Polycarbonate sheeting is vastly becoming a popular type of roofing, in and around homes across the UK. As a material its extremely versatile and can be used in a range of different structures from conservatories to leans-to, garages and more. It’s a cost effective solution to roofing bringing a durability and easy installation to the party.
If it’s the first time you’ve heard of it, or the first time you’re installing it – it can be a little daunting to begin with. Afterall the roof is an important part of any building structure and needs to be done correctly or you risk damage to the structure itself as well as the contents within.
That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to Polycarbonate, we’ll go through what you need to know and run you through how to install polycarbonate roofing sheets.
Choosing Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets
Polycarbonate sheets come in a range of different styles as well as sizes, from 4mm to 35mm. Each different thickness is typically suited to different applications so ensuring you’re using the right polycarbonate sheet sizes for the right projects is crucial.
Multiwall Polycarbonate
Multiwall polycarbonate is similar to corrugated polycarbonate sheets but utilises a dual wall approach making it exceptionally strong and resistant to impact. It can be created in a variety of colours but is always lightweight though can be created in various thicknesses and subsequently used for different applications.
4mm & 6mm Polycarbonate
4mm & 6mm polycarbonate sheets aren’t typically used for larger structures but are best for cloches, or cold frames. They are the shallowest so make a great material to be used as a form of cladding or barriers where safety isn’t a great concern. Think partition walls for segmenting gardens or makeshift shelters for plants.
10mm & 16mm Polycarbonate
10mm & 16mm polycarbonate sheets are an example of multiwall polycarbonate. They are more commonly known as twin or triple wall, respectively. These thicknesses offer a greater resistance to impact due to their thickness and are typically used for structures such as lean-tos and pergolas. Something where heat retention may not be a priority but protection from rain maybe.
25mm & 35mm Polycarbonate
25mm & 35mm polycarbonate sheets are by the measurement the thickest. Naturally these offer the greatest level of durability and resistance to impact. These types of thickness are typically the ones chosen for integrated structures to a property. Something that will be used regularly such as conservatories and garages.
Solid Polycarbonate Sheets
Solid polycarbonate sheets differ from those of the corrugated or multi-walled ones previously mentioned. Whilst they bring a better aesthetic quality in comparison to its corrugated counterpart it lacks the same strength. Whilst still durable and shatter-proof these tend to lend themselves better to structures like greenhouses.
Installing Polycarbonate Roofing
The first step to installing polycarbonate roofing is making sure the structure you’re fitting to is secure, not only in its construction but also in terms of supporting the roof and any other components that will need to be attached such as rafters and support bars.
Secondly you’ll need to ensure the sheets and glazing bars are cut to measure for your structure or frame and then test its fit. You’ll also need to account for things such as the rafters, supports and even glazing bars depending on what you’re using your polycarbonate sheets for.
From here you’re ready to fit your polycarbonate roofing sheets. Start with glazing bars at the edges of the roof to prepare for the roof to be placed. Ensure you’ve attached the bars by fixing them to the structure.
Typically you will need to employ eaves fillers and this is the stage where they should be added. From here start adding your polycarbonate roofing sheets by attaching it to one of the glazing bars on one end of the roof, line the sheet up to ensure it’s placed correctly.
If you’re using multiple sheets you’ll need to ensure that there are glazing bars between each layer. Once all layers, if using more than one, are correctly aligned proceed to secure with screws.
That’s it. Simple right? All that’s left to do is a little tidy up cleaning any dust or debris created from installing your sheet and removing and disposing of any left over polycarbonate sheets. From here you can sit back and admire the fruits of your labour and enjoy whatever structure you’ve built, safe in the knowledge you’ll be safe from the elements.
