Lightweight and durable polycarbonate roof

Currently, construction technologies are actively developing, offering consumers new and interesting solutions. One of these is a polycarbonate roof. It is ideal for homes, verandas, gazebos and other structures where you need to create natural daylight. At the same time, despite all its lightness, it is quite durable.

What is polycarbonate?

This name is polymeric material. It is resistant to mechanical stress and temperature extremes, as well as high heat and sound insulation performance due to the presence of small air chambers. Moreover, it is lightweight and easy to process. These indicators provide easy installation of the material. A polycarbonate roof does not trap snow if it is made at a sufficient angle. It will also last for many years, since the warranty period of the material can reach 20 years.

Which to choose?

Do not purchase thin polycarbonate for the roof. The price for it is lower, but it is also able to withstand lower loads, and the thermal insulation properties are worse. If you compare 9 mm and 16 mm material, then their performance varies significantly. So, their impact strength will be 2.16 J and 5.6 J, respectively. As for the thermal insulation indicators, they will have a heat transfer coefficient of 3.2 and 2.3 W / m2 * C. But a similar difference in characteristics translates into a substantial price difference. A polycarbonate sheet with dimensions of 1200x6000 mm and a thickness of 9 mm will cost about 4 thousand rubles, and 16 mm - 6.5 thousand rubles. If you want to make the roof more durable, some manufacturers can offer products with a thickness of 25 mm and even 32 mm. Their strength and insulation performance will be even higher.

Polycarbonate Roof Mounting

From this material you can make almost any design. The roof can be flat, with a slope, in the form of a dome, prism, pyramid, etc. But in any case, the material should be mounted on a previously prepared frame. It can be made from:

- Metal profile. Both steel and aluminum structures can handle this task.

- Polycarbonate profile. Structural strength is practically not inferior to metal counterparts. But at the same time they have a number of advantages. They are light weight, airtight and transparent. This means that the polycarbonate roof will not have visible connection lines. That is, it will be completely transparent.

If the frame is made of a metal profile, then the ends of the polycarbonate should be sealed with tape. This is necessary in order to avoid the accumulation of water and dirt in them. If polycarbonate systems are used, then for these purposes a perforated tape is provided that reliably closes the longitudinal recesses.

The last step is the fastening of the sheet material. If the frame is made of metal or non-separable polycarbonate profiles, then it is fixed using self-tapping screws with washers every 30 centimeters. That is, pointwise. If the frame is made of collapsible polycarbonate profiles, then the sheets of material are laid on the guide elements, and then fastened with a fixing. Thus, a polycarbonate roof is mounted.