Two Pipes, One Pipe Insulation Size

Ordering fiberglass pipe insulation for copper piping or tubing is a confusing ordeal.  One would think a 3/4" ID copper pipe with a 7/8" OD (ID= Inner Diameter, OD= Outer Diameter) would use the "3/4 x" fiberglass pipe insulation size on our site.  However, 3/4" ID copper pipe actually uses "1/2 x" size on our site instead.  This short blog post will help answer the questions that may arise when ordering fiberglass copper pipe insulation in our store.

Two Pipes - One Pipe Insulation Size:

Pipe insulation manufacturers made the decision to produce only one size of fiberglass pipe insulation for two pipe sizes due to the extreme similarities in the two pipe's ODs (outer diameters).  Many of the smaller copper pipe sizes are very similar in OD as certain iron pipe sizes (IPS).

Explanation of Each Copper Pipe Size Substitute:

1/2" ID copper pipe has a 5/8" OD which does not match an iron pipe size so we use "5/8 x" on our site which is "copper only"

3/4" ID copper pipe has a 7/8" OD while a 1/2" iron pipe has an OD of 0.84"         (7/8" = 0.875")  Order "1/2 x"

1" ID copper pipe has a 1-1/8" OD while a 3/4" iron pipe has an OD of 1.05"         (1-1/8" = 1.125") Order "3/4 x"

1-1/4" ID copper pipe has a 1-3/8" OD while a 1" iron pipe has an OD of 1.315"    (1-3/8" = 1.375") Order "1 x"

1-1/2" ID copper pipe has a 1-5/8" OD while a 1-1/4" iron pipe has an OD of 1.66"(1-5/8" = 1.625") Order "1-1/4 x"

2" ID copper pipe has a 2-1/8" OD which does not match an iron pipe size so we use "2-1/8 x" on our site which is "copper only"

From here on out all the of the larger copper pipe sizes will have their individual pipe insulation sizes.  The pipe insulation size on our website will match the copper pipe OD.  For example a 3" ID copper pipe has a 3-1/8" OD so we use "3-1/8 x" on our site.

Learn more about Copper and Iron Pipe Sizes with our E-Z Order Guide