Fridge Insulation

[Amulet]

In a previous discussion it was recommended that I use polyurethane foam for insulating the fridge I'm building.

Can anyone pouint me to a supply? I need 30mm thick sheet.
(I know that's tecnically not enough, but it's a tiny fridge which is no real challenge to the cooling system, and if I put thicker foam in it will eat too much space.)

 

[philip_stevens]

Builders merchants for large sheets of cavity wall insulation slabs, or smaller sheets for between the roof joists/rafters.

 

[asj1]

If you only want small amounts then try a skip at a building site (do we still have sites) - that's where I got mine. A full sheet is quite expensive, mind you I suppose you could use the rest for some loft insulation.

Regards

 

[tillergirl]

Don't stint on this, its a pretty important component. Go for a high tech version such as Celotex which gives max insulation for depth

 

[DanTribe]

I would prefer to use a PIR board e.g. Celotex. A bit more efficient & more mould resistant.
Can be bought from Wickes or proper builders merchants or, as recomended, from builders skips.
I trust you will allow plenty of air circulation space, I dont think Stella planking will benefit from having insulation close up to it.

 

[coliholic]

Try Sheffield Insulation. Despite the name they're all over the UK and there's bound to be a branch close (ish) to you? I've bought foam from them several times for various projects (actually for making model aircraft wings) and if you have a wander around their yard you may find some damaged scrap boards that they'll sell you cheaply. either way, not an overly expensive product in the first place

http://www.sheffins.co.uk/

 

[sarabande]

Use the Celotex non-flammable version - just in case....

 

[Amulet]

Thanks everyone - my local building supplier can do it.

No she's not a Stella. My father designed her.

Looks a lot like a Stella but weighs more than a ton more!
Bit annoying when the Stellas glide past us, though we can go through a head sea better - but it is *through* not over!

Yes there is circulation space, but it's involved redesigning an entire bunk to make beer storage its primary purpose and sleeping secondary - though the beer does help the sleeping.

 

[John100156]

I would recommend sheet Armaflex, used extensively by air conditioning and refrigeration companies:

http://www.pipelagging.com/armaflex-black-class-pipe-insulation-class-armaflex-sheet-c-9_10.html

 

[charles_reed]

You really need a reflective surface as well as a insulating material.

Celotex is low-tech, but cheap, you'll need 100mm to be any good, but there are a number of composites, based on acrylics, which will give you as good an insulating properties as 100mm of dry Celotex, in damp conditions, in as little as 12mm.

An easy-to-use alternative is PU foam, but that can become waterlogged and almost useless.

Thermaflex is quite good being a composite with a reflective surface, but again is easily bridged by getting wet.

 

[John100156]

It is not the reflectiveness of the surface thats important, of course this would be useless in the dark, the foil functions as an impermeable vapour barrier and is used to stop transmission of moisture.

Armaflex has excellent thermal and permeability characteristics which is why it is used to insulate cold room and air conditioning refrigeration pipes.

However, as has been suggested there are cheaper alternatives! I would recommend Armaflex sheet.