Pipe Insulation Material


Plastic Foam Tubes


Easy-to-fit plastic foam tubes will bend round pipe curves. The tubing is split down one side and has to be eased open to wrap round the pipe. It is secured with adhesive tape wrapped round at intervals, or placed along the slit or with purpose made clips or with a special adhesive. Some types are secured by integral mouldings that interlock. Tubes are available to fit 15mm, 22mm and 28mm pipes. Plastic foam tube is slightly more expensive than giass fibre and mineral fibre or felt, but it is extremely convenient to use.

Self-adhesive pipe wrap

Thin foam insulating wrap, 2in (50mm) wide, is supplied in rolls usually 1 Sft(4.6m) or 32ft (lOm) long. Some types have a metallic finish.
There is no formula for estimating how much pipe wrap to buy as it depends on the size of the pipes and bow large you make the overlaps. Buy one or two packs, use the material and then work out how much more you need to complete the job.
To lix the lagging, peel off the backing paper and wind the material round the pipes. It is self-adhesive. Overlap the tape as you wind it, especially at bends.

Glass-fibre and mineral-fibre bandage

An inexpensive form of lagging but not widely available in bandage form. You can make your own bandage from loft insulating blanket by tearing or cutting the blanket into strips 3m (75mm) wide.
Use a panel saw to cut the roll of blanket while it is still in its wrapping, or use a large pair of sharp scissors on the unrolled blanket. It can be difficult to wrap round pipes that lie close to a wall.
To prevent the fibres trom irritating your skin, wear gloves while using the material, or wash your hands in cold water after handling.

Sleeved felt lagging

For plumbing in new pipes, sleeved felt lagging can be slipped over a pipe before installation. It is available in packs of about 72ft (22m), in a size that will fit both 15mm and 22mm diameter pipes, and the material is easy to cut to length with scissors.
To fit sleeved felt lagging to existing pipes, run scissors along the sleeve seam to undo the stitches. Wrap the lengths of felt round the pipes and tie them in place with string. This method provides very cheap insulation for pipework.