Celotex vs Kingspan: Which Insulation Is Better?

by Robert Haynes on December 02, 2025

When researching insulation for your home or building project, one of the most common comparisons people search for is “Celotex vs Kingspan – which is better?” Both brands are major players in the UK market, offering high-quality PIR insulation boards suitable for walls, roofs and floors. Kingspan also manufactures the premium Kooltherm phenolic range, which performs differently from standard PIR.

This guide provides a clear comparison of Celotex vs Kingspan, explaining the differences, performance levels and the best choice for your project.

What’s the Difference Between Celotex and Kingspan?

The key difference lies not in their standard PIR boards, but in Kingspan’s extra product line:

  • Celotex TB / GA / XR = PIR insulation
  • Kingspan TP / TW / TF (Therma range) = PIR insulation
  • Kingspan Kooltherm (K range) = Phenolic insulation (higher performance)

When comparing standard PIR boards, Celotex and Kingspan are effectively like-for-like products with extremely similar performance. The only meaningful performance jump comes from Kingspan’s Kooltherm phenolic insulation.

Celotex vs Kingspan PIR Boards (TB/GA/XR vs TP/TW/TF)

If you're comparing Celotex PIR vs Kingspan PIR, the differences are minimal:

  • Both use PIR rigid foam.
  • Both have similar thermal conductivity values.
  • Both are suitable for walls, roofs and floors.
  • Both meet common building regulations.
  • Both cut, fix and install in almost exactly the same way.

When comparing Celotex TB/GA/XR with Kingspan TP/TW/TF, you’re essentially looking at the same type of insulation with different branding.

Because performance is so similar, the choice often comes down to:

  • Price on the day
  • Local availability
  • Personal preference
  • Existing specification

If you're wondering “Is Celotex the same as Kingspan?” or “Are they interchangeable?” — for standard PIR boards, the answer is yes.

Kooltherm vs Celotex: The Big Performance Difference

Many people searching “Which is better, Celotex or Kingspan?” are actually comparing Celotex PIR with Kingspan’s Kooltherm phenolic insulation.

Kooltherm is not PIR — it’s phenolic insulation, and it performs significantly better:

  • Lower thermal conductivity (more insulation per mm)
  • Thinner build-ups
  • Ideal for space-restricted applications
  • Often used in high-performance specifications

If you’re comparing Celotex vs Kingspan Kooltherm, Kooltherm almost always wins in thermal performance — although it does cost more.

Common search queries include:

  • “Is Kingspan Kooltherm better than Celotex?”
  • “Kooltherm vs PIR insulation”
  • “Is phenolic insulation better than PIR?”

The simple answer: yes — phenolic insulation outperforms PIR.

Celotex vs Kingspan: Which Is Better for Each Application?

Cavity Walls

Pitched Roofs / Loft Rafters

  • Best value: Celotex XR or Kingspan TF
  • Best for tight spaces: Kooltherm K7/K107

Floors

  • Comparable performance: Celotex PIR and Kingspan PIR
  • Premium option: Kooltherm K3 for restricted depths

Internal Wall Linings / Insulated Plasterboard

Both brands manufacture insulated plasterboard, but Kooltherm boards offer thinner, higher-performance solutions.

Price Comparison: Celotex vs Kingspan

If you're asking “Which is cheaper, Celotex or Kingspan?” here's the general trend:

  • Celotex PIR vs Kingspan PIR: often similar in price, though Celotex can be cheaper depending on supplier.
  • Kooltherm: higher cost due to superior performance.

If cost is more important than thickness, PIR from either brand offers excellent value.

Quick Decision Guide

Choose Celotex PIR or Kingspan PIR if:

  • You want good performance at a reasonable cost
  • You have no strict thickness limitations
  • You want like-for-like alternatives depending on availability or price

Choose Kingspan Kooltherm if:

  • Space is tight
  • You need the highest insulation performance
  • You want lower U-values with minimal build-up
  • You’re following a premium specification

Final Verdict: Celotex vs Kingspan — Which Is Better?

For standard PIR insulation boards, neither brand is objectively “better”Celotex and Kingspan PIR products (TB/GA/XR vs TP/TW/TF) are extremely similar and often interchangeable.

However, when comparing overall performance, Kingspan comes out ahead thanks to the Kooltherm range. Its phenolic core provides superior thermal efficiency, making it the best option when you need high performance or reduced thickness.

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