How to cover steam piping to not look horrible

chad444 · February 10

I have steam lines in basement with low 7 ft ceiling height. I need to paint them as they look terrible they have insulation and tape already to prevent heat loss. I want to avoid buildout a full soffit as it will take too much headroom.

Any ideas on what I can do to wrap these with so I can paint them which can withstand the heat?

Thank you!!

ethicalpaul · February 10

The heat isn’t a concern. Normal paint can handle 212F

pedmec · February 10

buy pipe pvc insulation jacket. its used to cover outdoor fiberglass insulation but it will clean it up by covering the insulation. looks nice when done. don't know the cost but all our outdoor boilers will be installed using this material. its one option

Waher · February 10

PVC jackets & fitting covers.
https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/pvc-cut-and-curl-jacketing-w-ssl-3ft/

EBEBRATT-Ed · February 10

It is fairly expensive$$$ The pvc jacket will do a nice job but its a big cost. Fiberglass insulation installed neatly and with Pvc fitting covers works good for indoor pipe.

It's not the insulation its how it is installed that makes it look good. Most plumbers and pipe fitters are not the best with it. You need a real pipe insulator. But anyone can d a good job if willing to take the time and effort.

guzzinerd · February 11

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

It is fairly expensive$$$ The pvc jacket will do a nice job but its a big cost. Fiberglass insulation installed neatly and with Pvc fitting covers works good for indoor pipe. It's not the insulation its how it is installed that makes it look good. Most plumbers and pipe fitters are not the best with it. You need a real pipe insulator. But anyone can d a good job if willing to take the time and effort.

Can you put it over original asbestos insulation or better to leave alone?

delcrossv · February 11

You'd have to be really careful not to disturb it. Better left alone- best is removing it and going with fiberglass

KC_Jones · February 13

If you really want them to look good and you don't mind doing the work, I'd be getting some mastic and mesh or cheesecloth can work and finishing them off. Then you should be able to paint them any color you want. That's about the only option to really make them look good.

https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/mastic/

ChicagoCooperator · February 13

There is paintable pipe insulation - was just looking up a product for a client a couple weeks ago. Found a couple products, here is one.

https://www.armacell.us/products/armaflexwbfinish/

Waher · February 13

You can't use standard foam rubber insulation on steam systems because it isn't rated for temperatures hotter than 200f. There's special high temperature variations of rubber insulation typically used for solar hot water line sets that can handle the 215-220f temperatures of steam pipes, but it's more expensive than using American made fiberglass with PVC jackets over it.

How to cover steam piping to not look horrible

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