Pipe insulation is a protective layer that is wrapped around pipes to maintain their temperature. This layer also helps to prevent any damage to the pipes due to external elements. Pipe insulation is commonly used in homes for water pipes, gas pipes and pipes of HVAC systems.
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Pipe insulation is made of materials like foam, rubber or fiberglass, that help to minimize heat loss. As a result, a constant temperature is maintained within the pipes. Due to this feature, lesser energy is utilized to heat or cool the fluid running in the pipes and you save on your utility bills.
Additionally, pipe insulation prevents the formation of water droplets outside the pipes. Otherwise, these droplets can lead to rusting or mold growth, which can damage the pipes over time.
Hot water pipes should always be insulated. It helps to retain heat for a longer period of time. Insulation also helps minimize the noise coming from pipes.
Polyurethane foam is one of the most popular products used for pipe insulation. PVC foam pipe insulation is a versatile product that is lightweight, easy to install and available in flexible tubing or rigid sheets.
Some common foam pipe insulation types include:
It is
versatile, abrasion-resistant and water-resistant. It is mainly used for both
cold and hot water pipes.
Thermal
resistance of insulated pipes is measured by the R-value. Higher R-value means
better insulation. Polyurethane has a high R-value that makes it a good choice
for both hot and cold water.
It is a
highly flexible rubber foam, which makes it suitable for pipes that move and
produce vibrations.
It is a
closed-cell foam that has a water-repellent property. It is mainly used for
cold applications.
When choosing
foam pipe insulation, ensure adequate temperature rating and wall thickness for
the pipe use.
There is a wide range of Pipe Insulation Types available. This guide will explain the most suitable types of insulation for the most common applications.
1. Pipe Bore (Diameter)
The pipe diameter (or bore) can be measured in imperial sizes (in inches) or metric sizes (in mm). For insulation purposes, both measurements refer to the outside diameter (O.D) of the pipe.
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When measuring steel pipe, it is important to remember that the OD measurement will be higher than the actual internal bore size - this is because the steel pipe has a substantial thickness of several mm. For instance, a steel pipe with a 25 mm bore, will have an outside diameter (OD) of 34 mm. This method does not apply to copper pipe.
2. Insulation Thickness (Wall Thickness)
All of our pipe insulation products are available in some different thicknesses (also referred to as wall thickness). As a rule of thumb - thicker insulation = less heat loss from pipes and greater protection from freezing temperatures.
For outdoor pipework, we recommend a minimum insulation thickness of 19mm.
Grey Foam Insulation - Armacell Tubolit
Our most economically priced Insulation. Tubolit is made from grey polyethene foam, the insulation is ideal for use in domestic pipework and plumbing. It is available in all of the standard internal pipe sizes and is available in several wall thicknesses. The insulation is supplied in either one or two-metre lengths and comes semi-split for ease of installation. This insulation is not suitable for outdoor use.
Class O Nitrile Foam Rubber Insulation - Armaflex
Class O Insulation is a flexible, closed cell, elastomeric, nitrile rubber insulation that offers reliable protection against condensation and effectively prevents energy loss. It is available in some formats including 2-metre unsplit tubes, long coils, sheets and also as a pre-slit self-seal tube that reduces installation times by up to 30%. The insulation is very versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications including domestic, plumbing and air conditioning. Class O insulation (The class O refers to the fire standard) can be used on hot pipes up to a temperature of 105 degrees Celsius. For temperatures above this (up to 150 degrees), an EPDM rubber insulation would be more suitable (see below).
*Class O insulation can be used outdoors but will require further protection from UV exposure, such as one of the Armafinish Paints. Without additional protection, the insulation will eventually crack and crumble.
EPDM Foam Rubber Insulation - Armaflex HT
EPDM rubber insulation is ideal for outdoor, high temperature and solar pipework use. The insulation has an in-built UV protective layer, meaning it can be installed outside without any further treatment or coverings. This insulation is also suitable for high-temperature pipework (up to 150 degrees Celsius), making it ideal for use on solar heating systems. The insulation is available in 2 metre unsplit tube lengths, long coils and flat sheets in a range of wall thicknesses. For outdoor use, we recommend a minimum insulation wall thickness of 19mm.
Mineral Fibre Insulation - Foil Coated - Rockwool
Rockwool Insulation is designed for use in heating, ventilation and air conditioning applications; mineral fibre insulation can withstand temperatures of up to 700 degrees Celsius. The insulation is provided as mineral fibre insulation sections which have a factory applied foil covering with an integral adhesive overlap. This feature dramatically speeds up installation times. The insulation can be used either indoors or outdoors. *If used outdoors, however, an additional protective covering sheet known as Polyisobutylene (PIB) needs to be applied.
Phenolic Foam Insulation - Foil Covered - Kingspan Kooltherm
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