We’re proud to offer premium polyethylene insulation with either aluminised polyethylene or black polyethylene facing , a versatile and efficient solution for your commercial and industrial projects. At FM Insulation, we leverage our 30+ years of experience to supply high-quality faced polyethylene pipe insulation for optimal thermal performance and moisture control, ensuring energy efficiency and condensation protection for your projects.
What is polyethylene faced pipe insulation?
Polyethylene faced pipe insulation is a flexible, closed-cell foam tube with a highly reflective aluminised polyethylene film outer layer or alternatively a black polyethylene outer layer. This results in a lightweight, highly effective solution for pipe insulation that offers superior moisture resistance and thermal efficiency.
At FM Insulation, we’ve been supplying polyethylene pipe insulation products for nearly 20 years, witnessing firsthand its evolution and increasing popularity. Known for its excellent moisture resistance, this insulation offers superior thermal performance and condensation control, making it ideal for both commercial and industrial applications.
Why choose faced polyethylene pipe insulation?
Faced polyethylene pipe insulation stands out for its exceptional thermal efficiency and moisture control, making it an ideal choice for HVAC, refrigeration, and plumbing applications. With our extensive product knowledge, we can help you select the right faced polyethylene solution to meet your project’s specific requirements, whether it’s for thermal insulation, condensation control, or reflective heat barrier needs.
Energy efficiency
Our experience has shown that faced polyethylene pipe insulation is particularly effective in providing both conductive and radiant heat protection, significantly reducing heat transfer in both hot and cold applications. This makes it an excellent choice for projects where thermal efficiency and energy conservation are key priorities.
Versatility of faced polyethylene pipe insulation
Whether you’re working on air conditioning systems, chilled water pipes, or hot water plumbing, our team at FM Insulation can help you select the right faced polyethylene product to meet your specific insulation needs. With our extensive inventory and technical expertise, we ensure you get the right product, at the right price, at the right time.
Key features and benefits of polyethylene faced pipe insulation
At FM Insulation, we stock a wide range of insulation products, allowing us to provide unbiased comparisons. Our extensive experience has shown that faced polyethylene pipe insulation offers several key benefits and advantages for HVAC, refrigeration, and plumbing applications:
Superior moisture resistance:
The closed-cell structure and outer polyethylene layer creates an excellent vapour barrier, preventing condensation on cold pipes and protecting against moisture ingress.
Excellent thermal performance:
The combination of closed-cell foam and polyethylene coating effectively reduces heat transfer by addressing both conductive and radiant heat, improving overall energy efficiency.
Lightweight and flexible:
Easy to handle and install, it conforms readily to pipes and fittings, even in tight spaces, reducing installation time and ensuring complete coverage.
Durable and long-lasting:
Maintains its properties over time, providing consistent performance throughout the system’s lifespan with minimal degradation.
Pre-slit for easy installation:
Our pipe sections come with a pre-cut slit along the length, allowing for quick and simple installation around pipes without the need for complex fabrication.
Hygienic and safe:
Doesn’t support mould or bacterial growth, making it suitable for use in clean environments and health-sensitive applications.
Reflective barrier:
The aluminised polyethylene facing provides an additional radiant heat barrier, enhancing the overall thermal performance of the insulation system.
Clean appearance:
Both the bright aluminised and the black surface give a professional, finished appearance to insulated pipes in visible applications.
With these benefits and advantages, polyethylene pipe insulation proves to be a versatile and high-performing solution for a wide range of applications. Our team at FM Insulation can help you determine if faced polyethylene pipe insulation is the right choice for your specific insulation needs.
Applications of polyethylene faced pipe insulation
Our polyethylene faced pipe insulation is suitable for a wide range of applications, including:
- Air conditioning and refrigeration lines
- Chilled water systems
- Hot and cold water plumbing
- Heating systems
- Process pipework in industrial facilities
- Solar hot water systems
- Commercial HVAC systems
Available sizes and specifications
FM Insulation supplies polyethylene faced pipe insulation in a range of sizes to suit various project requirements. Our standard pipe sections are available for pipe diameters from 12.7mm to 355mm, with wall thicknesses ranging from 9mm to 63mm. For specialised projects, we may be able to source custom sizes upon request. Please contact our team for the most up-to-date information on available sizes and to discuss which options best suit your application.
Installation guidelines
While polyethylene faced pipe insulation is known for its ease of installation, proper techniques ensure optimal performance:
- Always ensure pipes are clean and dry before installation.
- Open the pre-cut slit and place around the pipe, ensuring a snug fit.
- Seal all longitudinal and butt joints with appropriate aluminium foil tape.
- When insulating fittings, cut the insulation to the correct shape and seal joints.
- Avoid compression of the insulation material, as this reduces its effectiveness.
- For outdoor applications, provide additional protection from UV exposure.
FM Insulation Supplies: Your faced polyethylene pipe insulation specialists
With over 30 years in the industry, FM Insulation brings unparalleled expertise to your insulation needs. Our large inventory ensures quick fulfilment, while our established contractor relationships and technical knowledge allow us to serve both domestic and international markets effectively. As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves on providing personalised service and technical support to ensure you get the right product, at the right price, at the right time.
Sustainability and environmental impact
Choosing polyethylene faced pipe insulation for your project contributes to sustainable practices:
- CFC and HCFC free formulation
- Helps reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings
- Contributes to energy efficiency ratings in commercial and residential buildings
- Long service life reduces replacement requirements
Speak with an insulation specialist or get a quote
Fill out the form below to connect with our insulation specialists. Whether you need technical advice or a customised quote for your project, our team is ready to assist you with our extensive knowledge and experience in faced pipe insulation solutions.
Speak with an Insulation Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of our most common questions.
Our aluminised faced pipe insulation incorporates a reflective outer layer that provides additional thermal performance by reflecting radiant heat. This layer also enhances the vapour barrier properties, provides a cleaner finished appearance, and makes the product easier to wipe clean in exposed applications.
Yes, our faced polyethylene pipe insulation is suitable for both hot and cold applications. It performs effectively across its temperature range of -70°C to +95°C, making it versatile for various piping systems from chilled water to hot water services.
The facing provides an additional vapour barrier layer that, combined with the closed-cell structure of the polyethylene foam, creates an extremely effective barrier against moisture transmission. This prevents condensation formation on cold pipe surfaces by maintaining the surface temperature above dew point and blocking moisture migration through the insulation.
For optimal performance and aesthetic finish, joints in aluminised faced polyethylene pipe insulation should be sealed with matching aluminium foil tape. This ensures a continuous vapour barrier and reflective surface across all seams. We supply compatible aluminium foil tape specifically designed for use with our faced polyethylene insulation products. Our black finished product can be sealed using black foil tape or black duct tape.
Faced polyethylene pipe insulation offers significant time savings during installation compared to many other insulation types. The pre-slit design, lightweight nature, and flexibility allow for quick application around pipes, while the self-adhesive overlap on some products eliminates the need for separate taping of longitudinal joints. Most installers report 15-30% time savings compared to other insulation systems.
DATASHEETS
Pool – Spa – Air Conditioning – PartsTherm-o-lag Polyethylene
Downloads
- TDS Chemically Cross Linked PE Pipe / Sheet
- BCA – R Values – Polyethylene
- Compressive Stress Test PE Foam
- Tear Strength Test PE Foam
- Water Absorptivity Test PE Foam
Available upon request
- AS1530.3 Test Report Faced PE sheet
- SDS Therm-o-lag Polyethylene Pipe Insulation
- ODP Chemically Cross Linked Foamed PE
- Formaldehyde Test Certificate PE
- TVOC Test Certificate PE
- Chloride Content Hanalon PE
- Condensation-Prevention-Thicknesses
- ISO 5660-1 Test Report