Jacketing is the outer skin of the insulation system, and it does more than look tidy. It sheds water, takes the abuse, and protects the insulation underneath so the whole system lasts. Most of the choices are on the spec, but knowing what each call-out means makes the takeoff faster and keeps you from ordering the wrong thing.
Aluminum covers most general service. Lighter, cheaper, easy to work, and it holds up outdoors, which is why most field jacketing is aluminum. Stainless is the upgrade: fire performance, corrosive environments, more mechanical strength, and some high-temperature or safety-critical lines. It costs more, so it is specified on purpose.
The two common aluminum thicknesses. The heavier 0.024 stands up to more abuse, so it goes on larger equipment, low piping that gets walked on, and high-traffic areas. The lighter 0.016 is fine for smaller piping and protected spots. When the spec names a gauge, use it. When it does not, match the gauge to how rough the location is.
Stucco-embossed jacketing has a texture rolled into it that hides minor dents and scratches, adds a little stiffness, and is the common choice on most field jacketing. Smooth shows a cleaner finish and gets used where appearance matters or the spec calls for it. Both do the same protective job; the difference is mostly cosmetic and how well they hide handling marks.
The part people overlook and should not. A polysurlyn moisture barrier is a thin film, a co-extrusion of polyethylene and Surlyn around 3 mils thick, factory-laminated to the inside of the metal jacket. Its job is to keep moisture and corrosives in the insulation from reaching the metal jacket. Without it, water trapped in the insulation can drive galvanic, chemical, and crevice corrosion on the jacket from the inside. It has a very low water vapor transmission rate and virtually no pinholes, so it is a real barrier rather than a thin coating. On outdoor service and anywhere corrosion under insulation is a concern, it is standard and most specs require it. Skipping it to save a little on any line that sees weather is a false economy.
Jacketing does not go up alone. It needs banding, usually 304 stainless in half-inch width with matching seals, and fitting covers for the elbows, tees, and valves so those shapes get the same protection as the straight runs. Preformed die-shaped fitting covers speed the install and give a cleaner, more weathertight result than hand-forming flat stock around a fitting. Order the bands, seals, and fitting covers with the jacket so the crew is not waiting on a piece.
A typical line reads "0.024 stucco-embossed aluminum jacket, polysurlyn moisture barrier, 0.5 inch 304SS bands, preformed fitting covers." That gives you gauge, finish, material, moisture barrier, banding, and fittings in one line. Match each piece to stock, add the linear and fitting counts from the takeoff, and the jacket order is done.
The common gauges are 0.016 inch and 0.024 inch. Lighter 0.016 goes on smaller piping and less demanding spots; heavier 0.024 goes on larger equipment, high-abuse areas, and anywhere it takes foot traffic or impact. The spec usually names the gauge. When it does not, match it to how much abuse the location sees.
It is a thin co-extruded film of polyethylene and Surlyn laminated to the inside of the metal jacket, about 3 mils thick. It keeps moisture and corrosives in the insulation from touching the metal jacket, preventing galvanic and crevice corrosion on the jacket itself. On outdoor and CUI-prone service it is standard, and many specs require it.
Stainless goes where fire performance, higher strength, or a corrosive environment rules out aluminum, and on some high-temperature and safety-critical service. It costs more. Aluminum covers most general service; stainless is the deliberate upgrade when the environment or a fire case demands it.
Yes, in roll and cut-to-size, smooth and stucco-embossed, with polysurlyn moisture barrier, plus banding, seals, and fitting covers. Tell us the gauge, finish, and quantities and we price it from the nearest branch.
We stock the material and price it the same business day.