UKFR - ROOFING AND INSULATION SPECIALISTS

Recticel vs Kingspan - Which is better?

Recticel and Kingspan are two of the biggest insulation brands and share very similar product ranges. So, how do the products differ? Generally speaking, Kingspan is seen as the more premium option compared to Recticel, offering superior thermal performance in cavity wall application due to its phenolic core. However, not all of Kingspan’s insulation products are made using a phenolic core, and instead have the same as Recticel and many other insulation brands - PIR, which makes the choice between both brands less clear-cut. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Recticel and Kingspan, comparing both brands' products based on the application they have been made for, so you can make a decision that’s right for you.

Brief Overview

We understand not everyone has the time to read an in-depth blog, so we’ve put together a brief overview below comparing Recticel and Kingspan side by side.

Recticel	Kingspan
✅ Slightly cheaper	❌ Slightly more expensive
✅ Good thermal performance (0.022 W/m·K)	✅ Better thermal performance (up to 0.018 W/m·K)
✅ Highly moisture-resistant	✅ Highly moisture-resistant
✅ Suitable for general use	✅ Suitable for general use
✅ Suitable range of boards for warm deck flat roofs	✅ Suitable range of boards for warm deck flat roofs
✅ PIR insulation	✅ PIR & Phenolic insulation
✅ Easy to install	✅ Easy to install

Shop Recticel Insulation →Shop Kingspan Insulation →

1. Multipurpose Insulation

Criteria	Recticel GP	Kingspan TP10/TW55/TF70
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.022 W/mK	0.012 W/mK
Material Composition	PIR foam core with low emissivity foil facings on both sides.	PIR foam core with low emissivity foil facings on both sides.
Durability	Good – 120kPa compressive strength <50mm & 140kPa on 50mm to 160mm.	Higher – 140kPa at 10% compression.
Cost	Slightly Cheaper	More expensive
Application	Suitable for floors, pitched roofs, internal walls, ceiling and lofts.	TP10: Pitched roofs TW55: Timber & steel frame walls TF70: Floors
Thickness	25mm – 160mm	20mm – 150mm

What is the best multipurpose insulation?

Recticel and Kingspan both offer excellent multipurpose insulation options, notably sharing the same thermal conductivity and only really differing in available thickness and compressive strength.

Therefore, if you’re looking for the most cost-effective option with excellent all-round performance, Recticel GP is hard to beat. However, if you want slightly higher compressive strength, Kingspan TP10/TW55/TF70 will be more suitable.

Shop Recticel GP →

2. Cavity walls

Partial-fill Cavity Walls

Criteria	Recticel Eurowall (PIR)	Kingspan Kooltherm K108 (Phenolic)
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.022 W/mK	0.019 W/mK
Material Composition	PIR foam core with low-emissivity foil facings	Phenolic foam core with low-emissivity foil facings
Moisture Resistance	Good (foil facings provide resistance)	Good (foil facings resist moisture ingress)
Durability	Long-lasting rigid PIR board	Long-lasting, dimensionally stable rigid phenolic
Installation	Straight-edge boards, easy to fit in cavity walls	Straight-edge boards, compact cavity-fit
Thickness Range	30 – 100 mm	40 – 150 mm
Board Size	1200 × 450 mm	1200 × 450 mm
Cost	Cheaper	More expensive

What is the best for partial-fill cavity walls?

Both brands offer excellent insulation for partial-fill cavity walls; however, Kingspan, although slightly more expensive, provides greater thermal conductivity compared to Recticel due to its phenolic core.

Therefore, Kingspan K108 is more suitable if you have a tight cavity space and need to achieve a very low U-value with minimal thickness. However, if you’re on a tight budget, Recticel Eurowall delivers good value for money while providing long-lasting performance.

Shop Recticel Eurowall →Shop Kingspan K108 →

Full-fill Cavity Walls

Criteria	Recticel Eurowall+ (PIR)	Kingspan Kooltherm K106 (Phenolic)
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.022 W/mK	0.022 W/mK
Material Composition	PIR foam core with low-emissivity foil facings	Phenolic foam core with water-tight fleece outer facing
Moisture Resistance	Good (foil facings provide resistance)	Enhanced (water-tight fleece adds protection)
Durability	Long-lasting rigid PIR board	Long-lasting rigid phenolic board
Installation	Advanced tongue-and-groove boards for a close fit	Compact straight-edge boards for full-fill with residual cavity (10 mm residual cavity)
Thickness Range	90 – 140 mm	90 & 115mm
Board Size	1190 x 450mm (installed dimensions, including tongue and groove joint)	1200 × 450 mm
Cost	Slightly cheaper	More expensive

What is the best for full-fill cavity walls?

There are a few key differences between the brands when it comes to insulating full-fill cavity walls.

If you have a tight cavity space, need to achieve a low U-value, and want the reassurance of enhanced moisture resistance, Kingspan K106 will be the better option.

However, if you’re working with a tighter budget, Recticel Eurowall+ will be more suitable, offering a cost-effective, durable solution that still delivers reliable thermal performance for full-fill cavity wall applications.

Shop Recticel Eurowall+ →Shop Kingspan K106 →

3. Flat roof boards

As mentioned before, Recticel and Kingspan both offer suitable products for waterproofing systems.

Torch-on systems – Powerdeck U vs Kingspan TR24

Criteria	Powerdeck U	Kingspan TR24
Application	Torch-on-Bitumen Applied Waterproofing Systems	Torch-on-Bitumen Applied Waterproofing Systems
Core Material	PIR (polyisocyanurate)	PIR (polyisocyanurate)
Facings	Bitumen-faced upper & Mineral-coated glass lowe	Bitumen-faced upper & Mineral-coated glass lowe
Compressive strength	150 kPa	150 kPa
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.024 – 0.027 W/mK, depending on thickness	0.024 – 0.027 W/mK, depending on thickness
Typical Board Size	1200 × 600 mm	1200 × 600 mm
Thickness	30 – 150 mm	30 – 150 mm
Cost	Slightly cheaper	More expensive

Which is better for torch-on systems?

There is little to separate the two brands for torch-on systems, as both deliver excellent thermal efficiency and durability.

If you’re looking for the most cost-effective solution, Recticel will be the better choice. However, if cost is less of a concern, and you want an insulation optimised for torch-on membranes, Kingspan TR24 will be the better option.

Shop Recticel Powerdeck U →

Mechanically-fixed systems – Eurodeck vs Kingspan TR26

Criteria	Eurodeck	Kingspan TR26
Application	Mechanically fixed single-ply membranes on flat roofs	Mechanically fixed single-ply membranes on flat roofs
Core Material	PIR (polyisocyanurate	PIR (polyisocyanurate
Facings	Aluminium foil on both sides	Aluminium foil on both sides
Compressive strength	150 kPa	150 kPa
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.022 W/mK	0.022 W/mK
Typical Board Size	1200 × 2400 mm	1200 × 2400 mm
Thickness	25-160 mm	25-160 mm
Cost	Slightly cheaper	Slightly more expensive

What is better for mechanically fixed systems?

Both products offer identical facings, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, board size and available thickness; the only difference between the two is cost. Therefore, if you’re operating on a tight budget, Eurodeck will be the better option.

It’s important to note however that insulation is sold in varying thickness, so the Kingspan option may work out cheaper for you depending on your required thickness and total sheets.

Shop Recticel Eurodeck →Shop Kingspan TR26 →

Fully-adhered systems – Powerdeck F vs Kingspan TR27

Criteria	Powerdeck F	Kingspan TR27<
Application	Fully adhered or partially bonded single-ply, liquid or flexible GRP system with carrier membranes.	Fully adhered or partially bonded single-ply, liquid or flexible GRP system with carrier membranes.
Core Material	PIR (polyisocyanurate	PIR (polyisocyanurate
Facings	Mineral-coated glass fleece on both sides	Mineral-coated glass fleece on both sides
Compressive strength	150 kPa	150 kPa
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.024 – 0.027 W/mK	0.024 – 0.027 W/mK
Typical Board Size	1200 x 600mm	1200 × 1200 mm (25mm board = 600mm x 1200mm)
Thickness	25 – 150mm	25 – 150mm
Cost	Slightly cheaper	Slightly more expensive

Which is the better option for fully-adhered systems?

Similar to torch-on and mechanically-fixed systems, both brands are very similar in criteria, sharing the same material composition, thermal conductivity, facings and compressive strength.

That said, they do slightly differ in available sizes, with Kingspan TR27 offering a larger insulation board at 1200mm x 1200mm which is generally more popular (with the 25mm board being an exception at 600mm x 1200mm),whereas the Recticel Powerdeck F is a 600mm x 1200mm as standard. If you are gluing the insulation boards, Recticel Powerdeck F is the more cost-effective solution.

Shop Recticel Powerdeck F →Shop Kingspan TR27 →

Which is cheaper?

When choosing between Recticel and Kingspan, price is often a big factor — but it shouldn’t be the only one. The system you pick will also influence your long-term running costs, not just the upfront spend.

Upfront costs – Price per Square Meter

Recticel typically ranges from £15-£25/m²

Kingspan typically ranges between £25-£40/m²

Long-term costs

Both Recticel and Kingspan use high-performance PIR insulation, which will significantly help cut heating bills. In some cases, your energy costs will reduce by 50% saving you an average household around £300–£500 a year.

Whilst Recticel is cheaper up-front, when it comes to insulating cavity walls, Kingspan’s phenolic core makes it far more thermally efficient, making it more effective in situations where space is limited.

Which is right for me?

The choice between Recticel and Kingspan will lie in your priorities and budget.

If you’re on a budget, Recticel is an affordable solution offering great thermal performance. If you’re looking for superior performance, particularly in cavity walls, Kingspan will be the better option as its phenolic core makes it far more thermally efficient.

If you need any help with your insulation project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. UKFR is a family-run business, and with extensive knowledge of insulation and flat roofing, we’re here to help you find what you need for your project.

Speak To Us Today →

Recticel vs Kingspan - Which is better?

Brief Overview

1. Multipurpose Insulation

What is the best multipurpose insulation?

2. Cavity walls

Partial-fill Cavity Walls

What is the best for partial-fill cavity walls?

Full-fill Cavity Walls

What is the best for full-fill cavity walls?

3. Flat roof boards

Torch-on systems – Powerdeck U vs Kingspan TR24

Which is better for torch-on systems?

Mechanically-fixed systems – Eurodeck vs Kingspan TR26

What is better for mechanically fixed systems?

Fully-adhered systems – Powerdeck F vs Kingspan TR27

Which is the better option for fully-adhered systems?

Which is cheaper?

Which is right for me?

Customer Reviews

Recticel vs Kingspan - Which is better?

Brief Overview

1. Multipurpose Insulation

What is the best multipurpose insulation?

2. Cavity walls

Partial-fill Cavity Walls

What is the best for partial-fill cavity walls?

Full-fill Cavity Walls

What is the best for full-fill cavity walls?

3. Flat roof boards

Torch-on systems – Powerdeck U vs Kingspan TR24

Which is better for torch-on systems?

Mechanically-fixed systems – Eurodeck vs Kingspan TR26

What is better for mechanically fixed systems?

Fully-adhered systems – Powerdeck F vs Kingspan TR27

Which is the better option for fully-adhered systems?

Which is cheaper?

Which is right for me?

Customer Reviews