Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation
- Professional ductwork insulation
- Stops condensation and wasted energy
- Commercial and industrial HVAC systems
- Experienced insulation teams
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Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation
Uninsulated ductwork is one of the biggest hidden energy drains in a building. Warm air cools down before it reaches the room. Cold supply air picks up heat on the way. And when cold ducts meet warm, damp air, condensation forms, drips through ceilings and leads to mould.
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ICE Thermal fits ductwork insulation for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems across the UK. We insulate supply, extract, fresh air and kitchen ductwork in offices, hospitals, schools, factories and new-build projects. Every job starts with a free site survey, so your ducts get the right insulation for the air they carry.
Contact our friendly team by calling 0203 376 4802 or sending an email to enquiries@icethermal.co.uk to learn more about how we insulate Ductwork & Ventilation systems.
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Our ductwork & ventilation insulation treatment process
Step 1 Contact
To book a free, no-obligation site survey, either give us a call on 0203 376 4802 or email us on enquiries@icethermal.co.uk.
A member of our friendly support team will get back to you to talk through your Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation needs. It helps if you can tell us the type of system (heating, cooling or ventilation), whether it's a new build or an existing building and where the ducts run. Photos are useful too, if you have them.
Where we can, we'll give you an early idea of cost for your Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation service. If necessary, our engineers will visit the site to review the current situation, at a time that suits you.
Step 2 Quote
Following all health and safety rules, our engineer will visit your site and carry out a full survey. For your Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation service, we'll measure duct sizes and runs, note the air temperatures and check access in ceiling voids, risers and plant rooms. On existing systems, we'll look for water stains, failed insulation and bare sections.
We'll also carry out a risk assessment, so nothing unexpected comes up once work starts. This covers access, working at height, other trades on site and any hazards we find.
Our team will then recommend the best option for your site and answer any questions. You'll receive a free, detailed quote for your Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation service, showing the material and thickness, how it will be fixed, the finish and the duct runs included, along with a likely timeframe for the work.
Step 3 Cleaning
Our fully trained engineers will arrive on time, in uniform and with ID badges, ready to begin the work. Before we start, we'll send you our risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) and agree working areas, times and access with you.
Our engineers will fix insulation to the ducts with pins, clips and adhesive, then tape and seal every joint. Flanges, dampers and access doors are insulated with care so they still work. Where ceiling tiles need lifting, we'll put them back as we go.
The work will be completed in line with the survey and quote, following all health and safety rules. We keep a safe working area for everyone on site at all times, and can work early, late or at weekends to limit disruption.
When we finish, our team will check the completed work with you and make sure you're happy with the job. We promise to leave your site safe, clean and tidy, with all waste removed.
Step 4 After care
Here at ICE Thermal, we go the extra mile to make sure every client is happy.
You'll receive a handover pack for your Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation service, including the materials used, product data sheets and photos of the insulated duct runs. Keep it with your building records, as it's useful for audits, insurers and future work.
Our dedicated customer service team will get in touch with every client after the Ductwork & Ventilation Insulation service, to make sure all expectations have been met. If condensation or cold spots return, we'll come back and find out why.
You'll also be given the opportunity to write a Trustpilot review.
Our helpline is open 9:00 -17:30 Monday-Friday
When calling please have
the following ready:
- Your Name
- Company Name (if applicable)
- Site Postcode
- The problem you're having
- Email Address
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FAQs
The basics
Which ducts need insulating and which don't?
Supply ducts, fresh air intakes and any duct carrying cooled air usually need insulation. Extract ducts inside the heated building often don't, unless the design says so. We'll check your system on survey.
Why does ductwork need insulating?
Insulation keeps air at the right temperature as it travels to each room. On cool air ducts, it also stops condensation, which can drip through ceilings and cause mould.
Materials and methods
How is duct insulation fixed in place?
We use mechanical pins and clips as well as adhesive. Adhesive alone can fail over time, especially on the underside of ducts. All joints are then taped and sealed.
What is foil-faced duct insulation?
It's mineral wool slab or mat with a foil layer bonded to the outside. The foil acts as a vapour barrier and a clean finish. It's the most common choice for rectangular ductwork.
Standards and compliance
Which standard sets the thickness of duct insulation?
BS 5422 gives thicknesses for ductwork based on air temperature and purpose, such as saving energy or stopping condensation. If your project has its own specification, we follow that.
Does ductwork insulation need to meet Part L?
In most new and refit work, yes. Part L expects heating and cooling ductwork to be insulated to limit energy loss. We'll insulate to the thickness your design or specification needs.
Estimates and charges
Is it cheaper to insulate ducts during a new build?
Yes, in most cases. Access is easier before ceilings go in, so the work is quicker. Retrofitting is still worthwhile, but it may take longer.
What affects the cost of ductwork insulation?
The size and length of the ducts, the material, the finish and how easy they are to reach all affect the price. Work in tight ceiling voids or at height takes longer. We'll quote after a free survey.
On the job
Will you need to lift ceiling tiles to insulate existing ducts?
Often, yes. We'll lift tiles carefully in the areas we're working in and put them back when we're done. We'll agree which areas need access before we start.
Customer care
Will our ceilings stop getting water stains once the ducts are insulated?
If the stains come from condensation on cold ducts, a sealed vapour barrier should stop them. If we find another cause, such as a leak, we'll tell you so it can be fixed.
Why choose us?
- Cater to domestic, commercial, and industrial facilities
- Nationwide coverage
- A site survey can be provided prior to quotation
- A bespoke service designed to suit all your needs
- All operatives hold professional health and safety qualifications
We’re fully accredited
We take health and safety, our professional expertise and legal obligations very seriously. You can view a list of our accreditations below, or visit our Health & Safety page for more information.
What is ductwork insulation?
Ductwork insulation is a layer of material fixed to the outside of a duct. It slows down heat moving between the air inside the duct and the space around it. This keeps the air at the temperature your system set it to, all the way to the grille.
On ducts carrying cool air, the insulation also has a sealed vapour barrier. This stops moist air reaching the cold metal, which is what causes condensation. Insulation can also soften the noise that ducts give off, though dedicated Acoustic Insulation for Ventilation does this far better.
Ductwork insulation services we offer
- Insulation of rectangular, circular and flat oval ductwork
- Supply and extract ductwork for HVAC systems
- Chilled and air conditioning ductwork with vapour barriers
- Fresh air intake ducts, which often run cold
- Ductwork on roofs and outside walls, finished with weatherproof cladding
- Air handling unit (AHU) casings and plenums
- Re-insulation of ducts after repairs, alterations or damage
If your ductwork needs a fire rating, see our Fire-Rated Duct Insulation page.
What's included
- A free site survey of duct sizes, runs, air temperatures and access
- Material and thickness chosen to meet BS 5422 or your specification
- Mechanical fixing with pins and clips, not just adhesive
- Taped and sealed joints to keep the vapour barrier whole
- Insulation around flanges, dampers, access doors and supports
- Finishing in foil, glass cloth or metal cladding
- Labelling of ducts if needed
- Removal of all offcuts and waste
Duct insulation materials we use
- Foil-faced mineral wool slab and mat. The most common choice for rectangular ducts. It is easy to fit and performs well in a fire.
- Phenolic foam board. Gives strong thermal performance with a thinner layer, so it suits tight ceiling voids.
- Nitrile rubber sheet. Flexible and closed-cell, which makes it a good fit for chilled air ducts.
- Metal cladding. Aluminium or steel sheet that protects insulation outdoors and in plant rooms.
Key benefits of ductwork insulation
- Lower running costs. Air arrives at the right temperature, so heating and cooling plant work less.
- No dripping ducts. A sealed vapour barrier stops condensation on cool air ducts.
- Better comfort. Rooms get the air temperature the system was designed to deliver.
- Protects the building. No condensation means no stained tiles, damp or mould in ceiling voids.
- Part L compliance. The right insulation helps new and refit work meet energy rules.
- Longer system life. Ducts and fixings are protected from moisture and corrosion.
Signs your ductwork needs insulation
- Water stains on ceiling tiles below duct runs
- Ducts that feel very hot or cold to the touch
- Rooms that never reach the right temperature
- Insulation that is torn, sagging or hanging loose
- Ducts left bare after alterations or new connections
- An energy survey or M&E consultant has flagged heat loss
HVAC ductwork insulation contractors
We work directly for building owners and facilities managers. We also work as a specialist subcontractor to ductwork installers, M&E contractors and main contractors. On new builds, we follow the ductwork install closely, so ceilings can close on time.
Who we help
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Hospitals and healthcare sites
- Schools and universities
- Commercial kitchens, restaurants and hotels
- Shopping centres and retail units
- Factories, cleanrooms and labs
- Data centres
- Ductwork and M&E contractors
Compliance and paperwork
We work to BS 5422 and your project specification. RAMS are sent before we start. On completion, you get a handover pack with the materials used, product data sheets and photos. Where ductwork needs a fire rating, we fit a tested system and give you the product details for your records.
Book ductwork insulation with ICE Thermal
Wet ceilings, cold rooms and high energy bills often start at the ductwork. ICE Thermal fits ductwork insulation that keeps your air at the right temperature and stops condensation for good. Call 0203 376 4802 or email enquiries@icethermal.co.uk to book your free site survey and quote.