Patent Publication Number: US-9404261-B2

Title: Roofing systems and methods

Description:
This patent application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/908,505, filed Jun. 3, 2013 and titled “Prefabricated Roofing Panel Composite”, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/209,710, filed Aug. 15, 2011 and titled “Prefabricated Roofing Panel Composite”, (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,467), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,308, filed Feb. 10, 2010 and titled “Roofing Cover Board, Roofing Panel Composites and Method”, (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,685), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/519,042, filed Sep. 11, 2006 and titled “Roofing Cover Board, Roofing Panel Composites, and Method” (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,663), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/984,122, filed Nov. 9, 2004 and titled “Roofing Cover Board, Roofing Panel Composite, and Method” (now abandoned), the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates to low-slope roofs that are typically found on commercial and industrial buildings and in particular to prefabricated high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover boards and cover board composites and prefabricated roofing panel composites which include high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover boards and low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation boards, for use on such low-slope roofs and to a method of making the cover boards, the cover board composites, and the roofing panel composites. 
     Commercial and industrial buildings typically have roofs with low-slope roof decks. The roofing systems for these roofs with low-slope roof decks typically include one or more layers of a low-density roofing insulation, a layer of roofing cover boards that overlie the low-density roofing insulation layer(s), and a waterproofing membrane that overlies the layer of cover boards. The layer(s) of low-density insulation, such as a low-density polymer-based foam insulation, if not protected, can be partially crushed or otherwise damaged from worker traffic over the insulation, the placement of heaving objects on the insulation, the weather, and other causes commonly encountered in roofing construction. The layer of roofing cover boards that overlies the one or more layers of low-density insulation, protects the more fragile low density insulation from damage, acts as a fire barrier, provides a suitable substrate for the attachment of the overlying waterproofing membrane, and augments the insulating function of the low-density insulation. The uppermost waterproofing membrane layer overlying the cover board layer protects the underlying cover board and insulation layers from moisture and other adverse climatic conditions. Normally, these three components (the low-density insulation boards, the roofing cover boards, and the waterproofing membrane) of the roofing system are separately manufactured and separately and successively applied to the low-slope roof deck. 
     While these roofing systems function very well, there has remained a need to provide improved roofing cover boards and prefabricated cover board composites and to provide prefabricated roofing panel composites that include at least an insulation board and the improved roofing cover board, and that, preferably, include an insulation board and prefabricated the roofing cover board composite having a waterproofing membrane. With the use of such improved roofing cover boards and cover board composites and prefabricated roofing panel composites, roofing systems for low-slope roof decks can be improved and/or the time, labor, and other costs associated with the installation of roofing systems on low-slope roof decks can be reduced. The subject invention provides improved roofing cover boards, improved prefabricated roofing cover board and waterproofing membrane composites, improved prefabricated roofing panel cover board and insulation board composites, improved prefabricated roofing panel cover board, insulation board, and waterproofing membrane composites, and improved prefabricated roofing panel cover board, insulation board, baseboard, and waterproofing membrane composites. The subject invention also provides these roofing cover boards, roofing cover board composites, and roofing panel composites with reinforcing patches or strips that increase the per fastener wind uplift pull through rating for the cover boards, cover board composites, and roofing panel composites to thereby further reduce the labor and ultimately the overall installed cost of roofing systems utilizing these cover boards, cover board composites, and roofing panel composites. The subject invention also provides a method for making the improved roofing cover board and the prefabricated roofing panel composites including the improved roofing cover board that is highly productive, relatively economical, and efficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, a roofing system comprises a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards comprises a first polyisocyanurate foam having a first polyisocyanurate foam density. The roofing system further comprises a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards comprises a second polyisocyanurate foam having a second polyisocyanurate foam density, and the second polyisocyanurate foam density is greater than the first polyisocyanurate foam density. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of insulation boards has opposing top and bottom major surfaces and comprises a facer on at least one of the major surfaces of the insulation board, and each of the plurality of cover boards has opposing top and bottom major surfaces and comprises a facer on at least one of the major surfaces of the cover board. The second polyisocyanurate foam density may be selected to provide the cover boards with a compressive strength to resist deformation. The second polyisocyanurate foam density may be between 6 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The second polyisocyanurate foam density may be between 4 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cover boards has a thickness, and the thickness and the second polyisocyanurate foam density are selected to provide the cover boards with a compressive strength to resist deformation and protect low-density insulation layers overlaid by the cover board from damage. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cover boards is bonded to a respective one of the plurality of insulation boards to form a roofing panel composite. The roofing system may further comprise a waterproofing membrane adapted for overlying the layer of cover boards. 
     According to another aspect, a roofing system comprises a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of insulation boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a first polyisocyanurate foam density. The roofing system further comprises a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of cover boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a second polyisocyanurate foam density greater than the first polyisocyanurate foam density. The greater polyisocyanurate foam density provides for a compressive strength to resist deformation. The second polyisocyanurate foam density may be between 6 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The second polyisocyanurate foam density may be between 4 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The first polyisocyanurate foam density may be less than 4 lbs/ft 3 . The first polyisocyanurate foam density may be between about 1 lbs/ft 3  and about 3 lbs/ft 3 . In some embodiments, the facers comprise glass fiber. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cover boards is bonded to a respective one of the plurality of insulation boards to form a roofing panel composite. In some embodiments, the roofing system further comprises a waterproofing membrane adapted for overlying the layer of cover boards. 
     According to another aspect, a method of constructing a roof comprises receiving a plurality of insulation boards and a plurality of cover boards as recited above, and installing at least some of the insulation boards and at least some of the cover boards on the roof. 
     According to another aspect, a roofing system comprises a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards comprises a first polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam material having a first foam density. The roofing system further comprises a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation, each of the plurality of cover boards comprising a second polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam material having a second foam density. The second foam density is greater than the first foam density, and the greater foam density provides for a compressive strength to resist deformation. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of insulation boards has opposing top and bottom major surfaces and comprises a facer on at least one of the major surfaces of the insulation board, and each of the plurality of cover boards has opposing top and bottom major surfaces and comprises a facer on at least one of the major surfaces of the cover board. The second foam density may be between 6 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The second foam density may be between 4 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . In some embodiments, each of the plurality of cover boards is bonded to a respective one of the plurality of insulation boards to form a roofing panel composite. In some embodiments, the roofing system further comprises a waterproofing membrane adapted for overlying the layer of cover boards. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board of the subject invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of a cover board composite of the subject invention that includes a prefabricated high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board and a top facer. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board composite with a top facer and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board, a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board, and a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board composite with a top facer, a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board, a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic side view of a first production line that can be used with the method of the subject invention to make a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic side view of a second production line that can be used with the method of the subject invention to make a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic side view of a production line that can be used with the method of the subject invention to make a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board, a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board, and a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic side view of a third production line that can be used with the method of the subject invention to make a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention that includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board. 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary, transverse schematic, perspective view of a cover board composite of the subject invention, at a fastener location, wherein the composite includes a reinforcement for increasing the fastener wind-uplift pull through rating of the cover board composite. The Figure also shows a portion of a fastener plate that can be used with the composite. 
         FIG. 12  is a fragmentary, partially exploded, transverse schematic, perspective view of the cover board composite of  FIG. 11  at a fastener location. 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary, transverse schematic, perspective view of a prefabricated cover board/insulation board panel composite of the subject invention, at a fastener location, wherein the panel composite includes a reinforcement for increasing the fastener wind-uplift pull through rating of the panel composite. The Figure also shows a portion of a fastener plate that can be used with the panel composite. 
         FIG. 14  is a fragmentary, schematic, perspective view of a prefabricated cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite of the subject invention, at a fastener location, wherein the panel composite includes a reinforcement for increasing the fastener wind-uplift pull through rating of the panel composite. The Figure also shows a portion of a fastener plate that can be used with the composite. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic bottom view of the prefabricated cover board, cover board/insulation board panel, or cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composites of  FIGS. 11 to 14 , with the bottom facer removed, to show a reinforcement patch pattern for increasing the fastener wind-uplift pull through rating of the composites. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic bottom view of the prefabricated cover board, cover board/insulation board panel, or cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composites of  FIGS. 11 to 14 , with the bottom facer removed, to show a double-layer reinforcement patch pattern for increasing the fastener wind-uplift pull through rating of the composites. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic bottom view of the prefabricated cover board, cover board/insulation board panel, or cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composites of  FIGS. 11 to 14 , with the bottom facer removed, to show a reinforcement strip pattern for increasing the fastener wind-uplift pull through rating of the composites. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of the cover board  10  of the subject invention, which has a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  of the cover board  10  has a density of at least 4 lbs/ft 3  and preferably between 6 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  of the cover board  10  has a thickness of about 0.08 inches or greater and, preferably, a thickness between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. The density and thickness of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  of the cover board  10  are selected to provide the cover board with the compressive strength to resist deformation and protect low-density insulation layers overlaid by the cover board from damage, and to provide surface characteristics that promote the bonding of a top facer, e.g. a waterproofing membrane, to the high-density core layer of the cover board. 
     The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  has a top major surface  14  and a bottom major surface  16  that are each defined by the length and the width of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer. The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  typically has a width of about four feet or greater and a length of about four feet or greater, preferably, about eight feet or greater and could have lengths that are limited only by the ability to store, transport, and handle the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  10  prior to installation. 
     The cover board  10  may have top and/or bottom facers that are not shown in  FIG. 1 . When used, the top and/or bottom facers typically overlie the entire or substantially the entire major surface  14  and/or  16  of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  to which the facers are bonded. The top and bottom facers of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  10  may be any sheet material that provides suitable top and bottom major surfaces for the cover board, such as but not limited to paper, foil, woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. 
     The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  12  of the cover board  10  may be made of various high-density polymer or predominantly polymer materials [e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic material or a high-density material made of a blend of these materials; a high-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material or a high-density foam material made of a blend of these materials; a high-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a high-density material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s); a high-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a high-density foam material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s), a high-density material made of other thermoset matrix polymers; etc.]. However, a preferred material for the high-density core layer  12  is a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate material or foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic. Examples of various fillers that may be used in the predominantly polymer materials of the high-density core layer  12  include but are not limited to powdered, liquid, and fiber fillers. The high-density polymer and predominantly polymer materials of the core layer  12  may also include fiber reinforcements, fungi growth-inhibiting agents, and fire-retardants to reduce the cost of and/or modify the properties of the high-density core layer  12 , such as but not limited to the compressive strength, the toughness, the flexibility, the friability, and the fire resistance of the core layer. Examples of fillers that may be used in the high-density predominantly polymer material core layer  12  are fillers such as but not limited to limestone (CaCO 3 ), fiberglass, recycled polyisocyanurate dust, extenders/plasticizers, ground up foam insulation, ground up rubber, wood dust, etc. 
     The prefabricated high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board of the subject invention is relatively lightweight and easily cut. This makes the cover board easier to install and increases the productivity of workers installing the cover boards. The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board of the subject invention does not support mold growth and the cover board is not negatively impacted by the application of solvents, hot asphalt, or adhesives. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated cover board and facer composite  20  of the subject invention. The composite  20  includes the cover board  10  and a facer  22 , e.g. a waterproofing membrane. Other than the inclusion of a top facer  22 , the prefabricated cover board and facer composite  20  is the same as the cover board  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The top facer  22  of the composite  20  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the cover board and facer composite, such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. A preferred sheet material for the top facer  22  is a nonwoven fiberglass mat that is heavily coated with a mineral coating such as but not limited to a calcium carbonate/clay/SBR latex coating. Where the composite  20  is fully adhered to an underlying roofing layer (e.g. an insulation layer) rather than being secured by mechanical fasteners, a sheet material may be used for the top facer  22  that serves the dual function of providing a facing during the manufacturing process and a waterproofing membrane on the finished product such as but not limited to a bituminous or modified bituminous membrane, or a single ply membrane (e.g. a EPDM, PVC, or TPO membrane). Where the top facer  22  is a waterproofing membrane, the facer may extend beyond the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  10  on one or more of the four sides of the core layer (e.g. beyond a side edge and an end edge of the top major surface of the core layer) to form membrane overlaps for sealing to the membranes of other composites  20 . While not shown, the composite may also include a bottom facer that is bonded to the bottom major surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board. When used, the bottom facer of the composite  20  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the cover board and facer composite for bonding to an underlying layer of the roofing system, such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a first prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  of the subject invention. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  includes a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  and an insulation board  34  that, as shown, are bonded directly together. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  has a top major surface  36  and a bottom major surface  38  that are each defined by the length and the width of the roofing panel composite. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  typically has a width of about four feet or greater and a length of about four feet or greater, preferably, about eight feet or greater and could have lengths that are limited only by the ability to store, transport and handle the roofing panel composites prior to installation. 
     In the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30 , the cover board  32  has a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  of the cover board  32  in the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  has a density of at least 4 lbs/ft 3  and preferably, between 6 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  of the cover board  32  in the prefabricated roofing panel composite has a thickness of about 0.08 inches or greater and, preferably, a thickness between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. The density and thickness of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  of the cover board  32  are selected to provide the cover board with the compressive strength to resist deformation and protect the low-density insulation board  34  that is overlaid by the cover board from damage, and to provide surface characteristics that promote the bonding of a top facer, e.g. a waterproofing membrane, to the high-density core layer  40  of the cover board. 
     The insulation board  34  in the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  includes a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42 . The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  of the insulation board  34  has a density less than 6 lbs/ft 3 , preferably less than 4 lbs/ft 3 , and typically a density of less than 2.5 lbs/ft 3 . The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  has a thickness of about 0.50 inches or greater and, preferably, a thickness between about 0.50 inches and about 6 inches. The density and thickness of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  of the insulation board  34  are selected to provide the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  with the desired insulating properties for the roofing system application. 
     The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  of the cover board  32  may be made of various high-density polymer or predominantly polymer materials [e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic material or a high-density material made of a blend of these materials; a high-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material or a high-density foam material made of a blend of these materials; a high-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a high-density material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic fillers); a high-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a high-density foam material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s), a high-density material made of other thermoset matrix polymers; etc.]. However, a preferred material for the high-density core layer  40  is a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate material or foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or filler(s) such as but not limited to those listed above in connection with the cover board  10 . 
     The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  of the insulation board  34  may be made of various low-density polymer or predominantly polymer foam materials [e.g. a low-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material or a low-density foam material made of a blend of these materials; a low-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a low-density foam material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or filler(s), a low-density foam material made of other thermoset matrix polymers; etc.]. However, a preferred material for the low-density core layer  42  is a low-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam material up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s). 
     When the high-density core layer  40  is made of a predominantly polymer material, the high-density predominantly polymer material of the core layer  40  may contain various powdered, liquid, and fiber fillers, fiber reinforcements, fire-retardants, fungi growth-inhibiting agents, etc. to reduce the cost and/or modify the properties of the high-density core layer  40  (such as but not limited to the compressive strength, the flexibility, the friability, the fire resistance of the core layer). When the low-density core layer  42  is made of a predominantly polymer material foam, the low-density predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  may contain various powdered, liquid, and fiber fillers, fiber reinforcements, fire-retardants, fungi growth-inhibiting agents, etc. to reduce the cost and/or modify the properties of the low-density predominantly polymer material foam core layer. Examples of fillers that may be used in the high-density core layer  40  of the cover board  32  and the low-density core layer  42  of the insulation board  34  are fillers such as but not limited to limestone (CaCO 3 ), fiberglass, recycled polyisocyanurate dust, extenders/plasticizers, ground up foam insulation, ground up rubber, wood dust, etc. 
     While, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  has no facers, the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  could have a common facer intermediate and bonded to both the bottom major surface of the cover board core layer  40  and the top major surface of the insulation board core layer  42 , a top facer bonded to the top major surface of the cover board core layer  40 , and/or a bottom facer bonded to the bottom major surface of the insulation board core layer  42 . When used, the common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  may be any sheet material with good bonding surfaces that facilitates a good bond between the cover board  32  and insulation board  34 , such as but not limited to woven or nonwoven mats made of glass fibers, other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. When used, the top facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  overlies the entire or substantially the entire top major surface of the high-density core layer  40  of the cover board  32 . The top facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. When used, the bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  overlies the entire or substantially the entire bottom surface of the low-density foam core layer  42  of the insulation board  34 . The bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the roofing panel composite  30 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  of the subject invention. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  includes the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  and the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  34  that, as shown in  FIG. 4 , are bonded directly together, and a top facer  52 . Other than the inclusion of the top facer  52 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  is the same as the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The top facer  52  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  is bonded to and overlies the entire or substantially the entire top surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  32 . The top facer  52  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the cover board of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. A preferred sheet material for the top facer  52  is a nonwoven fiberglass mat that is heavily coated with a mineral coating such as but not limited to a calcium carbonate/clay/SBR latex coating. Where the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  is fully adhered to an underlying roofing layer (e.g. an insulation layer) rather than being secured by mechanical fasteners, a sheet material may be used for the top facer  52  that serves the dual function of providing a facing during the manufacturing process and a waterproofing membrane on the finished product such as but not limited to a bituminous or modified bituminous membrane, or a single ply membrane (e.g. a EPDM, PVC, or TPO membrane). Where the top facer  52  is a waterproofing membrane, the facer may extend beyond the high-density core layer of the cover board  32  on one or more of the four sides of the core layer, e.g. beyond a side edge and an end edge of the top major surface of the core layer to provide overlaps for sealing with the membranes of adjacent panels. 
     While, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  only has a top facer  52 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  could have a common facer intermediate and bonded to both the bottom major surface of the cover board  32  core layer  40  and the top major surface of the insulation board  34  core layer  42 , and/or a bottom facer bonded to the bottom major surface of the insulation board  34  core layer  42 . When used, the common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  may be any sheet material with good bonding surfaces that facilitates a good bond between the cover board  32  and insulation board  34 , such as but not limited to woven or nonwoven mats made of glass fibers, other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. When used, the bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  overlies the entire or substantially the entire bottom surface of the low-density foam core layer of the insulation board  34 . The bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the roofing panel composite  50 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  of the subject invention that includes: a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62 , a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  64 , and a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard  66 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62  and baseboard  66  may have the same density or different densities. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cover board  62 , the insulation board  64 , and the baseboard  66  are bonded directly together. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  has a top major surface  68  and a bottom major surface  70  that are each defined by the length and the width of the prefabricated roofing panel composite. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  typically has a width of about four feet or greater and a length of about four feet or greater, preferably, about eight feet or greater and could have lengths that are limited only by the ability to store, transport and handle the roofing panel composites prior to installation. 
     In the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60 , the cover board  62  has a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  72  and the baseboard  66  has a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  74 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layers  72  and  74  each have a density of at least 4 lbs/ft 3  and preferably, between 6 lbs/ft 3  and 25 lbs/ft 3 . The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  72  of the cover board  62  and the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  74  of the baseboard  66  each have a thickness of about 0.08 inches or greater and, preferably, a thickness between about 0.25 inches and about 0.75 inches. The density and thickness of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  72  of the cover board  62  are selected to provide the cover board with the compressive strength to resist deformation and protect the low-density insulation board  64  that is overlaid by the cover board from damage, and to provide surface characteristics that promote the bonding of a top facer, e.g. a waterproofing membrane, to the core layer  72  of the cover board. 
     The insulation board  64  in the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  includes a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer foam core layer  76 . The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64  has a density less than 6 lbs/ft 3 , preferably less than 4 lbs/ft 3 , and typically a density of less than about 2.5 lbs/ft 3 . The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  has a thickness of about 0.50 inches or greater and, preferably, a thickness between about 0.50 inches and about 6 inches. The density and thickness of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64  are selected to provide the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  with the desired insulating properties for the roofing system application. 
     The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layers  72  and  74  of the cover board  62  and the baseboard  66  may be made of various high-density polymer or predominantly polymer materials [e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic material or a high-density material made of a blend of these materials; a high-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material or a high-density foam material made of a blend of these materials; a high-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a high-density material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s); a high-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a high-density foam material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s), a high-density material made of other thermoset matrix polymers; etc.]. However, a preferred material for the high-density core layers  72  and  74  is a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate material or foam material up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s). 
     The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64  may be made of various low-density polymer or predominantly polymer foam materials [e.g. a low-density polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material or a low-density foam material made of a blend of these materials; a low-density predominantly polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, polystyrene, or phenolic foam material with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s) or a low-density foam material made of a blend of these materials with up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s), a low-density material made of other thermoset matrix polymers; etc.]. However, a preferred material for the low-density core layer  76  is a low-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam material up to 40% by weight, but typically between about 1% and about 25% by weight organic and/or inorganic filler(s). 
     When the high-density core layers  72  and  74  are made of a predominantly polymer material, the high-density predominantly polymer material of the core layers  72  and  74  may contain various powdered, liquid, and fiber fillers, fiber reinforcements, fire-retardants, fungi growth-inhibiting agents, etc. to reduce the cost and/or modify the properties of the high-density core layers  72  and  74  (such as but not limited to the compressive strength, the flexibility, the friability, the fire resistance of the core layer). When the low-density core layer  76  is made of a predominantly polymer material foam, the low-density predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  may contain various powdered, liquid and fiber fillers, fiber reinforcements, fire-retardants, fungi growth-inhibiting agents, etc. to reduce the cost and/or modify the properties of the low-density foam core layer. Examples of fillers that may be used in the high-density core layers  72  of the cover board  62  and the baseboard  66  and the low-density core layer  76  of the insulation board  64  are fillers such as but not limited to limestone (CaCO 3 ), fiberglass, recycled polyisocyanurate dust, extenders/plasticizers, ground up foam insulation, ground up rubber, wood dust, etc. 
     While, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  has no facers, the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  could have a common facer intermediate and bonded to both the bottom major surface of the cover board core layer  72  and the top major surface of the insulation board core layer  76 , a common facer intermediate and bonded to both the bottom major surface of the insulation board core layer  76  and the top major surface of the baseboard core layer  74 , a top facer bonded to the top major surface of the cover board core layer  72 , and/or a bottom facer bonded to the bottom major surface of the baseboard core layer  74 . When used, the common facers of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  may be any sheet material with good bonding surfaces that facilitates a good bond between the cover board  62 , the insulation board  64 , and the baseboard  66 , such as but not limited to woven or nonwoven mats made of glass fibers, other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. When used, the top facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  overlies the entire or substantially the entire top major surface of the high-density core layer  72  of the cover board  62 . The top facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. When used, the bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  overlies the entire or substantially the entire bottom surface of the high-density core layer  74  of the baseboard  66 . The bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the roofing panel composite  60 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of a prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  of the subject invention. The prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  includes the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62 , the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  64 , and the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard  66 , that, as shown in  FIG. 6 , are bonded directly together, and a top facer  82 . Other than the inclusion of a top facer  82 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  of  FIG. 6  is the same as the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  of  FIG. 5 . 
     The top facer  82  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  is bonded to and overlies the entire or substantially the entire top surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  62 . The top facer  82  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the cover board and facer composite, such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. A preferred sheet material for the top facer  82  is a nonwoven fiberglass mat that is heavily coated with a mineral coating such as but not limited to a calcium carbonate/clay/SBR latex coating. Where the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  is fully adhered to an underlying roofing layer (e.g. an insulation layer) rather than being secured by mechanical fasteners, a sheet material may be used for the top facer  82  that serves the dual function of providing a facing during the manufacturing process and a waterproofing membrane on the finished product such as but not limited to a bituminous or modified bituminous membrane, or a single ply membrane (e.g. a EPDM, PVC, or TPO membrane). Where the top facer  82  is a waterproofing membrane, the facer may extend beyond the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  62  on one or more of the four sides of the core layer, e.g. beyond a side edge and an end edge of the top major surface of the core layer to provide membrane overlaps for sealing with the membranes of adjacent panels. 
     While, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  only has a top facer  82 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  could have a common facer intermediate and bonded to both the bottom major surface of the cover board core layer and the top major surface of the insulation board core layer, a common facer intermediate and bonded to both the bottom major surface of the insulation board core layer and the top major surface of the baseboard core layer, and/or a bottom facer bonded to the bottom major surface of the baseboard core layer. When used, the common facers of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  may be any sheet material with good bonding surfaces that facilitates a good bond between the cover board and insulation board and the insulation board and the baseboard, such as but not limited to woven or nonwoven mats made of glass fibers, other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. When used, the bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  overlies the entire or substantially the entire bottom surface of the high-density core layer of the baseboard  66 . The bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic side view of a first production line  100  that can be used with the method of the subject invention to continuously make prefabricated roofing panel composites of the subject invention in line, such as the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  of  FIG. 3 and 50  of  FIG. 4 . The prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  each include a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  34 . The production line  100  includes: a first forming station  102  for forming the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  34  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 ; a second forming station  104  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 ; and a cutting station  106  for cutting the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  to length. 
     The first forming station  102  for forming the low-density foam insulation board  34  includes a conventional dispenser  108  for dispensing a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  110  (e.g. a low-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam precursor) onto a facer, when used, overlying a conveyor  112  of two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  112  and  114  or directly onto the conveyor  112 . As the foam precursor  110  passes between the forming conveyors  112  and  114 , foams and at least partially sets, the forming conveyors  112  and  114  cooperate to set the thickness of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer foam insulation board  34  formed from the precursor  110 . The first forming station  102  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of facer materials  116  and  118  that can be fed over and/or beneath the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  110  to form a common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  and a bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 . 
     The second forming station  104  of the production line  100  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  includes a conventional dispenser  120  for dispensing a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material or foam precursor  122  (e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam precursor) onto the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  or, when used, a common facer overlying the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42 . With the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  122  overlying the low-density foam core layer  42  or, when used, the common facer, the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  122  and the low-density foam core layer  42  pass between two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  112  and  124  where the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  38  is formed and bonded directly to the low-density foam core layer  42  or to the common facer overlying the low-density foam core layer  42 . The spaced-apart opposed forming conveyors  112  and  124  cooperate to set the thickness of both the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  and the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 . The second forming station  104  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of a facer material  126  that is fed over the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  122  to form the top facer  52  of both the high-density cover board  32  and the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50 . 
     With the high-density core layer  40  and the low-density foam core layer  42  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  bonded together in the second forming station  104  to form a continuous length of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  is then cut to length to complete the formation of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 . In the cutting station  106  a cutter, such as but not limited to a reciprocating cutter  128 , cuts the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  coming from the second forming station  104  to length. 
     While the production line  100 , as shown, is capable of applying three facer materials  116 ,  118 , and  126  to the insulation board  34  and the cover board  32  to form the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 . The application of any one, any two, or all of the facing materials  116 ,  118  and  126  to the insulation board and cover board can be omitted to form the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  and all but the top facing material can be omitted to form the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  with the desired number of facers. The facers  116 ,  118  and  126  normally prevent the polymer or predominantly polymer layers from sticking to the conveyors. However, with a shift in the chemistry of the precursors  110  and  122  to affect the tackiness of the layers produced so that they do not stick to the surfaces of the conveyors or by applying release films or coatings to the surfaces of the conveyers that will not allow the layers produced to stick to the surfaces of the conveyors, when desired, any one or all of the facing materials are not needed for and could be eliminated from the manufacturing process. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic side view of a second production line  200  that can be used with the method of the subject invention to continuously make prefabricated roofing panel composites of the subject invention, such as the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  of  FIG. 3 and 50  of  FIG. 4 . The prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  each include a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board. The production line  200  includes: an in-feed conveyor  202  for continuously feeding a series of low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation boards  34  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite into a forming station  204 ; the forming station  204  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 ; and a cutting station  206  for cutting the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  to length. 
     The low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation boards  34  may include a top facer that, when used, forms a common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  and may include a bottom facer that, when used, forms a bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites. Preferably, the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation boards  34  are fed into the forming station  204  lengthwise with the ends of successive insulation boards  34  in the continuous series of insulation boards abutting each other. 
     The forming station  204  of the production line  200  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  includes a conventional dispenser  208  for dispensing the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  210  (e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate precursor) directly onto the low-density foam core layers  42  of the insulation boards  34  or, when used the common facers overlying the low-density foam core layers of the low-density foam insulation boards. With the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  210  directly overlying the low-density foam core layers  42  of the insulation boards or the common facers  36  carried by the low-density foam insulation boards  34 , the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  210  and the low-density foam insulation boards  34  pass between two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  212  and  214  where the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layers  38  of the cover boards  32  are formed and bonded directly to the low-density foam core layers  42  of the insulation boards  34  or to the common facers overlying the low-density foam insulation board  34 . The spaced-apart opposed forming conveyors  212  and  214  cooperate to set the thickness of both the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  and the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 . The forming station  204  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of a facer material  216  that is fed over the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  210  to form the top facer  52  of both the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  and the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50 . 
     With the high-density core layer  40  and the low-density foam core layer  42  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  bonded together in the forming station  204  to form a continuous length of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  is then cut to length to complete the formation of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 . In the cutting station  206  a cutter, such as but not limited to a reciprocating cutter  218 , cuts the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  coming from the forming station  204  to length. 
     The production line  200 , as shown, is capable of making the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  by feeding preformed low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation boards  34  into the forming station  204  and omitting the application of the facer material  216  to the cover board  32  and is capable of making the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  by feeding preformed low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation boards  34  into the forming station  204  and applying of the facer material  216  to the cover board  32 . The facer  216  normally prevents the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material layer from sticking to the conveyor  212 . However, with a shift in the chemistry of the precursor  210  to affect the tackiness of the layer produced so that the layer does not stick to the surface of the conveyor  212  or by applying a release film or coating to the surface of the conveyer  212  that will not allow the layer produced to stick to the surface of the conveyor, when desired, the facing materials  216  is not needed for and could be eliminated from the manufacturing process. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic side view of a production line  300  that can be used with the method of the subject invention to continuously make a prefabricated roofing panel composite of the subject invention, such as the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  of  FIG. 5 and 80  of  FIG. 6 . These prefabricated roofing panel composites each include: a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62 , a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  64 , and a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard  66 . The production line  300  includes: a first forming station  302  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard  66  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80 ; a second forming station  304  for forming the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  64  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80 ; a third forming station  306  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80 ; and a cutting station  308  for cutting the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80  to length. 
     The first forming station  302  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard  56  includes a conventional dispenser  310  for dispensing a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  312  (e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate precursor) onto a facer, when used, overlying a conveyor  314  of two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  314  and  316  or directly onto the conveyor  314 . As the precursor  310  passes between the forming conveyors  314  and  316 , forms and at least partially sets, the forming conveyors  314  and  316  cooperate to set the thickness of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  74  of the high-density baseboard  66  formed from the precursor  310 . The first forming station  302  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of facer materials  318  and  320  that may be fed over and/or beneath the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  310  to form, when used, a common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80  and a bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80 . 
     The second forming station  304  of the production line  300  for forming the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  64  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80  includes a conventional dispenser  322  for dispensing a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  324  (e.g. a low-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam precursor) directly onto the high-density core layer  74  or, when used, onto a common facer overlying the high-density core layer  74  of the baseboard  66 . With the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  324  directly overlying high-density core layer  74  or the common facer overlying the high-density core layer  74  of the baseboard  66 , the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  324  and the high-density core layer  74  pass between two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  314  and  326  where the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64  is formed and bonded to the high-density core layer  74  or the common facer overlying the high-density core layer  74  of the baseboard  66 . The spaced-apart opposed forming conveyors  314  and  326  cooperate to set the thickness of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64 . The second forming station  304  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of a facer material  328  that can be fed over the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  324  to form a common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80 . 
     The third forming station  306  of the production line  300  for forming the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80  includes a conventional dispenser  330  for dispensing a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  332  (e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate precursor) directly onto the low-density foam core layer  76  or the common facer overlying the low-density foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64 . With the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  332  overlying the low-density foam core layer  76  or the common facer overlying the low-density foam core layer  76 , the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  332 , the low-density foam insulation board  64 , and the high-density baseboard  66  pass between two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  314  and  334  where the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  72  of the cover board  62  is formed and bonded to the low-density foam core layer  76  or the common facer overlying the low-density foam core layer  76  of the insulation board  64 . The spaced-apart opposed forming conveyors  314  and  334  cooperate to set the thickness of both the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  72  and the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  or  80 . The third forming station  306  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of a facer material  336  that is fed over the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  332  to form the top facer  82  of both the high-density cover board  62  and the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80 . 
     With the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  62 , the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  64 , and the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material baseboard  66  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  or  80  bonded together in the third forming station  306  to form a continuous length of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  or  80 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  or  80  is then cut to length to complete the formation of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  or  80 . In the cutting station  308  a cutter, such as but not limited to a reciprocating cutter  338 , cuts the continuous prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  or  80  coming from the third forming station  306  to length. 
     While the production line  300 , as shown, is capable of applying four facer materials  318 ,  320 ,  328 , and  336  to the baseboard  66 , the insulation board  64  and the cover board  62  to form the prefabricated roofing panel composites  60  and  80 . The application of any one, any two, any three or all of the facing materials  318 ,  320 ,  328 , and  336  to the baseboard, the insulation board and the cover board can be omitted to form the prefabricated roofing panel composite  60  and all but the top facing material can be omitted to form the prefabricated roofing panel composite  80  with the desired number of facers. The facers  318 ,  320 ,  328 , and  336  normally prevent the composite layers from sticking to the conveyors. However, with a shift in the chemistry of the precursors  312 , 324 , and  332  to affect the tackiness of the layers produced so that they do not stick to the surfaces of the conveyors or by applying release films or coatings to the surfaces of the conveyers that will not allow the layers produced to stick to the surfaces of the conveyors, when desired, any one or all of the facing materials are not needed for and could be eliminated from the manufacturing process. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic side view of another production line  400  that can be used with the method of the subject invention to continuously make prefabricated roofing panel composites of the subject invention in line, such as the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  of  FIG. 3 and 50  of  FIG. 4 . The prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  each include a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  and a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  34 . The production line  400  includes: a forming station  402  for forming the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam insulation board  34  and the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material cover board  32  of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 ; and a cutting station  404  for cutting the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  to length. 
     The forming station  402  for forming the low-density foam insulation board  34  and the high-density cover board includes a conventional dispenser  406  for dispensing a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  408  (e.g. a low-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate foam precursor) onto a facer, when used, overlying a conveyor  410  of two spaced-apart opposed forming conveyers  410  and  412  or directly onto the conveyor  410 . The forming station  402  also includes a conventional dispenser  414  for dispensing a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  416  (e.g. a high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate material precursor) onto the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor of the core layer  42  or, when used, a common facer overlying the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor of the core layer  42 . As the layers of precursor  408  and  416  pass between the forming conveyors  410  and  412 , the precursors form and at least partially set, the forming conveyors  410  and  412  cooperate to set the thickness of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer  42  of insulation board  34  formed from the precursor  408 , the thickness of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer  40  of cover board  32  formed from the precursor  416 , and the thickness of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 . The forming station  402  also includes supplies (e.g. rolls) of facer materials  418 ,  420 , and  422  that can be fed over and/or beneath the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor  408  to form a common facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  and a bottom facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50  and that can be fed over the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursor  416  to form a top facer of the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 . 
     With the high-density core layer  40  and the low-density foam core layer  42  of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  bonded together to form a continuous length of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 , the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  is then cut to length to complete the formation of the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50 . In the cutting station  404  a cutter, such as but not limited to a reciprocating cutter  424 , cuts the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  or  50  coming from the forming station  402  to length. 
     While the production line  400 , as shown, is capable of applying three facer materials  418 ,  420  and  422  to the insulation board  34  and the cover board  32  to form the prefabricated roofing panel composites  30  and  50 . The application of any one, any two, or all of the facing materials  418 ,  420 , and  422  to the insulation board and cover board can be omitted to form the prefabricated roofing panel composite  30  and all but the top facing material can be omitted to form the prefabricated roofing panel composite  50  with the desired number of facers. The facers  418 ,  420 , and  422  normally prevent the layers of the composite from sticking to the conveyors. However, with a shift in the chemistry of the precursors  408  and  416  to affect the tackiness of the layers produced so that they do not stick to the surfaces of the conveyors or by applying release films or coatings to the surfaces of the conveyers that will not allow the layers produced to stick to the surfaces of the conveyors, when desired, any one or all of the facing materials are not needed for and could be eliminated from the manufacturing process. 
     Preferably, the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursors  110 ,  324 , and  408  are low-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polymer foam precursors. Preferably, the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursors  122 ,  210 ,  312 ,  332 , and  416  are high-density polyisocyanurate or predominantly polyisocyanurate material precursors. The high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material precursors  122 ,  210 ,  312 ,  332 , and  416  can be formulated to produce high-density materials or foams by significantly reducing or eliminating the blowing agent(s) from the precursors  122 ,  210 ,  312 ,  332 , and  416 . Pentane (HFC), micro-spheres, CO 2  and water (as well as other materials) will act as blowing agents for the precursors. The relatively high-density layers produced using these types of precursors have improved strength characteristics over the low-density foams normally produced for insulation products. As the amount of blowing agent is reduced in the precursors  122 ,  210 ,  312 ,  332 , and  416 , the density and the compressive strength of the high-density layers produced increase. These types of high-density core layers are much more resistant to deformation than the typical low-density foam core layers. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are fragmentary, transverse schematic, perspective views of a prefabricated cover board composite  520  of the subject invention. The composite  520  includes the cover board  10  of  FIG. 1 , a top facer  522  (e.g. a waterproofing membrane), a bottom facer  524 , and a plurality of wind-uplift reinforcement patches  526  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or strips  528  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ). Conventional fastener plates, such as but not limited to the disc shaped metallic fastener plate  530 , are typically used at each fastener penetration of the prefabricated cover board composite  520  to spread the forces exerted on the top major surface of the composite by the nails or other mechanical fasteners securing the composite to a roof deck over a greater surface area and thereby reduce the pressures exerted by the fasteners (not shown) on the top major surface of the composite. Other than the inclusion of a top facer  522 , a bottom facer  524 , and a plurality of wind-uplift reinforcements, such as the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  526  or strips  528  the prefabricated cover board composite  520  is the same as the cover board  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The top facer  522  that is bonded to the top major surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board composite  520  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the cover board composite, such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. A preferred sheet material for the top facer  522  is a nonwoven fiberglass mat that is heavily coated with a mineral coating such as but not limited to a calcium carbonate/clay/SBR latex coating. Where the cover board composite  520  is fully adhered to an underlying roofing layer (e.g. an insulation layer) rather than being secured by mechanical fasteners, a sheet material may be used for the top facer  522  that serves the dual function of providing a facing during the manufacturing process and a waterproofing membrane on the finished product such as but not limited to a bituminous or modified bituminous membrane, or a single ply membrane (e.g. a EPDM, PVC, or TPO membrane). Where the top facer  522  is a waterproofing membrane, the facer may extend beyond the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  10  on one or more of the four sides of the core layer (e.g. beyond a side edge and an end edge of the top major surface of the core layer) to form membrane overlaps for sealing to the membranes of other composites  520 . The bottom facer  524  is bonded to and typically coextensive with the bottom major surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board composite  520 . The bottom facer  524  of the composite  520  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the cover board composite  520 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. However, a preferred bottom facer  524 , is a coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven fiberglass mat such as but not limited to the preferred top facer  522 . 
     The wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  526  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  528  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ), may be made of various reinforcement sheet or mat materials, such as but not limited to sheets or mats of glass, polyester, polypropylene, metal, wool, and other synthetic and natural fibers and combinations of such fibers. However, a preferred reinforcement material for the wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches and strips is a scrim such as fiberglass scrim with a minimum tensile strength of 30 lbs per linear inch and preferably, a minimum tensile strength of at least 100 lbs per linear inch, e.g. a fiberglass scrim that is 10 grams/ft 2  with 8×8 strands per inch wherein the mean diameter of the strands is 0.019 inches. 
     When a cover board composite is subjected to wind-uplift forces from high winds during service, the wind-uplift forces exerted on a cover board composite, if not controlled, will tend to place the top portion of the composite in compression and the bottom portion of the composite in tension at the fastener locations to thereby place the composite under stress at these locations. Repeated cycles of stress exerted on a cover board composite at the fastener locations during service can result in a failure of the composite at one or more of the fastener locations. The wind-uplift reinforcements of the subject invention, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  526  or reinforcement strips  528 , greatly increase the pressures that the cover board composite can withstand before failure at a fastener location. While the cover board composite still flexes, the wind-uplift reinforcements of the subject invention extend or increase the load the bottom facer can withstand before the bottom facer  524  fails at a fastener location. The wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  526  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  528  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ) are interposed between the bottom facer  524  and the bottom major surface of the core layer to coincide with a selected fastener pattern or selected fastener patterns for securing the cover board composite  520  to a roof deck and increase a per-fastener wind-uplift pull through rating for the cover board composite. 
       FIG. 13  is a fragmentary, transverse schematic, perspective view of a prefabricated cover board/insulation board panel composite  540  of the subject invention. The panel composite  540  includes the cover board/insulation board panel composite  30  of  FIG. 3 , which includes a cover board  32  with a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer and an insulation board  34  with a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer; a top facer  542  (e.g. a waterproofing membrane); a bottom facer  544 ; and a plurality of wind-uplift reinforcement patches  546  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or strips  548  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ). Fastener plates, such as but not limited to the fastener plate  550 , are typically used at each fastener penetration of the prefabricated cover board/insulation board panel composite  540  to spread the forces exerted on the top major surface of the panel composite by the fasteners securing the composite to a roof deck over a greater surface area and thereby reduce the pressures exerted by the fasteners (not shown) on the top major surface of the panel composite. Other than the inclusion of a top facer  542 , a bottom facer  544 , and a plurality of wind-uplift reinforcements, such as the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  546  or strips  548  the prefabricated cover board/insulation board panel composite  540  is the same as the cover board/insulation board panel composite  30  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The top facer  542  that is bonded to the top major surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  32  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. A preferred sheet material for the top facer  542  is a nonwoven fiberglass mat that is heavily coated with a mineral coating such as but not limited to a calcium carbonate/clay/SBR latex coating. The bottom facer  544  is bonded to and typically coextensive with the bottom major surface of the low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the insulation board  34 . The bottom facer  544  of the composite  540  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the cover board/insulation board composite  540 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. However, a preferred bottom facer  544 , is a coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven fiberglass mat such as but not limited to the preferred the top facer  542 . 
     The wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  546  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  548  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ), may be made of various reinforcement sheet or mat materials, such as but not limited to sheets or mats of glass, polyester, polypropylene, metal, wool, and other synthetic and natural fibers and combinations of such fibers. However, a preferred reinforcement material for the wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches and strips is a scrim such as fiberglass scrim with a minimum tensile strength of 30 lbs per linear inch and preferably, a minimum tensile strength of at least 100 lbs per linear inch, e.g. a fiberglass scrim that is 10 grams/ft 2  with 8×8 strands per inch wherein the mean diameter of the strands is 0.019 inches. The wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  546  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  548  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ) are interposed between the bottom facer  544  and the bottom major surface of the insulation board core layer to coincide with a selected fastener pattern or selected fastener patterns for securing the cover board, insulation board panel composite  540  to a roof deck and increase a per-fastener wind-uplift pull through rating for the cover board/insulation board panel composite. The wind-uplift reinforcements of the cover board/insulation board panel composite  540  perform the same or substantially the same function as the wind-uplift reinforcements of the cover board composite  520 . 
       FIG. 14  is a fragmentary, transverse schematic, perspective view of a prefabricated cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  of the subject invention. The panel composite  560  includes the roofing panel composite  60  of  FIG. 5 , which includes a cover board  62  with a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer, an insulation board  64  with a low-density polymer or predominantly polymer material foam core layer; a baseboard  66  with a high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer; a top facer  562  (e.g. a waterproofing membrane), a bottom facer  564 , and a plurality of wind-uplift reinforcement patches  566  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or strips  568  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ). Fastener plates, such as but not limited to the fastener plate  570 , are typically used at each fastener penetration of the prefabricated cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  to spread the forces exerted on the top major surface of the composite by the fasteners securing the composite to a roof deck over a greater surface area and thereby reduce the pressures exerted by the fasteners (not shown) on the top major surface of the panel composite. Other than the inclusion of a top facer  562 , a bottom facer  564 , and a plurality of wind-uplift reinforcements, such as the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  566  or strips  568  the prefabricated cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  is the same as the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  60  of  FIG. 5 . 
     The top facer  562  that is bonded to the top major surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the cover board  62  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable top major surface for the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite, such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, foil, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. A preferred sheet material for the top facer  522  is a nonwoven fiberglass mat that is heavily coated with a mineral coating such as but not limited to a calcium carbonate/clay/SBR latex coating. The bottom facer  564  is bonded to and typically coextensive with the bottom major surface of the high-density polymer or predominantly polymer material core layer of the baseboard  66 . The bottom facer  564  of the composite  560  may be any sheet material that provides a suitable bottom major surface for the cover board/insulation board/baseboard composite  560 , such as but not limited to coated or uncoated paper, coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven mats made of fiberglass or other fibers or filaments, scrims, etc. However, a preferred bottom facer  564 , is a coated or uncoated woven or nonwoven fiberglass mat such as but not limited to the preferred top facer  562 . 
     The wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  566  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  568  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ), may be made of various reinforcement sheet or mat materials, such as but not limited to sheets or mats of glass, polyester, polypropylene, metal, wool, and other synthetic and natural fibers and combinations of such fibers. However, a preferred reinforcement material for the wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches and strips is a scrim such as fiberglass scrim with a minimum tensile strength of 30 lbs per linear inch and preferably, a minimum tensile strength of at least 100 lbs per linear inch, e.g. a fiberglass scrim that is 10 grams/ft 2  with 8×8 strands per inch wherein the mean diameter of the strands is 0.019 inches. The wind-uplift reinforcements, e.g. the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  566  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) or the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  568  (such as but not limited to the wind-uplift reinforcement strips shown in  FIG. 17 ) are interposed between the bottom facer  564  and the bottom major surface of the baseboard core layer to coincide with a selected fastener pattern or selected fastener patterns for securing the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  to a roof deck and increase a per-fastener wind-uplift pull through rating for the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite. The wind-uplift reinforcements of the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  perform the same or substantially the same function as the wind-uplift reinforcements of the cover board composite  520 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show an eight-fastener wind-uplift reinforcement patch placement pattern, utilizing a single patch and a double patch arrangement, for securing the cover board composite  520 , the cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , and the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  to a roofing deck. The eight-fastener wind-uplift reinforcement patch placement pattern shown is exemplary and it is to be understood that the wind-uplift reinforcement patch placement patterns for the cover board composite  520 , the cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , and the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  can be selected to accommodate any desired fastener placement pattern including any one or more of the fastener placement patterns commonly utilized in the roofing industry. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , single wind-uplift reinforcement patches  526 ,  546 , and  566  are utilized. In the embodiment of  FIG. 16 , double wind-uplift patches  528 ,  548 , and  568  are utilized with the overlying wind-uplift reinforcement patches having a 45° offset relative to the wind-uplift reinforcement patches overlaid. Preferably, the wind-uplift reinforcement patches  528 ,  548 , and  568  are at least three inches by three inches and centered over each of the fastener placement locations. Examples of preferred wind-uplift reinforcement patches are: generally square patches that have dimensions between about three inches by about three inches and about six inches by about six inches; generally round patches that have diameters between about three inches and about six inches; and generally rectangular, oval and other shaped patches having a minor dimension between about three inches and about six inches and a major dimension between about three inches and about six inches. Preferably, the top surface of a cover board composite  520 , a cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , or a cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  utilizing the single or double wind-uplift reinforcement patches will be visibly marked to indicate the locations of the wind-uplift reinforcement patches on the underside of the composite so that a roofing installer will know exactly where to pass fasteners for securing the composite to a roof deck through the composite and the wind-uplift reinforcement patches located on the underside of the composite in the fastener placement pattern being utilized to secure the composite to a roof deck. For example, visible X and/or 0 markings could be placed on the top surface of a composite that are centered over the centers of each of the single or double wind-uplift reinforcement patches on the underside of the composite. 
       FIG. 17  shows a wind-uplift reinforcement strip placement pattern, which can be used for an eight-fastener placement or other fastener placement pattern, for securing the cover board composite  520 , the cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , and the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  to a roofing deck. The wind-uplift reinforcement strip placement pattern shown for the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  528 ,  548  and  568  is exemplary and it is to be understood that the reinforcement strip placement patterns for the cover board composite  520 , the cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , and the cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  can be selected to accommodate any desired fastener placement pattern including any one or more of the fastener placement patterns commonly utilized in the roofing industry. Preferably, the wind-uplift reinforcement strips  528 ,  548  and  568  are between about three and about six inches wide, run the length and/or width of the composite, and have their longitudinal centerlines centered over fastener placement locations. Preferably, the top surface of a cover board composite  520 , a cover board/insulation board panel composite  540 , or a cover board/insulation board/baseboard panel composite  560  utilizing the wind-uplift reinforcement strips will be visibly marked to indicate the locations of the wind-uplift reinforcement strips on the underside of the composite so that a roofing installer will know exactly where to pass fasteners for securing the composite to a roof deck through the composite and the wind-uplift reinforcement strips located on the underside of the composite in the fastener placement pattern being utilized to secure the composite to a roof deck. For example, visible solid or dashed line markings or visible solid or dashed line markings with X and 0 markings in various fastener placement patterns could be placed on the top surface of a composite with the line markings centered over and extending along the longitudinal centerlines of the wind-uplift reinforcement strips on the underside of the composite. 
     Tests were conducted to determine fastener pull through strength for a 0.25 inch thick polyisocyanurate cover board: a) with only a coated nonwoven glass fiber bottom facer bonded to and substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board; b) with a coated nonwoven glass fiber bottom facer bonded to and substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board and a scrim reinforcement interposed between the bottom facer and the bottom major surface of the cover board and also substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board; c) with a coated nonwoven glass fiber bottom facer bonded to and substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board and six inch wide scrim reinforcement strips interposed between the bottom facer and the bottom major surface of the cover board, running the length of the cover board, and having longitudinal centerlines centered over the fastener penetration locations; d) with a coated nonwoven glass fiber bottom facer bonded to and substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board and three inch wide scrim reinforcement strips interposed between the bottom facer and the bottom major surface of the cover board, running the length of the cover board, and having longitudinal centerlines centered over the fastener penetration locations; e) with a coated nonwoven glass fiber bottom facer bonded to and substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board and six inch square scrim reinforcement patches interposed between the bottom facer and the bottom major surface of the cover board and centered over the fastener penetration locations; and f) with a coated nonwoven glass fiber bottom facer bonded to and substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board and two layers of six inch square scrim reinforcement patches interposed between the bottom facer and the bottom major surface of the cover board and centered over the fastener penetration locations. The scrim material used in the tests was a fiberglass scrim having a tensile strength of 105 lbs per linear inch. The scrim material was 10 grams/ft 2  with 8×8 strands per inch wherein the mean diameter of the strands was 0.019 inches. The measured per fastener wind-uplift pull through strengths for these composites was: 
     a) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer alone—160 lbf (pounds of force); 
     b) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and scrim reinforcement that is substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board—300 lbf; 
     c) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and six-inch wide scrim reinforcement strips—275 lbf; 
     d) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and three-inch wide scrim reinforcement strips—250 lbf; 
     e) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and six inch square scrim reinforcement patches—240 lbf; and 
     f) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and two layers of six-inch square scrim reinforcement patches—350 lbf. 
     The coverage rate of the scrim reinforcement (area of the bottom major surface of a cover board or other roofing panel composite covered by scrim reinforcement) for the scrim reinforcement embodiments set forth immediately above will vary with the fastener location pattern utilized. However, for the scrim reinforcement embodiments set forth immediately above, an eight fastener location pattern on a four by eight foot cover board or other roofing panel composite (i.e. a cover board or other roofing panel composite with a 32 ft 2  bottom major surface) results in the following coverage rates: 
     a) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer alone—0 ft 2  coverage; 
     b) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and scrim reinforcement that is substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of the cover board—32 ft 2  coverage; 
     c) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and six inch wide scrim reinforcement strips—8 ft 2  coverage; 
     d) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and three inch wide scrim reinforcement strips—4 ft 2  coverage; 
     e) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and six inch square scrim reinforcement patches—2 ft 2  coverage; and 
     f) coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and two layers of six inch square scrim reinforcement patches—2 ft 2  coverage with 4 ft 2  of scrim utilized. 
     With embodiment “f” (coated nonwoven glass fiber facer and two layers of six inch square scrim reinforcement patches—2 ft 2  coverage with 4 ft 2  of scrim utilized) a 90 pounds/ft 2  wind-uplift rating may be achieved for a cover board using only eight fasteners to secure the cover board whereas for embodiment “a” (coated nonwoven glass fiber facer alone) sixteen fasteners must be utilized to achieve a 90 pound/ft 2  wind-uplift rating for the cover board. Fasteners and their installation commonly represent approximately 40% of cover board installation costs. The scrim reinforcements of the subject invention enable a reduction in the number of fasteners required to achieve a specific wind-uplift rating for an installed cover board. Thus, for a roofing system with a specific wind-uplift rating, the scrim reinforcements of the subject invention can significantly reduce the labor and ultimately, the overall installed cost of the roofing system. Of course, an installer can retain the normal number of fasteners utilized per cover board and significantly increase the wind-uplift rating for the installed cover board. In addition, while the use of a scrim reinforcement that is substantially coextensive with the bottom major surface of a cover board or other roofing panel composite can significantly increase the per fastener wind-uplift pull through rating, the scrim reinforcement of the subject invention can substantially reduce the square footage of scrim reinforcement required to significantly increase the per fastener wind-uplift pull through rating (e.g. 32 ft 2  for full scrim reinforcement coverage vs. 8 ft 2 , 4 ft 2 , or 2 ft 2  coverage for reinforcements of the subject invention for an eight fastener location pattern on a four by eight foot cover board or other roofing panel composite). 
     In describing the invention, certain embodiments have been used to illustrate the invention and the practices thereof. However, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments as other embodiments and modifications within the spirit of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art on reading this specification. For example, the prefabricated roofing panel composites could be in an upside down orientation to that shown and described in connection with  FIGS. 7 to 9 . Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.