Insulation Facing Comparison — All 9 Options Side by Side
Nine different fiberglass facing systems. Each solves a specific climate, aesthetic, or performance requirement. This side-by-side lets you pick by perm rating, tensile strength, price, or use case — not by best guess.
Sortable Facing Specification Table
Click any column header to sort ascending; click again to reverse. Row totals reflect the wholesale rate at R-19 as the standard reference thickness.
| Facing ↓↑ | NAIMA Class | R-Range ↓↑ | Perm ↓↑ | Tensile ↓↑ | R-19 Rate ↓↑ | Widths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR-R Plus (White) | PSP | R-8 to R-30 | 0.02 perms Vapor barrier |
35 lbs/in | $0.90 | 4, 5, 6 ft | General-purpose metal buildings, pole barns, standard walls See product › |
| WMP-10 (White) | PSK-STD | R-8 to R-25 | 10 perms Dry-climate |
40 lbs/in | $0.96 | 4, 5, 6 ft | Dry-climate metal buildings and pole barns See product › |
| WMP-30 (White) | PSK-HD | R-8 to R-25 | 30 perms Humid climate |
50 lbs/in | $0.96 | 4, 5, 6, 8 ft | Humid climates, wide-purlin buildings (8-ft rolls unique) See product › |
| WMP-50 (White) | PSKP | R-8 to R-30 | 50 perms Warehouse-grade |
65 lbs/in | $0.96 | 4, 5, 6 ft | Warehouses, distribution centers, aircraft hangars, humid commercial See product › |
| VR-R Plus Black | PSP Black | R-8 to R-25 | 0.02 perms Vapor barrier |
35 lbs/in | $0.96 | 4, 5, 6 ft | Home theater, dark aesthetic residential, glare control See product › |
| WMP-10 Black | PSK-STD Black | R-8 to R-25 | 10 perms Dry-climate |
40 lbs/in | $1.02 | 4, 5, 6 ft | Dark-interior dry-climate builds, barndominium interior See product › |
| WMP-50 Black | PSKP Black | R-8 to R-25 | 50 perms Warehouse-grade |
65 lbs/in | $1.02 | 4, 5, 6 ft | Dark commercial warehouses, humid dark interiors, studios See product › |
| Foil-Faced | Aluminum foil laminate | R-8 to R-25 | 0.05 perms Vapor + radiant barrier |
45 lbs/in | $1.12 | 4, 5, 6 ft | Attic, cathedral ceiling, radiant-critical hot climates See product › |
| Unfaced | No facing | R-8 to R-38 | N/A (open) Sound absorbing |
N/A | $0.75 | 15 in, 23 in batts | Home theater, podcast studio, double-layer, retrofits See product › |
Pick By Your Build Priority
Answer the question that describes your build. Follow the decision path to the facing that fits.
Pick Unfaced ($0.75 at R-19) if you can add a separate vapor retarder, or VR-R Plus White ($0.90 at R-19) if you need the facing built in.
See VR-R Plus pricing ›Pick WMP-30 (30 perm) or WMP-50 (50 perm). High-perm facing lets moisture escape instead of trapping it against the vapor retarder.
See WMP-30 pricing ›Pick WMP-30 — the only facing offered in 8-ft-wide rolls. Eliminates a center seam and speeds install on large-span buildings.
See WMP-30 8-ft rolls ›Pick Foil-Faced (97% radiant reflection) or WMP-50 (metalized backing reflects ~85%). Both cut roof heat gain significantly.
See Foil-Faced pricing ›Pick VR-R Plus Black (dry climate) or WMP-50 Black (humid climate). Both give glare-free dark interior with the acoustic performance of the underlying fiberglass.
See Black-Faced pricing ›Pick WMP-50 — 65 lbs/in tensile strength (industry-leading), 50-perm rating handles humid loading dock conditions, metalized backing helps HVAC efficiency.
See WMP-50 pricing ›Pick Unfaced for maximum NRC. No facing means no reflection back into the room. Combine with acoustic drywall or panels on the visible side.
See NRC guide ›Pick VR-R Plus (White). Most-installed facing in the NAIMA lineup, works in most climates, best value at every R-value.
See VR-R Plus pricing ›Why the Perm Number Matters
Perm rating measures how much water vapor passes through the facing per hour per square foot. Higher perm = more vapor movement allowed. The right choice depends entirely on your climate.
VR-R Plus, Foil-Faced. Acts as a vapor barrier. Use in dry or cold climates where you want to keep interior moisture out of the wall assembly.
WMP-10, WMP-30. Middle ground. Use in mixed climates where you want some vapor exchange but still need a vapor retarder.
WMP-50. Vapor open. Use in humid climates where you want moisture to migrate out of the wall assembly rather than get trapped.
No vapor retarder. Requires separate vapor barrier film in the assembly if code demands one. Best for acoustic-only applications.
Facing Comparison FAQ
What is the difference between WMP-10, WMP-30, and WMP-50?
The number in the WMP name refers to the vapor permeability rating. WMP-10 is a 10-perm facing suited to dry climates. WMP-30 is 30-perm heavy-duty and the only 8-ft-wide option available. WMP-50 is 50-perm premium with the highest tensile strength (65 lbs/in) plus a metalized backing for radiant control.
What is PSP vs PSK vs PSKP?
PSP = polypropylene-scrim-polyester (VR-R Plus). PSK = polypropylene-scrim-kraft (WMP-10 standard, WMP-30 heavy-duty). PSKP = metalized polyester-scrim-kraft-polypropylene (WMP-50). All are NAIMA classifications; the letters denote the specific layer construction of each facing material.
Which facing works best for a home theater?
Unfaced fiberglass gives the best pure acoustic absorption. Black-faced (VR-R Plus Black or WMP-50 Black) combines acoustic absorption with a dark interior aesthetic that eliminates projector glare. See our NRC guide for full recommendations.
Is high-perm always better in humid climates?
Generally yes, but not universally. In humid climates with air conditioning, high-perm facings (WMP-30, WMP-50) let moisture migrate out of the wall assembly rather than condensing inside. In humid climates without AC (open agricultural buildings), the difference matters less because the interior humidity is already close to exterior humidity.
Does the black variant of WMP-50 have the same tensile strength?
Yes. The black facing uses the same PSKP construction as the white version, just with dark pigmentation added to the polyester layer. Tensile strength, perm rating, fire rating, and thermal performance are identical. The only differences are visual color and a $0.06 to $0.06 per sq ft premium for the black facing.
Ready to Price It?
Pick your facing and R-value in the calculator. See wholesale rate, freight to your state, and the buyer-offered service fee range as three separate lines.