Mechanical fasteners (in addition to adhesive) are always recommended for installing insulation with a barrier layer. As the
boat moves, rocks, or pounds though waves the weight of the insulation is pulling on the foam and over time will stretch it until there is a failure.
If you are installing the insulation on material that will accept a screw, then screws and
fender washers are the cheapest and easiest option. Make sure to run the drill in reverse when you are penetrating the foam so material does not wrap in the threads and tear out. Turn the drill into forward when you hit the substrate and tighten so the washer just dimples the face.
If you can not use screw fasteners then pins and washers are your best bet. The pins should have a perforated base, which allows the
adhesive to flow through and create a mechanical bond in addition to the chemical bond. Adhesives should be high viscosity, structural adhesives such as 5200, methacrylate, or
epoxy thickened into a paste.
Another important factor for long lasting
installation is sealing the edges with seam tape. The vapor barrier facing found on our materials (and most others) protects the foams from moisture, fumes,
fuel, and
oil. Wrapping the exposed edges from front to back before
installation extends this protection and provides an greatly improved seal.
Butt seams should also be taped.
sam