5 Things to Know Before Buying fsk foil faced insulation

When it comes to fiberglass insulation, there are a variety of facings available to meet the unique needs of varied HVAC and mechanical applications.  That said, when it comes to selecting a facing material, there’s are a variety of nuanced details that should influence your facing material selection. Facings serve a variety of purposes, ranging from aesthetics to limiting vapor drive. As you consider which facing is best for your application, there are a number of characteristics you’ll want to consider before you make your selection.

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Today, we’ll compare the characteristics of four different kinds of facing offered by JM: foil scrim kraft (FSK), poly scrim kraft (PSK), all service jacket (ASJ), and polypropylene-coated (“poly-top”) ASJ.

In terms of functionality, facing is often used to limit vapor drive with the ultimate goal of preventing condensation. This is a two-part function of the facing (preventing vapor drive) and the insulation thickness (controlling temperature). System designers aim to prevent condensation for a myriad of reasons, including preventing mold or fungus growth, pipe corrosion, and inhibited thermal performance (if the insulation gets wet). Facing materials are used to minimize vapor drive between the ambient air outside the insulation and the surface of the pipe/duct, subsequently preventing condensation from forming on the surface of the pipe/duct or the surface of the insulation.

As you explore facing options to minimize vapor dive, the first thing you will want to consider is the facing’s “perm rating.” Perm ratings measure the water vapor permeability of a material, or the ability for water vapor to pass through the facing. Perm ratings for vapor barriers range between 0-10, and materials are classified as permeable or impermeable based on where their perm rating falls. Any material with a perm rating that is less than 0.1 is considered a Class I Impermeable Vapor Retarder (vapor barrier). As the perm rating moves higher, the facing becomes more permeable, falling into a Class II Semi-Permeable Vapor Retarder (ranging from 0.1 – 1) and a Class III Permeable Vapor Retarder (ranging from 1-10). Materials that have a perm rating that exceeds 10 should not be used as a vapor retarder because they are too permeable.1

By understanding the perm rating of the facing, you’ll have a better understanding of how it can perform in the real-world application. Perm ratings are crucial when insulating below ambient systems, chilled water systems, or systems in humid environments as condensation is much more likely to form in these types of applications. The facings outlined in this blog have very low perm ratings that fall in the Class 1 Impermeable Vapor Retarder category:

• FSK: 0.02
• PSK: 0.02
• ASJ: 0.02
• Poly-top ASJ: 0.01

Notably, the polypropylene coating on the poly-top ASJ adds a little extra punch to the perm rating. Additionally, it makes the facing slightly more water-resistant than the standard ASJ facing.

In addition to perm ratings, you’ll want to consider is whether the material is being used indoors or outdoors. In all outdoor applications, any faced fiberglass insulation, regardless of the type of facing, will need to be jacketed with a weather-proof jacketing. This jacketing could be a UV-resistant PVC, multi-layer laminate exterior cladding, or an aluminum metal jacketing. Since the material will be covered by the jacketing in an outdoor application, the aesthetics of the insulation and facing are rarely a concern for these types of applications. For this reason, most specifiers opt for FSK facing on materials that are going to be used in outdoor applications as it tends to be less expensive and more readily available. FSK facing is silver in color, just like aluminum foil, and it is one of the most common insulation facings on the market.

While ASJ and PSK facings could also be used outside, the material tends to be somewhat more expensive than FSK and thus they are less commonly used outdoors. ASJ and PSK facings are far more prevalent indoors because they are white and can offer a clean, uniform finish that comes close to matching white painted walls. These types of facing are very common exposed systems when aesthetics are a priority.

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Finally, system designers should consider the puncture resistance of the facing. This is key to the handleability and durability of the material. The material needs to be cuttable and handleable during the installation, but it also needs to be able to resist damage as a punctured facing means an ineffective vapor barrier. In mechanical insulations, they measure puncture resistance in pounds per square inch.

• ASJ: 55 PSI
• Poly-top ASJ: 100 PSI

If you would like to learn more about insulation facing options and the innovative new, paper-free poly-top facing JM will be releasing in April, we’d like to invite you to attend our live webinar with Scott Witherow from Design Polymerics, Optimizing Insulation System Design with Mastics and Facings. We’ll be taking a deep dive into JM’s insulation facing options, and how to create sealed systems with mastics on April 17th at 2:00 PM ET.

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We all know that having a home properly insulated is incredibly important for the longterm cost savings of ownership. If the building doesn’t have the right type of insulation, it can add up thousands of dollars toward your energy bills. You’re essentially letting dollar bills fly right out the open window every hot or cold season. If the air is escaping too quickly, then your A/C or heater is working overtime to keep the temperature of your home at a comfortable level. The best way to save money on energy costs is to maintain proper insulation. Insulation can wear away and go bad over time. Over the years, advances have been made as different types of insulation that homeowners use. You might know that faced insulation is the most popular, but is that the right choice for you? You might find instead that unfaced insulation would work better with your particular home. Let’s take a look at the difference between the two as well as the individual advantages they bring.

The Difference Between Faced And Unfaced Insulation

Most types of insulation come as faced. Faced just means that kraft paper is attached to the insulation itself. The paper helps improve the sturdiness of the insulation so it doesn’t fall down as much. Unfaced insulation is just as good as faced, but it doesn’t have that paper attached to it. So, the big question here is, what’s the difference between the two beyond one has paper and the other doesn’t? In reality, think of choosing the right insulation for your home the same way you would buy gas for your car. There are different types of fuel that perform differently, but all can be used to power your car. To a contractor, the type of insulation you choose really is based on preference. Faced insulation doesn’t just come in paper. It can also be vinyl and aluminum, so if you’re doing the project yourself, you need to know what you’re working with.

How Does Paper Insulation Work?

Another important factor to consider when choosing your insulation type is what your state guidelines say should be used. Paper faced insulation has the added benefit of providing a moisture barrier that keeps water from being absorbed by the wall or into the rest of the home. After some research, you might find out that your state government might require this type. You can choose other types of insulation, but most of those can’t be installed by the average layperson. They require professional knowledge and tools while also meeting state and federal guidelines for proper installation. The best thing to do is to keep all of this in mind when considering your insulation options. To learn more, be sure to visit https://www.insulation4us.com/ today.

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