NBR Foam vs EPS vs Glass Wool: Which Pipe Insulation Should You Buy?
Walk into any insulation shop and you will be offered several kinds of pipe insulation. Names like Armaflex and Aeroflex refer to NBR rubber foam. Thermopore is EPS. Glass wool and rock wool are fibre. They are not interchangeable. Pick the wrong one and it can fail in a season.
This page compares them side by side, so you can match the material to the pipe.
Quick comparison
| NBR foam | EPS (thermopore) | PE foam | Glass wool | Rock wool | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical temperature | About -50 to +105°C (varies by product) | About -50 to +70°C | Lower than NBR | About 230 to 250°C | Higher still |
| Thermal conductivity (typical) | About 0.033 to 0.040 | About 0.035 to 0.040 | About 0.035 to 0.045 | About 0.032 to 0.045 | About 0.034 to 0.045 |
| Flexible? | Yes | No, rigid | Yes | Pre-formed sections | Pre-formed sections |
| Usual length | 2 m | 1 m, sometimes up to 2 m | 2 m | 1 m | 1 m |
| Common thickness | 9 to 25 mm (32 mm and above for industrial) | 20 to 100 mm | 9 to 25 mm | 19 to 63 mm | 25 to 150 mm |
| Handles moisture | Very well | Well if sealed | Well | Poor if it gets wet | Poor if it gets wet |
| Cost | Medium to high | Low | Lowest flexible | Medium | Medium to high |
| Best for | AC lines, chilled water, bends | Cold lines, straight runs, roof pipes | Light-duty AC | Hot water, steam | Boilers, industrial heat |
Thermal conductivity in W/m·K. These are typical ranges, not test results. Check the datasheet of the exact product.
NBR foam (Armaflex or Aeroflex style)
NBR is a rubber-like foam with closed cells. It bends around corners, keeps water out, and works across a wide temperature range. It is the standard choice for AC copper lines (see our AC pipe insulation guide) and chilled water pipes. It costs more than EPS, but it is the easiest to fit and the most forgiving.
EPS (thermopore)
EPS is rigid, light and cheap. It is a good choice for straight cold-water runs, roof lines and drain pipes. It is not for hot lines, because it softens above about 70°C. Read more about it in our guide to thermopore pipe insulation.
Glass wool and rock wool
These are made from fibre and handle high temperatures, so they are used on hot water, steam and boiler lines. They need a foil or metal jacket and must stay dry. Wet fibre insulates badly. They are a poor fit for cold pipes in humid air unless a sealed vapour barrier is fitted.
XLPE and PE foam
PE and XLPE foam are low-cost, flexible options. They work for light household AC lines and water pipes, but they do not last as long outdoors and have lower temperature limits than NBR.
How to decide in 30 seconds
- Is the pipe hotter than about 70°C? Use glass wool or rock wool. Not EPS.
- Is it a small copper AC line or does it have bends? Use NBR foam.
- Is it a straight cold-water line on a budget? EPS sections work well.
- Is it outdoors? Whichever you choose, cover it with foil, tape or a cover.
Frequently asked questions
Tell us the pipe size, what runs through it and where. WhatsApp or call +92 300 3679943, or get a quote. Looking for flat EPS boards instead? See our thermocol sheets. Back to the pipe insulation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Armaflex the same as NBR foam?
Armaflex is a brand of NBR-based foam insulation. Aeroflex is another. The material type is the same, NBR rubber foam.
Which is cheaper, EPS or NBR foam?
EPS is usually cheaper per running foot. NBR costs more but is easier to fit and handles bends.
Can I use glass wool for a cold pipe?
It is not a good fit. Glass wool loses performance when damp, and cold pipes sweat. Use NBR foam or sealed EPS instead.
What do I use for steam pipes?
Glass wool or rock wool with a metal or foil jacket. Never EPS.
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