Types of Facers and Facing Materials
Facers and facing materials serve a variety of functions in the production and use of polyiso insulation. During the manufacture of polyiso board, facers are used to contain the foam core in the laminator to accommodate a continuous production process.
After manufacture, facers add strength and dimensional stability to the finished insulation board.
Facers and facing materials also serve a number of functions during the service life of the product. While characteristics are dependent upon the specific type of facer or facing material used, these functions may include:
- Providing a substrate compatible with other building materials
- Reducing water absorption and water vapor permeance
- Restricting air movement
- Increasing thermal resistance
- Creating a drainage plane to shed water
- Adding radiative properties to wall and roof assemblies
The various facer types and facing materials that are used to manufacture polyiso products are described below. For additional detail on polyiso facer types and how polyiso products are classified under the applicable U.S. and Canadian standards,
consult PIMA Technical Bulletin 117 - Polyiso Insulation Types: Guidance for Classifying Polyiso Board Insulation Products.
Aluminum Foil Facer (AFF)
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type I, Class 1 or Class 2
Description: AFF is composed of aluminum foil that may be coated and/or laminated to a supporting substrate. (See Note 1)
Common Applications: Roof, Wall and Below-Grade
Glass Reinforced Facer (GRF)
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type II, Class 1 or Class 5
Description: GRF is composed of a blend of cellulosic fibers and glass fibers. (See Notes 1 and 2)
Common Applications: Roof
Coated Glass Facer (CGF)
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type II, Class 2 or Class 4
Description: CGF is composed of coated, polymer bonded fibrous glass mats bonded with organic polymer binders and coated with organic polymer, clay,
or other inorganic substances. The coating may be applied either to the glass fibers before bonding into mats or after the glass mats are bonded together. (See Notes 1 and 3)
Common Applications: Roof, Wall Below-Grade, Roof Coverboard, Roof (Base Layer)
Perlite Board
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type III
Description: Perlite board used as a facer shall conform to ASTM C728 Standard Specification.
Common Applications: Roof (Not typically used anymore.)
Cellulosic Fiber Board
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type IV
Description: Cellulosic fiber board used as a facer shall conform to ASTM C208 Standard Specification.
Common Applications: Wall (Residential)
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type V
Description: OSB used as a facer shall conform to U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS 2–10.
Common Applications: Roof, Roof (Nailbase) and Wall
Plywood
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type V
Description: Plywood used as a facer shall conform to U.S. Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-09 or PS 2–10.
Common Applications: Roof, Roof (Nailbase) and
Wall
Glass-Mat Faced Gypsum Board
ASTM C1289 Polyiso Classification: Type VII
Description: Glass-mat faced gypsum board used as a facer shall conform to ASTM C1177/C1177M Standard Specification.
Common Applications: Roof
Notes:
1. Because no current ASTM standards are available for FF, GRF, CGF, and AGF products, the definitions provided above rely on description in ASTM C1289 Standard Specification for Faced Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation as well as generic. These facers are produced by a number of different manufacturers in North America, and the properties of the facers themselves may differ. In addition, the properties of polyiso boards, such as water absorption, vapor permeance, strength,
and dimensional stability may vary depending on the exact composition of a given type of facer. However, in all cases the final product shall always meet the requirements of ASTM C1289 Standard Specification.
2. Felts are made with organic fibers, inorganic fibers, or mixtures of organic and inorganic fibers.
3. Glass fiber mats are used uncoated or coated.
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