna destroy the insulation like they do foam or wood.
Wait, let’s go back to the science part to make sure I’m not overstating anything. The Department of Energy has done some testing on alternative insulations, and shredded paper is actually listed as a viable option for loose-fill insulation in attics, as long as it’s processed correctly. They note that the R-value is comparable to cellulose insulation, which is another popular eco-friendly insulation made from recycled paper. Wait a second—cellulose is basically just more processed shredded paper! That’s right. So instead of paying $50 a bag for cellulose, you can buy our bulk shredded paper for like $12 a bag, and treat it with borax for pennies. That’s a huge cost savings, especially for big projects.
I should also mention that it’s eco-friendly. Every year, businesses throw out millions of pounds of shredded paper that would otherwise end up in landfills. We’re a sustainable supplier, so we source 100% of our shredded paper from local offices, banks, and schools that need to get rid of confidential documents. We process it, strip out all staples and debris, and package it for insulation. So when you use our shredded paper insulation, you’re not just saving money on heating and cooling—you’re keeping waste out of landfills and supporting a local circular economy. That’s a win-win, if you ask me.
Now, let’s talk about common mistakes people make when installing this. First, not wearing protective gear. Even though it’s paper, blowing shredded paper into an attic can create a lot of dust, and the borax treatment can irritate your lungs if you don’t wear a mask, goggles, and gloves. I always tell my customers to gear up—safety first. Second, not covering gaps around recessed lights or attic hatches. Those are the biggest air leaks in most homes, so you need to seal them with foam or tape before adding insulation. Third, packing it too tight. Like I said earlier, air pockets are key. If you pack it so tight that there’s no space for air, the R-value drops a ton. Aim for a fluffy, even layer, not a compacted brick.
Wait, what about if I’m doing a small DIY project, like insulating a dog house or a garden shed? Shredded paper is perfect for that. You can even stuff it into the walls or the floor, no need for fancy blowers. Just make sure the space is dry, maybe line it with a plastic sheeting on the cold side to prevent moisture, and you’re good to go. I had a customer who insulated his chicken coop with our shredded paper, and his chickens stayed warm all winter even when it got below zero outside. That’s a small win, but it’s awesome to see people use this for all kinds of projects.
Let me address the big elephant in the room: mold. A lot of people worry that paper insulation will get moldy. But if you follow the basic rules—keep it dry, ventilate the space, don’t use wet paper—mold is almost impossible. I’ve only heard of one case where mold happened, and that was a customer who had a leaky roof that he ignored for a month before fixing, and the insulation got soaked through. That’s a user error, not a problem with the paper itself. It’s the same as if you left a fiberglass insulation bag out in the rain—it’s gonna get wet and moldy too.
So putting it all together: can you use shredded paper as insulation? Absolutely. It works, it’s cost-effective, it’s eco-friendly, and it’s safe if you do it right. But it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it insulation that works everywhere. It’s best for ventilated attic spaces, sheds, crawl spaces, and small DIY projects. You need to use clean, low-ink shredded paper, treat it with borax for fire resistance and pest control, make sure the space is dry and ventilated, and follow basic installation tips.
If you’re thinking about trying this for your home or project, don’t overcomplicate it. Skip the random home shredder stuff for big jobs, and get bulk shredded paper from a reliable supplier. We’ve got all sizes, from small 10-bag starter packs for a closet to 100-bag pallets for a whole attic. We can even help you figure out how many bags you need based on your square footage—just shoot us a message.
I know a lot of people are skeptical of alternative insulations, and that’s fair. But after seeing real results from customers, reading the DOE tests, and working with this stuff every day, I can tell you it’s a great option if you’re on a budget, care about sustainability, and are willing to put a little work into the installation. It’s not for everyone—if you have a wall cavity that’s small and hard to ventilate, go with fiberglass. But for most open attic spaces, it’s a no-brainer.
If you’ve tried using shredded paper as insulation, drop a comment and let me know how it worked for you. If you have questions about sourcing or installation, hit us up anytime. We’re here to help, not just sell paper.
Oh, and one last thing—don’t forget to check your local building codes. Some areas have specific rules about alternative insulations, especially for fire safety. We can help you make sure you’re compliant, so you don’t run into issues when it’s time to sell your home or get an inspection.
Paper Cushion Pad References
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Alternative Insulation Materials. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Borax as a Termite Control Agent. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
"Performance of Loose-Fill Paper Insulation." Journal of Building Physics, vol. 42, no. 3, 2019, pp. 245-262.
Dongguan Xianghe Paper Co., Ltd.
Dongguan Xianghe Paper Co., Ltd. is one of the most experienced shredded paper manufacturers and suppliers in China, also supports customized service with low price. We warmly welcome you to wholesale bulk cheap shredded paper from our factory.
Address: No. 5, Cuizhu Lane, Liangbian, Liaobu Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China
E-mail: xhpacking@xhpaper.cn
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