Aluminium tape around pipe lagging?

[Super_Paulie]

For the uneducated amongst us, is there any benefit in completely surrounding the foam lagging around hot water pipes with aluminium tape?

 

Or will the foil just conduct heat out of the pipe/lagging?

 

Just insulating the return pipes that run through my loft to try to minimise the heat loss.

[JohnMo]

If there any chance of rodents it stops them chewing through the insulation.

 

Easy way to pull the joints tight.

 

Doesn't look so scruffy when complete as no gaps or different colours.

 

Can't see it reducing or increasing heat loss. Any heat at the surface is at one with the air around the lagging anyway.

Edited July 27, 2023 by JohnMo

[nod]

On commercial jobs the pipes are lagged with pir type foam that has the foil around it and joints are then taped 

[cwr]

In theory should reduce radiated losses,  and taping the joints both longitudinal and where the insulation lengths butt up against each other prevents a small air gap should also help.  I dare say would be nearly immeasurable improvement though. 

 

[Super_Paulie]

Cheers gents, I went ahead and did it. If nothing else it tidied it all up and will protect the foam from getting banged up 👍