UKFR - ROOFING AND INSULATION SPECIALISTS

Ecotherm vs Kingspan

Ecotherm and Kingspan are two of the most recognised and trusted brands on the market, and are used across thousands of homes all across the country. But which one is better? In some cases, there’s no difference at all because Ecotherm is owned by Kingspan, and several products are produced in the same factory, often to identical specifications. This said, there are still some key differences when comparing the two, including price, performance and suitable application. In this guide, we’ll explore where the two brands overlap, where they differ, and help you decide which one is the best fit for your project.

Brief Overview

Before we jump into the full product-on-product comparisons, we’ve put together a quick side-by-side comparison of the brands.

Ecotherm	Kingspan
✅ Slightly Cheaper	❌ Slightly more expensive
✅ Good thermal performance (up to 0.022W/mK)	✅ Better thermal efficiency (up to 0.018W/mK)
✅ Suitable for warm deck flat roofs	✅ Suitable for warm deck flat roofs
✅ Suitable for general use	✅ Suitable for general use
❌ Limited moisture resistance	✅ Highly moisture-resistant
✅ PIR insulation	✅ PIR & Phenolic insulation
✅ Easy to install	✅ Easy to install

Shop Ecotherm Insulation →Shop Kingspan Insulation →

Waterproofing systems

Ecotherm products are made in the same factory as Kingspan, and because of this, share the exact same specifications across flat roofing insulation products.

Both ranges are compatible with multiple waterproofing systems and benefit from high compressive strength and excellent dimensional stability to ensure optimal performance on new build and refurbishment projects.

Ecotherm and Kingspan ranges span all types of flat roofing applications:

Bitumen-faced (Torch-on systems): Ecotherm Innotorch and Kingspan TR24
Foil-faced (Mechanically-fixed systems): EcoTherm Innofix and Kingspan TR26
Tissue-faced (Fully-adhered systems): Ecotherm InnoBond and Kingspan TR27

So, how do these compare? Remember, as they’re made in the same factory, they will share the same specifications, which is why we’ve combined them in the table below.

Criteria	InnoTorch / TR24	InnoFix / TR26	InnoBond / TR27
Application	Fully Bonded & Partially Bonded bituminous torch-applied multi layer waterproofing. (Torch on Felt)	Mechanically fixed single-ply membranes on flat roofs	Fully adhered or partially bonded single-ply membranes, liquid or flexible GRP with carrier membranes.
Core Material	PIR (polyisocyanurate)	PIR (polyisocyanurate)	PIR (polyisocyanurate)
Facings	Bitumen-faced top & Mineral-coated glass lower	Aluminium foil on both sides	Mineral-coated glass fleece on both sides
Compressive Strength	150 kPa	150 kPa	150 kPa
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.024–0.027 W/mK, depending on thickness	0.022 W/mK	0.024 W/mK
Typical Board Size	1200 x 600mm	1200 x 2400mm	1200 x 1200mm
Thickness	30-150mm	25-150mm	25-150mm

Shop Bitumen-Faced Insulation Boards →Shop Foil-Faced Insulation Boards →Shop Tissue-Faced Insulation Boards →

Insulated plasterboard

Criteria	Ecotherm Ecoliner	Kingspan Kooltherm K118
Thermal Conductivity	0.022 W/mK	0.019 W/mK
Material Composition	PIR foam core + 12.5mm tapered edge plasterboard	Phenolic Rigid foam + 12.5mm tapered edge plasterboard
Moisture Resistance	Excellent	Excellent
Durability	Rigid and durable	Rigid and durable
Fire Ratings	Euroclass F – Contributes towards the spread of fire	Euroclass B – Better fire resistance, lower smoke emissions
Environmental Impact	Similar environmental profile	Similar environmental profile, but higher efficiency may reduce energy use
Cost	Lower initial cost	Higher initial cost but better thermal performance

What is the best insulated plasterboard?

Kingspan Kooltherm K118 is the best option due to its phenolic composition, which offers a superior thermal and moisture-resistant performance.

If you have a tighter budget, EcoLiner will be the better product for you – whilst it doesn’t achieve the same thermal performance as K118, it is certainly more than suitable for general plasterboard applications.

Shop Insulated Plasterboard →

Cavity Boards

Criteria	Eco-Cavity	Kooltherm K106 (Phenolic)	Kooltherm K108 (Phenolic)
Thermal Conductivity (λ-value)	0.022 W/m·K	0.019 W/m·K	0.019 W/m·K
Material Composition	PIR core with low emissivity foil facings	Rigid phenolic with water-tight fleece outer facing	Rigid phenolic with low emissivity foil facings
Moisture Resistance	Good (foil-faced PIR)	Enhanced moisture resistance due to water-tight fleece	Moderate moisture resistance with foil facings
Durability	Rigid, long-lasting PIR board	Long-lasting rigid foam	Long-lasting rigid foam
Installation	Suitable for partial-fill cavity wall installations	Compact boards designed for full-fill cavity walls (10mm residual cavity)	Compact boards designed for partial-fill cavity walls
Cost	More affordable	More expensive	More expensive

Shop Cavity Wall Insulation →Shop Kooltherm K106 →Shop Kooltherm K108 →

Which is the best for cavity walls?

The answer to this depends entirely on your wall cavity – whether it’s partial-fill or full-fill.

Partial-fill cavity walls

Eco-Cavity is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a cost-effective solution that offers reliable thermal performance at a lower upfront cost.

Kooltherm K108 is the premium option, delivering superior thermal performance for projects aiming to achieve the lowest possible U-values.

Full-fill cavity walls

Kooltherm K106 is the best option for full-fill applications. It combines excellent thermal performance with enhanced moisture resistance, thanks to its water-tight fleece outer facing.

Which is cheaper?

Money is often the biggest factor you’ll be considering in your insulation project – however, it shouldn’t be the only thing to consider. The solution you choose can have a massive impact on your long-term costs.

Upfront costs – Price per Square Metre

Ecotherm typically ranges from £15–£30/m²

Kingspan typically ranges between £25-£40/m²

Long-term costs – Energy Efficiency & Savings

Adding insulation to your home is a smart investment that can lead to significant energy savings, no matter the brand you choose. On average, you can cut your energy bills by as much as 50%, which translates to around £300 to £500 in annual savings for a typical household.

That said, Kingspan’s products often deliver superior thermal efficiency, especially those with a phenolic core, making them especially effective in situations where space is limited, such as narrow wall cavities. In these cases, you can achieve better insulation values with thinner boards, leading to greater long-term savings.

Which is right for me?

At the end of the day, Ecotherm and Kingspan are made in the same factory, so the choice really comes down to budget and priorities.

If you need to save as much money as possible and are looking for the most cost-effective solution, Ecotherm will be the right choice.

If you’re looking for a superior thermal performance, especially in insulated plasterboard and cavity walls, Kingspan will be the better choice. If you need any help with your insulation project.

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