Pipe Insulation
Pipe Insulation — UK Specialist Supplier
Shop the UK's widest range of pipe insulation at Pipelagging.com. We stock elastomeric foam, mineral wool, phenolic and PIR pipe insulation from the world's leading manufacturers including Armaflex, Rockwool, Kingspan Kooltherm and K-Flex. Whether you're insulating domestic hot and cold water pipes, commercial HVAC systems, district heating networks or industrial process pipework, we have the right product for your application.
We are authorised UK distributors for all brands we stock. Every product is genuine manufacturer stock, supplied with full technical data sheets and compliance documentation.
Types of Pipe Insulation
- Elastomeric Foam Pipe Insulation — Flexible closed-cell nitrile rubber foam including Armaflex and K-Flex. The most popular choice for domestic and commercial pipework. Excellent thermal performance, vapour resistance and flexibility. Available in self-seal and standard versions. Class O fire rated.
- Mineral Wool Pipe Insulation — Rockwool Rocklap and glass wool pipe sections for high-temperature pipework including steam, hot water and industrial process pipes. Non-combustible (Euroclass A1), suitable for applications where fire resistance is critical.
- Phenolic Pipe Insulation — Kingspan Kooltherm and Supaphen rigid foil-faced pipe sections offering the lowest thermal conductivity of any pipe insulation. Ideal for chilled water, district heating and applications where insulation thickness must be minimised.
- Self-Seal Pipe Insulation — Pre-slit pipe insulation with a factory-applied self-adhesive closure. No tape or adhesive required. The fastest and easiest pipe insulation to install — ideal for retrofit and maintenance work.
- Outdoor & UV-Resistant Pipe Insulation — Armaflex HT and specialist products for external pipework exposed to UV, weathering and high temperatures. Suitable for solar thermal, heat pump and outdoor HVAC pipework.
How to Choose the Right Pipe Insulation
The right pipe insulation depends on four factors: pipe temperature, application environment, required thermal performance, and compliance requirements. Use the table below as a starting point.
| Application | Recommended Type | Key Products | Temp Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic hot & cold water (Part L) | Elastomeric foam | Armaflex Class O, K-Flex ST | -50°C to +105°C |
| Commercial HVAC / chilled water | Elastomeric foam or phenolic | Armaflex, Kingspan Kooltherm | -50°C to +110°C |
| Refrigeration pipework | Elastomeric foam (closed-cell) | Armaflex AF, K-Flex Evo | -50°C to +105°C |
| Steam & high-temperature process | Mineral wool | Rockwool Rocklap | Up to +750°C |
| District heating | Phenolic or mineral wool | Kingspan Kooltherm, Rockwool | Up to +120°C |
| Outdoor / exposed pipework | UV-resistant elastomeric | Armaflex HT, K-Flex Solar | -50°C to +150°C |
| Condensation control | Closed-cell elastomeric | Armaflex, K-Flex | -50°C to +105°C |
Not sure which product is right for your project? Call our technical team on 0161 775 1190 (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm) or use our online enquiry form.
Shop by Application
- Outdoor Pipe Insulation — UV and weather-resistant products for external pipework
- Refrigeration Pipe Insulation — Closed-cell foam for refrigerant and chilled pipework
- Condensation Control Pipe Insulation — High vapour resistance for cold pipework
Shop by Brand
- Armaflex Pipe Insulation — The world's leading elastomeric foam insulation brand
- Rockwool Pipe Insulation — Non-combustible mineral wool for high-temperature applications
- Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation — Ultra-low lambda phenolic pipe sections
- Armacell Pipe Insulation — Full Armacell product range including Armaflex and Tubolit
Shop by Pipe Size
We stock pipe insulation for all standard copper and steel pipe sizes from 6mm to 273mm bore. Select your pipe size below to find compatible insulation products.
- 15mm Pipe Insulation
- 22mm Pipe Insulation
- 28mm Pipe Insulation
- 35mm Pipe Insulation
- 42mm Pipe Insulation
- 54mm Pipe Insulation
Compliance & Standards
Pipe insulation specified and installed in the UK must comply with a range of building regulations and industry standards. Our products support compliance with:
- Part L (Building Regulations) — Conservation of fuel and power; minimum insulation thicknesses for hot and cold water services
- BS 5422 — Method for specifying thermal insulating materials for pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork and equipment
- CIBSE Guide C — Reference data for mechanical services design including pipe insulation thickness tables
- BREEAM — Insulation product selection can contribute to BREEAM credits for energy efficiency
Our technical team can advise on thickness calculations and product selection to meet your specific compliance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pipe insulation for domestic hot and cold water pipes?
Elastomeric foam pipe insulation such as Armaflex Class O or K-Flex ST is the most widely used product for domestic hot and cold water services. It meets Part L requirements, is easy to install, and provides excellent thermal performance and vapour resistance. For Part L compliance, the required insulation thickness depends on pipe size and location — our technical team can advise.
What thickness of pipe insulation do I need?
Required thickness depends on the pipe size, fluid temperature, ambient conditions, and the standard you are complying with. Part L specifies minimum thicknesses for domestic services; BS 5422 and CIBSE Guide C provide thickness tables for commercial and industrial applications. As a general guide, 25mm wall thickness is commonly specified for 15mm–28mm domestic pipework. Contact our technical team for a project-specific recommendation.
What is the difference between elastomeric and phenolic pipe insulation?
Elastomeric foam (e.g. Armaflex) is flexible, easy to install, and suitable for a wide temperature range. It has good vapour resistance, making it ideal for chilled and cold pipework. Phenolic pipe insulation (e.g. Kingspan Kooltherm) is rigid and has a significantly lower thermal conductivity (lambda value), meaning thinner sections can achieve the same thermal performance. Phenolic is preferred where space is limited or where very high thermal efficiency is required.
Can pipe insulation be used outdoors?
Standard elastomeric foam pipe insulation is not UV-resistant and will degrade if left exposed outdoors. For external pipework, you need a UV-resistant product such as Armaflex HT or K-Flex Solar, or standard insulation protected with an aluminium or PVC cladding system. See our outdoor pipe insulation collection for suitable products.
What pipe insulation is suitable for refrigeration pipework?
Closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation is the standard choice for refrigeration pipework. It provides the high vapour resistance needed to prevent condensation on cold suction lines. Armaflex AF and K-Flex Evo are the most commonly specified products. See our refrigeration pipe insulation collection.
Is pipe insulation fire rated?
Fire rating varies by product type. Elastomeric foam pipe insulation such as Armaflex Class O meets Class O surface spread of flame requirements under BS 476. Mineral wool pipe insulation (e.g. Rockwool Rocklap) is non-combustible and achieves Euroclass A1 — the highest fire classification. Phenolic pipe insulation achieves Class O. Always check the product data sheet for the specific fire classification required by your project specification.
Do you supply pipe insulation for all pipe sizes?
Yes — we stock pipe insulation for all standard copper and steel pipe sizes from 6mm to 273mm bore, in a range of wall thicknesses. If you need an unusual size or a large quantity, contact our team for availability and pricing.
What is self-seal pipe insulation?
Self-seal pipe insulation is pre-slit along its length with a factory-applied self-adhesive closure strip. To install, you open the slit, place it around the pipe, and press the adhesive strip closed — no separate tape or adhesive is required. It is significantly faster to install than standard pipe insulation and is ideal for retrofit, maintenance and domestic plumbing work.
How do I calculate how much pipe insulation I need?
Pipe insulation is sold by the metre or in standard lengths (typically 1m or 2m). To calculate quantity, measure the total length of pipework to be insulated and add 10–15% for waste and fittings. Don't forget to account for bends, valves and other fittings, which require additional material or pre-formed fitting covers. Our team can help with take-offs for larger projects.
Do you offer technical support for pipe insulation specification?
Yes — our technical team can advise on product selection, insulation thickness calculations, compliance with Part L, BS 5422 and CIBSE Guide C, and system design. Call 0161 775 1190 (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm) or use our online enquiry form.
