XLPE Insulated Sheet
Insulated Sheets
What XLPE is
XLPE is cross-linked polyethylene foam. It is a closed cell material, which is the property that distinguishes it from mineral fibre: the cells do not interconnect, so the foam does not draw water into itself the way an open fibre blanket does.
It is usually supplied with a reflective foil facing, so it works both as a conductive barrier through its thickness and as a radiant barrier at the surface.
Why closed cell matters under a roof
The common failure of roof insulation is moisture. Warm humid air reaches a cold surface, condenses, and the water ends up in the insulation. An open fibre blanket holds that water, loses most of its performance and stays wet.
A closed cell foam does not absorb it in the same way, so it tolerates humid environments and condensation-prone roofs better. That makes it a sensible choice in dairies, food areas, washdown environments and buildings where humidity is part of the process.
Thickness against fibre
Millimetre for millimetre XLPE performs well, but it is supplied in thin sections compared with a fibre blanket, so it is not the product for a cold store where you need substantial resistance.
Think of it as sitting between a reflective bubble foil and a proper fibre blanket: better thermal resistance and durability than the foil, less absolute performance than a thick blanket, and far more tolerant of moisture than either.
Handling and fixing
It is light, it cuts cleanly and it does not shed fibres, which makes it pleasant to install and acceptable where airborne fibre would be a problem. The foil facing is easily torn, so it wants reasonable care during fixing, since a torn facing is a hole in both the radiant barrier and the vapour resistance.
As with any foil-faced product, an air gap facing the reflective side is what lets the radiant part of the performance happen.
What to send us for a quote
The covered area, whether it is new or retrofit, the thickness if specified, and what the building does. Humidity and washdown are the details that make this product the right answer rather than a fibre blanket, so mention them.
Frequently asked questions
How is XLPE different from bubble foil?
Both are thin and foil-faced, but XLPE is a closed cell foam with real thickness and better thermal resistance, where bubble sheet relies almost entirely on the reflective surface.
Does it absorb moisture?
Not in the way open fibre does. The closed cell structure resists water uptake, which is why it suits humid and washdown environments.
Can it replace rockwool?
For thin applications and moisture resistance, often yes. For a cold store or anywhere needing substantial thermal resistance, no, because it is not supplied in that thickness.
Does it shed fibres?
No. That is one reason it is chosen for food and clean areas where airborne fibre would be unacceptable.
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