Application, types, price and nuances of fastening a polycarbonate roof

Many homeowners who want to improve their outdoor spaces with a resilient and adaptable roofing material often install polycarbonate roofs. Because of their strength, low weight, and capacity to transmit light, polycarbonate roofs are well-suited for uses like carports, patio covers, and greenhouse roofs.

Various polycarbonate sheet types are available, with varying benefits based on the project’s particular requirements. For instance, multiwall polycarbonate sheets have good insulating qualities and are frequently utilized in buildings where climate control is crucial. Conversely, solid polycarbonate sheets provide greater impact resistance and are appropriate for locations where hail or falling branches are a concern.

It’s crucial to account for both the intricacy of the installation procedure and the cost of materials when installing a polycarbonate roof. The kind and thickness of the polycarbonate sheets selected, along with the roof’s dimensions and design, can all affect the price. Furthermore, specific equipment and training may be needed for installation, especially for larger or more complex roof designs.

The process of attaching the polycarbonate sheets to the supporting structure is one of the most important details in polycarbonate roof installation. To guarantee the stability and longevity of the roof, proper fastening is essential. Using specific screws and washers made for polycarbonate are common techniques that help hold the sheets firmly in place while allowing for expansion and contraction brought on by temperature variations.

Application:	Polycarbonate roofs are commonly used for covering structures like greenhouses, patio covers, and carports due to their lightweight nature and durability.
Types:	There are various types of polycarbonate roofs, including solid sheets, multiwall sheets (twin-wall or multi-wall), and corrugated panels, each suited for different applications based on light transmission needs and structural requirements.
Price:	The cost of polycarbonate roofing sheets can vary widely depending on the type, thickness, and size. Generally, corrugated panels are more affordable than multiwall sheets, which are pricier due to their insulation properties.
Nuances:	When fastening polycarbonate sheets, it"s crucial to use compatible fasteners (often screws with EPDM washers) to prevent leaks and ensure structural integrity. Proper sealing and installation techniques help in maintaining longevity and weather resistance.

Polycarbonate roof installation

Made from intricate chemical polyester compounds, polycarbonate is a partially transparent cellular material that is essentially a raw material composed of flexible, long-lasting plastic. These days, roof arrangement with this material is common in suburban construction.

This raw material is used to make roofs for:

• private house;
• attics;
• terraces;
• gazebos;
• baths;
• garages.

The layout of the roof is predetermined by a plan that has been developed beforehand. Sealant, protective tapes, and fasteners are the connecting elements used in its installation. Polycarbonate sheets are partially rather than fully inserted into the connecting profile due to the material’s potential to expand by as much as 0.3% when heated. Concurrently, when enlarging a self-tapping screw hole, it should be 4 mm bigger than the fastener leg’s diameter.

For such a roof, wood components such as square or rectangular pipes or wooden bars are used as the rafter system. Systems of profiling are employed in the roof’s construction. Polycarbonate and aluminum products work well for this. These profiles are one-piece, detachable, end, connecting, and ridge.

Note: Polycarbonate profiles are a better choice if you want the roof to be as transparent as possible, as aluminum parts will create a lattice effect by blocking light.

Characteristics and requirements for the material

For polycarbonate roofing to be dependable, safe, and to fulfill its intended purposes, the material must adhere to certain standards.

The following are the prerequisites:

• if a roof is being installed for a canopy, then the thickness of the material should be 6-8 mm;
• when arranging roofs for houses, a thickness of 16-25 mm is applicable;
• if the roof will be subject to heavy loads, its thickness should be 32 mm;
• the material must be durable and transparent;
• it must be resistant to shock and mechanical damage;
• must have a low degree of flammability;
• have high load-bearing capacity and low weight.

It is possible to highlight the material’s technical features based on the requirements. Polycarbonate, for instance, comes in cellular, profiled, and monolithic forms.

Its color can be bronze, opal, clear, green, or blue. It ranges in thickness from 4 to 32 mm. Stiffener spacing varies from 5.7 to 11 mm.

There will be between 800 and 1700 grams of weight per square meter. light transmittance with a minimum bending radius of 700 mm and rays falling at a 90-degree angle between 76 and 85.

Crucial! Different polycarbonate types will expand at different rates thermally. Colored material, for instance, has 4.4 mm per meter. In this instance, the thermal expansion of transparent or opal-type raw materials will be 2.5 mm per meter.

Types of polymer plastic

Three subtypes of contemporary roofing material can be distinguished: monolithic, profiled, and cellular polycarbonate. It is advised to think about each of them independently.

Monolithic

This material has a smooth, transparent appearance that is somewhat reminiscent of silicate glass. Better than glass in terms of impact resistance and load carrying capacity. Because the raw material is less flexible than other types of polycarbonate, it can be used to arrange both pitched and flat roofs.

The material is easy to work with because it is lightweight and ranges in thickness from 2 to 12 mm. Service life of at least 15 years is guaranteed. Available in various hues, it can be corrugated or cast.

An overview of the usage of monolithic polycarbonate through video:

Profiled

This kind of polycarbonate is shown in profiles with a square outline or a wave-like shape. The appearance is far more lovely than the other options. Water will roll off such a roof more easily, and the material becomes 2-3 times stronger than its analogues because of profiling. You will need to use special silicone pads to fasten the raw materials to the roof.

Three types of profiled material are possible:

• U-shaped;
• trapezoidal;
• in the form of a wave.

Regarding a note. The raw materials are very strong, have a 30-year service life, and 92% of them are transparent.

It has a large color range, high plasticity, ease of installation and processing, and resistance to temperature changes.

Cellular

Compared to the other two types of material, this one is a little less transparent. It can, nevertheless, disperse light waves. This material’s roof is important for winter gardens or greenhouses where it’s crucial that sunlight falls evenly rather than directly on the leaves.

This material contains numerous vertical partitions in addition to horizontal cavities.

Polycarbonate cellular units can be:

• single-chamber, with a thickness of 4-10 mm;
• two-chamber with a thickness of 16 mm;
• as well as reinforced with a thickness of 4-6 mm and four-chamber with a thickness of 25 mm.

Note: The material is resistant to strong winds and heavy snowfall. Works in temperatures ranging from -20 to +80 degrees.

Pros, cons and application

It is advised that you become acquainted with the benefits and drawbacks of this material in order to comprehend why it is utilized for roofing. Polycarbonate’s advantages:

• Fire resistance. The material does not support combustion, and areas that do undergo melting quickly die out. This allows the use of raw materials for roofs of residential buildings and canopies. When burned, the material will not emit harmful substances.
• Impact resistance. Polycarbonate is able to withstand even a large hail and the fall of any heavy items. Impact resistance approximately 20 times higher than glass.
• Good thermal insulation properties. Cellular polycarbonate has closed cells filled with air, which does not conduct heat.
• Preservation of all its properties even at temperatures from +125 to -45 degrees. This suggests that the roof material will serve the same both in the summer heat and in the winter cold.
• Not afraid of harmful influences. Compared to other materials, polycarbonate is resistant to corrosion, rotting, and high and low temperatures. It bends and handles beautifully.
• Possibility of choosing colors – an important plus, especially when choosing a roof for a country house.
• A light weight, which allows you to deliver structures to the construction site without any problems.
• Long service life. Depending on the type and thickness of the raw material, its service life can reach 25-30 years.

However, polycarbonate is not without drawbacks.

• Among them, insufficient resistance to abrasive effects is distinguished – raw materials can be easily scratched.
• Also, some types of material are destroyed faster under ultraviolet and can expand intensively and narrow under the influence of different temperatures.

Owing to the previously mentioned benefits and drawbacks, polycarbonate is utilized in building, farming, facade decoration, balcony construction, and windbreak construction.

Crucial! A sufficient amount of shadow, a steady temperature, and the absence of external exposure to the kind of tree branches are among the requirements for using polycarbonate.

Installation technology

The following technology is used to mount polycarbonate roofs:

• make up a project or drawing, prepare materials and tools;
• Install the rafters: for this, take a beam with a section of 40-60 cm or metal rolling;
• must take into account the temperature expansion of the material, so they make gaps;
• The profiles are attached: their dimensions should coincide with the thickness of the sheet;
• if the profile is collapsible, first attach its lower element, lay down the sheets, then attach the upper element;
• if the profile is not dismountable, then the polycarbonate is placed on the finished frame and fixed with fasteners.

It is important to discuss cutting the material separately. A circular saw with sharp teeth or a jigsaw should be used to cut the sheets. The product shouldn’t vibrate while being cut.

Regarding a note. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the gaps in material are 2-3 mm bigger than the screws.

The following video will teach you how to use a connecting and end profile to install polycarbonate on a canopy:

Caring for plastic roofing

It is advised to clean and wash twice a year. But it’s best to get rid of the contaminants right away if they started earlier. Use warm water that has previously been mixed with dissolved liquid soap when doing laundry. You can use solvent or isopropyl alcohol, but not chemicals, if the stains are old or stubborn. Using a non-abrasive cloth or a gentle sponge, you must clean the roof.

It is advised to clear the canopy of leaves and snow in the winter and fall. A soft broom that won’t scratch the coating can be used.

Recommendation: You can use tape to seal the end voids during installation, keeping out leaves, rain, snow, and insects.

Hard brushes, synthetic clothing, and walking on the roof are not advised.

In our in-depth guide to installing polycarbonate roofing, we examine the various uses, kinds, prices, and crucial installation advice for this adaptable roofing material. This article seeks to provide builders and homeowners with practical advice for successful roof installations, from comprehending the benefits of various fastening techniques to navigating the price differences across types of polycarbonate.

Price

A polycarbonate roof will vary in price depending on the thickness and kind of material selected. As an illustration:

• A sheet of profiled material measuring 2000x1150x0.8 mm, transparent, will cost 1,000 rubles, while the same sheet, but turquoise in color, will cost 100 rubles more.
• A sheet of transparent honeycomb material with dimensions of 2100×6000 mm and a thickness of 4 mm will cost 4,750 rubles, and a blue sheet is 200 rubles more expensive.
• Honeycomb material with a thickness of 6 mm will cost 1000 rubles more.

The longevity and functionality of your polycarbonate roof depend on the fastening system you select. Fasteners come in a variety of forms, each appropriate for a particular installation requirement. Screw and washer systems are perfect for do-it-yourself projects because they provide a stable hold and are simple to install. Take into consideration the H-profile system, which offers superior structural support, for larger installations or locations that are prone to strong winds.

Pricing-wise, the cost of fastening a polycarbonate roof can change depending on the size of the project and the system type selected. While specialized profiles and clips may be more expensive, they provide improved stability and weather resistance. Basic screw and washer systems are more widely available and more reasonably priced. It’s critical to strike a balance between the long-term advantages of a firmly installed roof and your budget.

The subtleties of installation greatly affect how effective your polycarbonate roof is. In order to prevent leaks and structural problems over time, proper fastener spacing ensures an even distribution of weight and reduces stress points. Maintaining the integrity of your roof and making sure the torque settings are correct during installation will help extend its lifespan and improve its performance.

All things considered, attaching a polycarbonate roof requires close attention to detail and a thorough comprehension of your particular project requirements. You can guarantee a sturdy roofing solution that endures the weather and raises the value of your property by choosing the appropriate fasteners, taking your budget into account, and following best installation practices.

Video on the topic

Terrace with a transparent roof, how much does monolithic polycarbonate cost?.

thermal washer. how to install polycarbonate correctly.

How I attach MONOLITHIC PROFILED POLYCARBONATE. sharing my experience.