Best Source for Pipe Insulation and Fittings Pieces??

AdmiralYoda

I'm repiping my boiler this summer and need to re-insulate everything. I installed cheap 1/2" fiberglass insulation years ago but would like to upgrade it a bit, especially the near boiler piping.

First, what is the point of diminishing returns for insulation thickness? 1 inch?, 1.5", 2.0"?

Also, where is a good place to buy the new insulation and the associated fitting pieces and covers?

GGross

If you are near Michigan you could call Acme insulations in GR. I am not sure if they sell to the general public or if you need an account. But I imagine they could help you

AdmiralYoda

@GGross Thank you for the contact, I'm in Massachusetts. Being a homeowner I never have really gone to a local supply house. Not because I choose not to, I just have no idea where they are and buying online is easy and shows up without me having to drive anywhere.

I was thinking of buying online, but if there is a good local supply house in MA....I'm all ears!

jhewings

This question has come up several times here. Most of the responses suggest 1" is the sweet spot. I did 1.5" before realizing the above and I'm not unhappy with that choice but there is a jump in price from 1". I bought mine from www.buyinsulationproductstore.com

Danny Scully

Http://www.expressinsulation.com 

Labenaqui

I'm next door in NH. We buy Tubolit 1/2" Thick Split/Self Seal Pipe Insulation @ Home Depot. Half or less Trade Shop Prices & good quality.

JUGHNE

Labenaqui, do you use that on steam system piping?

Larry Weingarten

Hi, What do you think of this stuff from Supply House? Says it's good up to 220F. https://www.supplyhouse.com/K-Flex-6RSR100078-7-8-Pipe-O-D-x-1-Wall-Titan-Pipe-Insulation-6 Has anyone used it on steam?

Yours, Larry

pecmsg

Larry Weingarten said:

Hi, What do you think of this stuff from Supply House? Says it's good up to 220F. https://www.supplyhouse.com/K-Flex-6RSR100078-7-8-Pipe-O-D-x-1-Wall-Titan-Pipe-Insulation-6 Has anyone used it on steam? Yours, Larry

$32.48 per 6’

ill stick with fiberglass 

JUGHNE

The 2 online insulation sources listed above had better prices than my independent insulation supplier.

But when you add the freight into it the total bottom line is a lot higher.

The independent supplier had a lower freight cost than the others.

EzzyT

Buyinsulation.com is Metro Supply in Clifton NJ online sales department. I would go that route since that where I pick up all my insulation products.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@AdmiralYoda

The only one I know of is General Insulation. There in Worcester (or maybe Auburn). I don't know if they sell to homeowners, but you could google their # and give them a call

pedmec

general insulation is who buy from too and they are also located in Malden, mass. just off of rt 93 coming into Boston

Robert_25

I bought mine from these guys: https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/

I went with 1" fiberglass and am very happy with it. It noticeably reduced my basement temperature in the heating season.

ChrisJ

I used buyinsulationproducts several times as well.
Besides 1" being the best bang for the buck there's also the fact 1.5" and 2" get a lot bigger OD and often you'll find you flat out can't fit it in a lot of places.

A 2" pipe will be 4.375" OD with 1" insulation and 5.375" with 1.5", 6.375" with 2".

6.375" OD is a big pipe to have in a residential basement or crawl space.

Here's a scale drawing of a comparison on a 2" steam main

PC7060

What @ChrisJ said. I went with 1.5” thick and and it was quite the struggle to make it work in few places. Went with 1” from then on. 

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

I don't mean to highjack, but I just started using this InsulKnife for insulation and it works much faster than the back saw I've been using for years. Cleaner cuts, too.