Fibreglass Pipe Insulation - Ultimate Guide

With the energy bills at an all-time high, everyone including businesses, home and building owners, are on the lookout for methods to improve the energy efficiency of their facility. One of the more effective ways to do so is - to use adequate and effective insulation not just in the obvious place like lofts or walls but also for pipes, windows, ducts etc.

There is nothing like a hot shower on a freezing cold day and fibreglass pipe insulation gives you just that. It is an ideal pipe covering designed to keep hot water hot.

We stock Isover Climpipe, a fibreglass pipe wrap insulation specially made to improve the thermal efficiency of heating pipes whilst also helping them to retain heat a little longer.

Let's discuss fibreglass lagging for pipes in a little more in detail:

What is fiberglass pipe insulation?

As the name indicates, these are pre-formed, snap-on pipe sections made of fibreglass or glass fibers designed to provide exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation to all kinds of pipe work.

Why use fibreglass to insulate pipes? 

Fibreglass pipe insulation R value is higher and it has a low thermal conductivity or K-Value. All this translates to the insulating material effectively restricting heat transfer through its fabric. This makes fibreglass insulation a great choice for hot or heating pipes.

So when hot water courses through the copper pipelines, it does not lose heat, thereby maintaining the ambient temperature, saving both energy and money in the process.

Additionally, fibreglass pipe insulation wrap effectively soundproofs pipes. By nature, glass wool absorbs the sound waves created when water gushes down the pipes. Also, pipe sections made with glass fibres usually have an A1 or A2 fire rating, which means they give superior fire insulation. This product has an exceptional level of fire resistance as well as provides good condensation control.

Fibreglass pipe tube is an efficient and cost-effective solution that can be used for both residential and commercial applications. You can use fibreglass pipe insulation for hot steam, hot water systems including solar, central heating, underfloor heating and domestic hot water systems. Its low thermal conductivity ensures maximum energy efficiency of the piping systems it is used for.

How does Fiberglass pipe insulation work?

Like any insulating material, glass minerla wool also restricts heat loss through its fabric. It has a low K-value and good thermal resistance to help achieve this.

What are the benefits of Fibreglass pipe insulation?

Apart from giving effective thermal insulation thereby saving energy, fibreglass pipe wrap includes the following benefits:

• It gives superior acoustic insulation to pipes. Fibreglass pipe insulation density is higher compared to phenolic or foam pipe insulation which makes it easier for these pipe wraps to absorb sound waves. It is especially useful in insulating and soundproofing wastewater and soil pipe services.
• Fibreglass pipe lagging is ideal for heating and hot water pipes. They retain the required hot water temperature, thereby, reducing the need to reheat water, thus giving significant energy savings
• Fibreglass pipe insulation fire rating is usually A1 or A2 (Euroclass), which means these pipe sections are non-combustible. They give an extra sense of security.
• Glass mineral wool tube helps keep condensation problems away.
• Since they are made with 70-80% recycled content, they are environmentally friendly. Fibreglass pipe wrap has a low environmental impact making it a great choice when looking for an eco-friendly solution to your piping needs. They are also recyclable.
• Fibreglass pipe insulation can be used to protect the pipe from dust, damage and extreme temperatures. Along with giving effective insulation, they also improve and increase the service life of the pipes.
• They help reduce thermal bridging as they are commonly supplied in 1.2M lengths.
• Fibreglass pipe insulation works to protect the assembly from moulds, rust and mildew

What is Isover Pipe Insulation?

Isover by Saint-Gobain manufactures industrial insulation products of the highest quality. One such item is isover pipe lagging. This flexible, fibreglass pipe insulation wrap is supplied in 1.2M lengths and is available for varying pipe sizes and insulation thicknesses.

Climpipe insulation is an excellent product for insulating heating pipes. It can be used to cover all types of pipes including, copper, steel plastic etc. Another important use of Isover Insulation is its ability to insulate sewage or soil pipe services.

Along with having an A2 fire rating by Euroclass and a low K-value of 0.036 W/m.K, Isover fibreglass pipe insulation gives unmatched sound insulation. This fibreglass lagging comes with factory-applied foil facings for extra protection against loss of heat and makes them moisture resistant.

Isover Climpipe lagging is a great product to use due to its high-quality, non-combustible glass wool material that provides excellent heat protection and sound insulation

ClimPipe insulation is ideal for use in heating applications. Its ability to withstand extreme temperatures makes fibreglass pipe insulation a great choice for residential, industrial and commercial requirements alike. It is also lightweight and easy to install, making it an ideal pipe-insulating solution for almost any application.

Cost of fibreglass pipe insulation 

Fibreglass pipe insulation wrap is one of the cheap insulating materials you can find out there. With us, you can find fibreglass la for £5-£6 per 1.2M lengths, which is cheaper compared to phenolic or foam pipe insulation. Buy Insulation Online is one of the best places to buy cheap pipe insulation in the UK.

How to choose the right fibreglass pipe lagging online?

When you buy pipe insulation fibreglass online you just need the size or the outer diameter of the pipe you are working on and the insulation thickness you require. To help you choose the right isover pipe cover for your use, we have a pipe size chart on the product page, which gives you an indication of the right fibreglass pipe insulation fittings for your assembly.

The fibreglass pipe insulation thickness would depend on your assembly. Ideally thicker insulation is better at controlling heat loss in pipework though it would depend on the space available around the pipes for insulating and also on the areas where the pipes are located.

On our website, you can find our fibreglass pipe insulation price list for each variant of isover pipe lagging. All you have to do is select the Fiberglass pipe insulation thickness and the closest option to the bore of the pipe you are working on.

If however, you have more questions relating to the product or need help while you buy fibreglass online, we are just a call away.

Does fibreglass pipe insulation prevent condensation?

Yes, when fibreglass pipe wrap of the appropriate thickness is used to lag pipes, they prevent heat loss, thereby keeping the air around the pipe above the dew point, thus reducing condensation.

Most fibreglass pipe wraps come with foil-facings that act as a vapour barrier, thus protecting the insulation and the pipe from moisture.

Can fibreglass pipe insulation be used to insulate cold water pipes?

Fibreglass pipe insulation is perfect for temperatures between 5°C to 500°C. However, it is not ideal for preventing pipe freezing. In other words, fibreglass lagging is not the best insulating material for chilled or cold water applications. Fibreglass tubes are best used for steam and heating pipe insulation, as it better preserves the temperature compared to other pipe-insulating materials like PE foam or phenolic foam.

Can fibreglass pipe insulation be used to insulate external pipework?

Fibreglass insulation can work for pipes located outside a building. However, you will need to use appropriate cladding systems like stucco cladding or PIB insulation for outdoor pipe insulation. You can also use pipe jacketing systems like Klasse Clad or ProClad 150 to protect the assembly.

What Building Regulations does Fibreglass pipe lagging meet?

Most fibreglass pipe lagging meets building regulations like: 

• England, Wales and Scotland BS 5422: 2009 
• TIMSA Guidance for Achieving Compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.

Also, since fibreglass pipe wrap is Class O-rated they are recommended for use in both domestic, commercial and industrial applications

Can I use fibreglass pipe insulation to insulate steel pipes?

Fibreglass pipe wrap is a type of insulation made from spun fibreglass, often in the form of a flexible tube. It works for both hot and cold pipes to prevent heat loss or gain and to reduce noise in plumbing systems.

It is generally lightweight, easy to install and relatively inexpensive compared to other forms such as foam insulation. Fibreglass pipe insulation wrap is also compatible with all types of pipework including steel. So, yes you can use fibreglass insulation to give effective insulation to steel pipes.

How is Fibreglass pipe lagging different from mineral wool pipe insulation?

Fibreglass pipe wraps and mineral wool sections differ in a couple of things. First off, the material used in making these pipe sections. As mentioned above fibreglass pipe insulation is made using recycled glass fibres whilst stone wool or rock wool is used to make Mineral wool pipe lagging.

Fibreglass lagging can withstand r function to its optimal capacity in temperatures up to 500°C whist Mineral wool can only be used on pipes working up to 250°C, but their K-Value is almost the same.

Fibreglass pipe lagging VS foam insulation

Hands down, fibreglass pipe insulation is the best insulating material out there for hot water and heating applications. It is cost-effective and compatible with all types of pipework.

Foam Insulation- be it phenolic, rubber based or PE foam is ideal for insulating cold or chilled water lines. Nitrile rubber is cheaper compared to other foam-insulating materials

Fibreglass pipe insulation Installation:

Fibreglass pipe insulation installation is very easy. It can also be taken up as a DIY task if you are an efficient DIYer or can be installed with the help of an insulation contractor.

• Before you purchase fibreglass pipe insulation online or from a local store, determine the thickness of the insulation you need and measure the outer diameter of the pipe you are working on. Our pipe size chart on the product pages can give you an indication of the right fibreglass pipe fittings for your use.
• Fibreglass pipe wraps are pre-formed, which means they come in standard sizes to suit the outer diameter of the pipe perfectly. For example, if a pipe wrap dimensions read 1.2m x 32mm x 25mm, it usually indicates that the pipe section will be about 1.2m long. It should fit a 28 or 30mm pipe and it has about 25mm thick insulation. 
• Clean the surface of the pipe and free it of any dirt, oil or dust particles.
• Measure the length of the pipe and cut the pipe cover to the required size.
• Cover the pipe with the insulation, bring the ends together and seal with foil tape. Isover pipe lagging can also be secured using adhesives. 
• For elbows, curves or T-shaped bends, you will have to cut the fibreglass pipe insulation according to the measurements in the manufacturer's guidelines. You will also find instructions for cutting and making fiberglass pipe insulation elbows etc in our blog, which you can use for reference.
• Complete the insulation with appropriate cladding, when used externally, and appropriate pipe identification labels.

Fiberglass pipe insulation near me:

With Buy Insulation Online, you will have fibreglass tubes delivered to your doorstep or workplace, no matter where you are based in the UK. We offer nationwide delivery and even deliver for free in select postcodes.

Buy Insulation Online is going to be the best choice for fibreglass pipe insulation suppliers near you, not only because we offer a range of pipe insulation thicknesses and sizes but also because we would go the extra mile for you.

More Resources On Fiberglass Pipe Lagging

You can see some videos we have made on pipe insulation on our Youtube Channel here - Why You Need Pipe Insulation? / 10 Things To Consider When Choosing Pipe Insulation Thickness / Insulate Pipes To Stop The Spread Of Legionnaires Disease / All You Need To Know About Pipe Insulation Cladding

We have also written extensive articles on the subject which you can find here - Pipe Insulation Articles

Chilled Water Pipe Insulation - A Brief Guide / Everything You Need To Know About Phenolic Pipe Insulation / Soil Pipe Insulation: A Step-By-Step Guide / Tips On Preventing Condensation On Pipes / What Is Pipe Lagging? A Short Buyers Guide / Which Is The Right Pipe Lagging For You? / Insulate Pipes To Stop The Spread Of Legionnaires' Disease / Why You Need Pipe Insulation? / Benefits Of Using Nitrile Rubber Pipe Insulation / Why Pipe Insulation In Your Loft And Other Cold Spaces Is A Must. / How To Install Pipe Insulation Yourself? / 10 Things To Consider When Choosing Pipe Insulation Thickness  / Are Your Pipes Winter- Ready? / Why Is Pipe Insulation Important?

Take a look at Isovers official website for their Fiberglass Pipe Insulation https://www.isover-technical-insulation.com/hvac-pipe-insulation