How to properly lay polycarbonate on a canopy - clear instructions. Roofing polycarbonate Is it possible to cover the roof with polycarbonate

Currently, new materials appear on the construction market, which immediately become popular due to their unique properties. This is exactly what polycarbonate is - a material made of polymers with the highest degree of resistance to mechanical stress and temperature extremes, which contributes to its widespread use, in particular in the construction industry.

Almost everything can be made of polycarbonate: fences, windows, gazebos, awnings, verandas, suspended ceilings. Moreover, today you can even build a polycarbonate roof and, most importantly, you can do it yourself, since the installation is not very difficult, but the result will please. It is possible to arrange a transparent polycarbonate roof over any structure, including over a residential building, a cold attic, over a balcony area, a terrace, a veranda - wherever natural lighting will not be superfluous.

Properties of polycarbonate

Since any roof must meet certain requirements, the material for its device must have the appropriate characteristics. Polycarbonate is just one of those materials that have the desired properties:

transparency of the material, due to which it is possible to provide natural light through the roof, approximately as shown in the photo, for a longer time every day than through the windows;
excellent impact resistance that can withstand even large hail and other falling objects;
shock resistance and absence of chips and fragments in case of possible damage;
low degree of flammability and combustion resistance. In addition, even near an open flame, when the material melts, it does not emit harmful compounds;
good performance in terms of sound and thermal insulation properties;
light weight of the material, due to which polycarbonate panels are easy to deliver to the construction site, just as easy to process, do all the installation work, create fairly light polycarbonate roofs with your own hands, expanding the possibilities of design desires, and all this at a not so high cost;
unique flexibility of the material, allowing you to create various architectural forms of any level of complexity. Moreover, polycarbonate bends well in one direction, and in the opposite direction, it is quite tough. This allows him to withstand any serious stress;
high bearing capacity;
retains all its properties in the temperature range from +125 to - 45 degrees, therefore it will serve the same in the summer heat and at the lowest temperatures in winter;
lends itself to any type of processing: gluing, bending, drilling, cutting, thanks to which the structure will be reliable and durable, the main thing is that the angle of inclination of the flat roof is so sufficient that snow on the surface cannot linger;
relatively low cost;
long service life, which, depending on the quality and thickness of the material, ranges from 7-8 to 25 years.

Design features

Polycarbonate structures can be built in a wide variety of shapes: flat, but with such an angle of inclination so that rainwater can drain freely. In addition, you can make the upper part of the house in the form of a pyramid, prism, dome, hemisphere - here there are simply no restrictions on the imaginations of the owners of the house.

It's important to know: In order to give the roof the desired shape, you must first make a base frame, on which the roof surface will then be mounted.

You can create a basis for the construction of a polycarbonate roof with your own hands from profiles made of aluminum or steel material. If you want to create a completely transparent building surface, you can purchase ready-made polycarbonate profiles and then the roof will not have any visible joints. This option allows you to make an original roof, as if floating above the building.

Required tools and materials

Before conceiving the construction of any structure, you need to take care of the purchase of the necessary materials. In this case - polycarbonate boards. They, depending on the quality, are divided into several types:

The most affordable economical option, but it will last from 5 to 8 years.
The optimal polycarbonate will last a couple of years longer. If you cover the roof with this type of material, you can not think about its repair and other types of maintenance for more than ten years, as it happens on roofs made of other materials.
The service life of elite polycarbonate is slightly longer - 12-15 years.
The longest service life has a premium canvas, it will retain its appearance and properties for more than two decades.

The pricing of each type of polycarbonate material depends on the amount of recyclable materials added at the manufacturing stage, as well as on the size of the sheets and the indicators of their thermal resistance.

Necessary tools for work:

plane, hammer;
level, or bar;
sealant for filling voids and gaps;
material for making a frame and subsequent laying of a polycarbonate roof with your own hands;
tape for end-face processing;
jigsaw, screwdriver, hacksaw;
fasteners. Usually these are self-tapping screws with thermal washers.

DIY installation

The construction of a roof, like any other structure, begins with drawing up a project or drawing, according to which the amount of material required for work is calculated.

Installation of rafters

When installing the base for polycarbonate, you need to take only high-quality material, since the reliability of the operation of polycarbonate sheets and the appearance of the building depend on the strength of the rafters. Therefore, it is best to take a beam with a section of 40-60 cm on the frame, or a metal profile. You can strengthen the roof structure by installing additional bars, placing them in the transverse and longitudinal direction between the beams.

When installing the rafters, so as not to cut the panels once again, you will have to take into account that the width of the polycarbonate sheets is 210 cm plus 5 millimeters of the temperature gap on each side. Knowing these subtleties will help you correctly calculate the length with an arched or flat roof.

Profile attachment

When installing connectors and fasteners, you need to ensure that the profiles are selected for work, those that are intended for use at this stage, there are models of profile products for connecting operations, ridge, end, external and internal connections on sale. In addition, the dimensions of any kind of profile must match the thickness of the sheet. If the work will be carried out on profiles made of metal or aluminum, then the end parts of the sheets must be sealed with tape.

The collapsible profile is attached in several stages - first the lower element, and then, the panels are installed, and after them the upper element of the profile.

On a note: For the installation of a non-separable profile, additional preparations are not carried out: the polycarbonate lies on the finished frame and is fixed by a point technique, or by fixing profiles.

When building a roof made of polycarbonate, the material must be placed in honeycombs only vertically, if put across, moisture will accumulate inside and the material will darken. If the roof is rounded, the edges of the honeycomb are directed along the radius.

Cutting polycarbonate

When cutting off excess material, you should work with a cutting tool, and this can be a jigsaw and a circular saw, with sharp fine teeth. The speed will have to be selected experimentally, since too high a speed leads to overheating of the polymer and its melting, and from too low, chips form on the material. During work, it is impossible to allow polycarbonate to vibrate, from this microcracks can form.

Drilling polycarbonate

When performing installation work using self-tapping screws, before screwing them in, you need to make holes, the diameter of which should be 2-3 mm larger than the diameter of the fastener.

Good to know: For the job, it is best to use a drill designed for non-ferrous metal.

But it is not enough to know how to make a polycarbonate roof, you need to know how to fix it, it is by no means possible to screw the self-tapping screws all the way, you need to leave room for the temperature play of the polycarbonate material.

And most importantly, for all types of work, it is allowed to use only sharpened tools and perform them only on a flat surface, while trying not to damage the protective film on the polycarbonate sheets. If it is removed earlier, debris or even very small plastic particles can get inside the hollow channels, which will then need to be removed, either with compressed air, or shake out the sheets themselves, which, given their size, is quite problematic.

To make a polycarbonate roof with your own hands, you need ...

We build a shed polycarbonate roof: analysis of the nuances and subtleties of construction technology

Modern roofing polycarbonate, in many of its qualities, is not only not inferior to traditional shed roof coverings, but also surpasses them! Lightweight, eco-friendly, easy to install and diffuse light. The fashion for the sky, which can be seen through the roof, already exists all over the world. Have you dreamed of such a ceiling in your own home, your favorite workshop or a new veranda? Are you inspired by new architectural quirks? Then you just have to figure out how a shed roof is arranged under polycarbonate - and everything will work out! And you will be surprised how durable and aesthetic a roof will turn out, which will be no worse than glossy samples from suburban construction magazines.

Pros and cons of polycarbonate as a roofing material

It will be interesting for you to know that such a popular and familiar to us polycarbonate was born completely by accident! Once a German scientist mixed the ingredients necessary for the experiment in a new way, and a dense transparent precipitate settled on the bottom of the flask. It was with him that they began to make new translucent structures. They differed in that they weighed 6 times less than glass, but at the same time were stronger.

And modern roofing polycarbonate is valuable for its such qualities:

Does not emit toxic substances.
Does not support combustion, hardly flammable.
It is lightweight.
It is simply cut and processed.
Easily bends into the desired shape.
Flexible and easy to carry the weight of the snow.
It is heat-resistant and does not change its properties in heat and severe frost.
Available in a wide variety of colors.

And as a material for a pitched roof, it also has such additional advantages:

Excellent sound absorption. That is why today it is actively used as an acoustic screen along busy highways - to reduce harmful noise for residential buildings. Those. under such a roof it will be not only warm, but also quiet.
It has one side with a protective layer against ultraviolet radiation, and the other with reflective particles. Moreover, the material reflects up to 60% of sunlight, which significantly reduces the heat load of the entire building in the heat. This means that you do not have to purchase air conditioners.
Practically indestructible: extreme impact resistance ranges from 900 to 1100 kJ / m2, while the strongest polystyrene has this figure of only 10 kJ / m2.

And in order to give the roofing polycarbonate the necessary qualities, modern manufacturers cover the sheets with special films:

Anti-condensation film. With such a coating, a shed roof under polycarbonate will not collect moisture on the inner surface.
UV film. This UV protective coating protects the sheet from haze and yellowing.

UV protection is applied to polycarbonate by the method of co-extrusion in the factory. And a new stage of technical progress in this area is polycarbonate roofing sheets with double UV protection. They have the highest wear resistance - only 4 delta units in terms of yellowing index, in comparison with 10 ordinary sheets.

Of course, roofing polycarbonate has its drawbacks, some of which are quite serious:

Collects static electricity.
It is not always designed for the point pressure of the weight of the person who makes the repair.
In the event of a fire, it melts and drips hot drops onto everything in the room.

But as for the last point, we note that in the event of a fire, very little remains unharmed. Therefore, it is not worth giving up the fashionable polycarbonate roof because of this.

And note that the quality and properties of roofing polycarbonate are getting better day by day. New shades of toning appear and new additives are introduced that block the amount of glare, and as a result, the sunlight that passes through the sheet is cleaner. And what else is ahead!

Types of modern roofing polycarbonate

But let's first figure out what kind of polycarbonate you can use for your roof.

Monolithic polycarbonate

Monolithic polycarbonate is a solid plate with a thickness of 2 to 12 mm. It is much stronger than glass, but at the same time it is many times lighter, due to which it leads the rating of modern anti-vandal plastics.

Monolithic polycarbonate for roofs is produced in molded or corrugated form.

Profiled monolithic polycarbonate

Corrugation is a profile that we see in the form of a wavy shape or a square outline. It's not only beautiful! A carefully selected profile allows you to make such material 2-3 times stronger, plus rainwater rolls off much easier. But attaching one to the roof, of course, is more difficult - you will have to use additional silicone supports.

Modern roofing polycarbonate sheets are mainly produced in three types of cross-section:

Moreover, it is no more difficult to work with corrugated polycarbonate than with cellular or monolithic ones.

Profiled monolithic polycarbonate has many more advantages than sheet polycarbonate:

Higher strength, like a metal profile.
Service life up to 30 years.
High wear resistance.
Transparency level up to 92%.
Ease of installation and processing.
High plasticity.
Lightweight - only 1.7 kg per square meter.
Wide range of colors.
Resistant to temperature extremes, fading and adverse precipitation.

And finally, aesthetic appeal!

Separate corrugated sheets are produced in shades of gray, bronze, milky white and opal: these perfectly protect against the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. This means that under such a roof, various materials will burn out and collapse less.

Cellular polycarbonate

Cellular polycarbonate, which is slightly less transparent than monolithic, is also valuable as a roof covering. But it has an important function - the scattering of rays. You will choose just such a roof covering if, for example, you are building a winter garden or a greenhouse: direct rays burn the delicate leaves of plants. The same applies to utility and storage facilities - not a single item will be durable under the scorching sun.

Diffused light is also considered more valuable because it penetrates more into the dark corners of the room and does not give a chance for such nasty things as fungi and mold to survive there. But how does this happen? The fact is that monolithic polycarbonate has an integral and transparent structure, and therefore the light beam that passes through it only slightly changes its angle, and that's it. And the cell phone is made not only of horizontal planes - there are many vertical partitions in it. As a result, the passing beam breaks up into thousands of smaller ones, each with its own angle. This is the diffused light.

Cellular polycarbonate for the roof is produced today of the following types according to the type of internal structure:

Single chamber standard, with a thickness of 4 to 10 mm.
Two-chamber standard, with a sheet thickness of 16 mm.
Reinforced hardened, but with a thickness of 4-6 mm.
Four-chamber, with a sheet thickness of 25 mm.

Cellular polycarbonate consists of two panels, which are interconnected by stiffening ribs. Therefore, in essence, most of the cellular polycarbonate is air.

Internal stiffening ribs give polycarbonate special strength, thanks to which it can easily withstand severe wind and snow loads. Extreme temperature range - from -20 ° to + 80 ° С. What other roofing covering has similar parameters?

Cellular polycarbonate, the honeycomb of which is filled with airgel, is a new type of product. It has high impact resistance and thermal insulation, which surpassed three-chamber double-glazed windows with argon.

Choice of thickness of roofing sheets

Some polycarbonate doesn't suit you. The fact is that the construction market today offers PC sheets of very different thicknesses - both for greenhouses and for glazing with increased loads. Therefore, when choosing polycarbonate for the roof, proceed from what exactly you want to cover.

Sheets 4-6 mm thick are the most fragile. They are used for greenhouses and greenhouses, advertising stands and small translucent roof inserts:

Sheets 6-8 mm thick can already be safely used for the roof of a gazebo and a small utility block, awnings and glazing of the ends of a pitched roof. It's as easy as shelling pears to work with it:

Polycarbonate 10 mm thick usually goes already on vertical glazing in order to create a sound-absorbing barrier. This polycarbonate will make an excellent transparent wall in an attic under a pitched roof.

PC sheets with a thickness of 16 to 32 mm are used where there will be an increased load: for roofs of private houses, industrial premises and winter gardens. And for the roof of the house, of course, you need polycarbonate with a thickness of 16 mm and above. But just do not think that it is better for them to finish everything at once: both ends and complex parts. The fact is that the thicker the PC sheet, the denser and tougher it is, and the more loads it can withstand, but its flexibility has already been reduced significantly.

We do not take into account wind loads especially, because the shed roof has a low windage.

What kind of rafter system is needed?

As rafters for a pitched polycarbonate roof, we advise you to use both wooden blocks and square and rectangular pipes. Here is a detailed master class for such construction:

But at the same time, remember that the minimum slope of a shed roof made of polycarbonate is 10%.

How to choose fasteners and profiles

Unlike ordinary, more traditional types of roofing, where everything is prosaic and the method of fastening is indicated by the manufacturer, you will have to tinker with polycarbonate. And first of all, you need to decide how exactly it will be more profitable to connect the sheets to each other.

Profiling systems

These are made from polycarbonate or aluminum. Profiling systems are two structural connecting elements that close the ends of the plates using bolts and sealants. And for polycarbonate roofs, special profiles are sold today:

UP - end. Naturally, the ends of the roofing sheets are sealed with such a profile.
PSK or PSB - connecting. They connect the panels in one horizontal plane.
RP - ridge. They are connected to panels in a gable roof.
HP is a one-piece profile that is used for mounting small planes and arches. Those. you will make such a mount only once, and later you will not be able to remove it.
SP and HCP are split profiles that are used for the installation of pitched roofs and their vertical parts.
PT - end profile for polycarbonate, which has an improved design. There is already a drip and drainage channel, thanks to which the outflow of water is improved.

And all these profiles differ in the material from which they are made.

Polycarbonate profiles

Take polycarbonate if maximum transparency of the roof is vital for you and in no case should there be any shadows. Quite a life situation, by the way. In the modern world of design and architecture, for example, it has become fashionable to make the attic absolutely transparent, from where you can see everything - both the sky and the city. And inside, equip a personal office, a small gym for all family members or a minibar for frequent gatherings with friends.

Aluminum profiles in this case will look terrible - like the bars of a prison, and, of course, ruin the whole aesthetics. It is for such design whims that transparent polycarbonate profiles were developed, which are almost invisible. And at the same time, we note that they are quite durable:

Such profiles, of course, are not load-bearing, but they are bent as easily as the polycarbonate itself. Plus, they heat up under the sun much less than aluminum, while having additional UV protection.

Aluminum profiles

Aluminum profiles are indispensable if you plan to build an unusual or architecturally complex roof. Such profiles provide excellent tightness and meet all reliability requirements. Therefore, if in your area snow and wind loads are above average, it is better to use such a mount.

The advantages of an aluminum profile include its length - more than 6 meters. This suggests that you can easily use this profile for large structures, without any joints.

The "facade system" aluminum profile is also suitable for the roof. It has a special decorative cover that covers the profile and thus disguises the screws. The lid itself, even in the factory, is painted in a color according to the RAL table, and therefore you can use both white and color for the roof device, adding a bright accent to the design of the whole house.

But for aluminum profiles, it is already necessary to use special EPDM seals, which will protect the roofing polycarbonate from the transfer of heating of the aluminum parts and protect it from moisture getting inside. Such seals are installed using a rubber hammer and roller shutter.

Special thermal washers

Polycarbonate cannot be fastened with simple roofing screws - there are special thermal washers for this. What is the difference between them? The fact is that polycarbonate is a mobile material subject to thermal expansion and contraction. And under ordinary self-tapping screws, the attachment points will eventually become covered with cracks, which will gradually increase:

All of these rubber spacers and neoprene discs are essential to keep the cellular polycarbonate from being squeezed. If this happens, rain or melt moisture will easily get inside the panel, and this is already a round of new problems.

Note that the lion's share of the special seals that are used are made of elastomer. This material behaves well in terms of thermal expansion and ensures complete tightness of the joints. For the roof, these parameters are especially important, you must agree:

Another important task that thermal washers for polycarbonate are designed to solve is getting rid of the so-called cold bridges. We are talking about places through which cold penetrates into the structure and where, due to the temperature difference, condensation forms directly on the surface of the sheet. Thermal washers allow you to give the entire structure a complete and aesthetic look. A special snap-on cover hides the self-tapping screws, and the color of the washers does not stand out against the background of the entire sheet.

Moreover, such washers are sold in two types:

Polycarbonate washers. They are frost-resistant, last 10 years or more, ideally match the color of polycarbonate. Of the additional advantages - they are equipped with a special four-circuit elastomer sealing ring.
Polypropylene washers. They serve for about 2 years, they are afraid of ultraviolet radiation, from which they become fragile. The color of the washers does not always match the shade of the tinted polycarbonate roof. But it is more affordable if it is important for you.

Of course, polycarbonate washers are more suitable for building a roof from the same material. But it is also important to fix them correctly:

Step 1. Choose a mounting location. This should be done slowly, carefully, because the "accidental" hole will also have to be closed with the same washers. At least aesthetically, you will lose.
Step 2. Calculate the distance between the washers - for this we have presented a detailed table for you below.
Step 3. Select the hole diameter.
Step 4. We fasten the washer. This must be done accurately, not too weakly and not too hard, so as not to push the washer. Make sure only that the sealing material does not stick to the sheets.

And a screwdriver will help to fix such a washer:

Sealed tapes

It is imperative to cover all the lower edges of the installed roofing sheets with aluminum tape and UP-profiles. And not a simple aluminum tape, but a perforated one, which is capable of releasing condensate that has accidentally accumulated in the honeycomb. That is why holes are pre-drilled in the UP-profile too.

In places where the next panel overlaps along the sheet waveform, use sealing tape and along the fixing lines for the bottom and top overlap.

So, step by step:

Step 1. In the upper part of the wave, drill holes for the screws - 10 mm each.
Step 2. Now fix the screws in the drilled holes - on the left side.
Step 3. Screw the screws into every other wave starting from the bottom beam.
Step 4. Now fasten the screws in every third wave.
Step 5. The last, topmost sheet, begin to fasten on the left side.
Step 6. Fix the side overlaps of the sheets every 30 cm.

Here's more details:

Roofing sealant

For polycarbonate roofing, be sure to also use a special roofing sealant. Moreover, you need to purchase one that is intended specifically for this material, because these are produced on a neutral basis and do not destroy the polycarbonate itself. A sealant is needed to seal all joints and fastenings of a transparent roof.

Secrets and subtleties of technology from the pros

So, we figured out a little with the crate. Now let's move on to working with sheets. It is impossible to step on the polycarbonate itself during its installation, and therefore make special platforms.

In this case, it is necessary to work only at positive temperatures, not lower than -5 ° C, so that cracks from the fastening do not go. The fact is that the roofing polycarbonate itself calmly withstands cold and up to -20 ° C, but unless at that moment holes are drilled in it.

For the rest, it is important to adhere to certain rules:

How to work with polycarbonate roofing sheets?

You can cut roofing polycarbonate with a regular cut and a laser. But these are already machine operations, where the laser power and cutting speed are adjusted at the factory. But the edges of the cut with this method will no longer be transparent - either white or brown, depending on the cutting speed.

To drill into polycarbonate sheet you will need high speed drills, either for metal or with a carbide insert. This is the only way you can keep the sharpness of the cut edges of the sheets.

And one more thing: during drilling, any tool heats up the polycarbonate. Therefore, if you want the drilled holes to be clean and not melted, then work with the sheets not in the hot sun, but in a cool workshop - at least. Ideally, if you can cool the polycarbonate a little in advance - but not below zero temperature, so that there are no cracks. In general, do your best to reduce the amount of heat while working on the roof.

These are all really important. After all, incorrectly made holes in polycarbonate for the roof is a whole problem. It is only in the greenhouse that it does not really interfere if water flows into the plants through the mountings in the rain, but for a residential building, nothing is good, as you know, this does not bode well.

How to properly fix the sheets on the roof?

Try to use panels that are not too long for the roof - only up to 7 meters. When doing this, always lay the polycarbonate sheets with the UV protection facing upwards. And it is easiest to cut polycarbonate with a hacksaw with fine teeth and a circular saw.

Always make the overlap length 200 mm, 100 mm for each sheet from the fixing line on the support. Place the last fixing line between 50-100 mm. If you are making a roof from monolithic polycarbonate, be sure to leave gaps in the frames to compensate for thermal expansion.

There are also special silicone pads for fastening with thermal washers for profiled polycarbonate. For wavy, these are:

And for trapezoidal polycarbonate these are:

Are connecting profiles mandatory?

But few people know that roofing polycarbonate sheets can also be glued, and not only connected with special profiles. So, it is only important to follow just a few rules:

Clean the ends of the sheets from any contamination, especially subtle dust.
All surfaces of the future glued ends must be smooth and even.
The varnish or solvent that is used should not thicken or change its appearance.
The room where you turn all this should be as low as possible humidity.
Use low-activity varnishes - this is the only way to avoid whitening.
The bonded surfaces must be pressed under the press until they are completely cured.
Be sure to wear personal respiratory protection.

And it is easiest to clean polycarbonate sheets with isopropyl or methyl alcohol, or mild soap solutions.

If you decide to make a rather complex pitched roof out of polycarbonate, you will also need welding in the process. You will use it to process finished parts. So, welding with a hot pad (300 ° C) will help to achieve the strength of the joints of the sheets, and welding with hot air with a welding rod (120 ° C) will pre-dry these welded areas. Ultrasonic welding is also used, with 20 kHz processing in the range of 25-40 microns.

And finally, you will need to grind all the unaesthetic details. The easiest way to do this is to use a 400 or 600 grit silicon sandpaper.

What about ventilation of such a roof?

So, you have chosen polycarbonate, you have drawn up a roof project, and now is the time to think about ventilation of the under-roof space. The fact is that in the case of a pitched roof, ventilation is not often thought of at all, even dormer windows are not always installed. And this, when using polycarbonate as a roofing material, will lead to overheating, from which, in the heat, some parts can even change their shape a little.

Moreover, you should not give up the partial insulation of a shed polycarbonate roof:

As you can see, everything is simple! Have new ideas? Go for it!

Do-it-yourself shed roof for polycarbonate: instructions, diagrams, drawings

Everything about the types and work with roofing polycarbonate: fasteners, insulation, profile selection and even insulation. How to properly build a shed roof for polycarbonate -

DIY polycarbonate roof

Polycarbonate is a modern material often used in construction for the construction of partitions, walls, hanging and decorative elements. Polycarbonate is also widely used as a roof covering. Roofs of houses, gazebos, open terraces, awnings and canopies over the entrance are erected from it. The polycarbonate roof allows you to embody the most daring ideas thanks to the features of this material.

DIY polycarbonate roof

The advantages of polycarbonate include:

Low weight with high mechanical strength;
The ability to transmit light;
A wide range of shades and colors;
Original and elegant appearance;
Ease of installation and processing;
Polycarbonate does not rust, does not deteriorate under the influence of chemicals and microorganisms, is resistant to temperature extremes, provided it is correctly installed.

Polycarbonate also has disadvantages. One of them is instability to UV radiation when the protective layer is damaged, therefore, during installation, it is necessary to monitor the integrity of the protective film and remove it only after all work is completed. Another feature of polycarbonate that should be taken into account is its high coefficient of thermal expansion. It is necessary to mount polycarbonate using special self-tapping screws through pre-drilled holes of a larger diameter. Otherwise, when the temperature changes, deformation of the material is possible.

Types of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is subdivided into monolithic and cellular. Monolithic polycarbonate is highly durable and has a standard thickness of 2 to 12 mm. The dimensions of a sheet of monolithic polycarbonate are 2.05x3.05 meters. Its area of application is roofs of various configurations, experiencing a large snow and wind load. Monolithic polycarbonate with a thickness of 12 mm is considered vandal-proof and is able to withstand a hammer blow without the slightest damage.

Cellular polycarbonate has a significantly lower weight due to its cellular structure: a sheet is made up of two or more thin sheets of polycarbonate connected by stiffening ribs along the entire length of the sheet. This material structure allows for high mechanical strength at low weight. Arched structures, domed roofs and other complex elements are made of cellular polycarbonate. Cellular polycarbonate can be both transparent and matte, has a wide range of shades. Standard thickness - from 4 to 32 mm, sheet dimensions 2.1x6.1 or 2.1x12.1 meters.

Materials for making the frame

The polycarbonate roof frame is available in a variety of materials. The decisive factor in the selection is the basic style of the building and the expected weight of the structure, taking into account the snow load. In wooden buildings, when performing a straight roof, a rafter system of wooden bars or boards is used, on which a transverse lathing and polycarbonate sheets are laid. This design fits perfectly into the overall style and gives the structure lightness, volume and light.

Arched structures of canopies, verandas, as well as domed roofs are usually made on a frame made of a profile, aluminum or steel. Steel is used for bulky structures and high snow load. For light buildings, a lightweight aluminum profile is sufficient. For arches of large radius, additional supports and struts, transverse stiffeners from the profile are also used.

Fastening of polycarbonate to the profile is carried out using special self-tapping screws with a sealing washer. The joints of the sheets are connected using an H-shaped profile for polycarbonate.

Straight roof made of polycarbonate: execution technology

A straight roof made of polycarbonate is usually used when arranging open terraces, gazebos, and small garden houses. The choice of polycarbonate as a roof covering allows you to get natural light, create a feeling of lightness and open space. At the same time, such a roof cannot be properly insulated without losing its transparency; therefore, it is not very suitable for buildings used in winter.

A straight roof made of polycarbonate can be of any design: single-slope, gable or hip. The rafter system depends on the type of roof. Rafters for lightweight material such as polycarbonate can be made from 40 mm thick boards. The wood is treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant solutions, if desired, you can give it a certain shade.
The step between the rafters must be chosen based on the standard width of the sheet, so that the distance between the bars is the same, and the joints of the sheets fall on the rafters. The transverse crate is made of 50x20 mm bars, cutting them into the rafters laid on the end.

Straight polycarbonate roof

Polycarbonate arched roof

Arched roofs are most often performed in the construction of awnings, canopies, summer gazebos. They are extremely simple in design, and the most difficult task is to make arcs from a profile or a square tube. Actually, the difficulty lies in bending it evenly around the entire circumference, and for this it is better to use a template.

Do-it-yourself polycarbonate roof - step by step technique!

Find out more about what a polycarbonate roof is and how to make it yourself. A detailed technique and video will help you figure it out.

Cottage construction is so popular that more and more people leave their apartments in noisy cities and move to the fresh air. Here you can relax and recuperate, escape from the hustle and bustle and admire the beauty of nature. But the more fans a country dwelling has, the more varied the buildings are erected in their habitats, and this is great, because often new items in the construction industry simply amaze with their functionality and decorative properties.

These are the characteristics that polycarbonate roofs for houses and ancillary structures have. They are installed above the porch or pool, erected in the form of a canopy in the parking lot and above the barbecue area. So why is this material, which is quite new for our country, so attracted to modern developers?

Material specifications

Polycarbonate has excellent durability. This polymer is durable and attractive, although it is the kind of plastic we have known for a long time. Its transparent structure allows the sun's rays to pass through and also provides a panoramic view, which only adds to its decorative value. This material is used to build terraces near the house, verandas and light spacious greenhouses.

The service life of a polycarbonate roof is directly influenced by the quality of the material and the correct installation. Polymer can be divided into several categories, each with its own lifespan:

Premium - withstands at least 20 years of operation.
Elite - has served for at least 12 years.
Optimal - 10 years on average.
Economy - up to 8 years old.

Before choosing such a material for your home, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with its advantages and disadvantages, which will make it possible to better understand the properties and features of the new generation roofing.

Dignity

The advantages of a honeycomb polymer coating include:

excellent light transmittance. About 80% of the sunlight gets through the transparent coating;
good flexibility parameters, which makes it possible to make structures of a curved shape without the risk of deforming the structure and violating the integrity of the material;
decent general characteristics, thanks to which it can be successfully combined with building materials of different textures;
high thermal stability, allowing to operate polycarbonate in the temperature range from -40 to +120 С;
strength against mechanical stress, withstands a layer of snow more than one meter;
excellent thermal insulation properties. The canopy keeps you warm during the cold season and keeps you cool on hot summer days;
light weight, only 2.5 kg / 1m2;
resistance to fire;
full compliance with safety requirements, in case of damage it does not break into small or even more sharp fragments;
has good soundproofing parameters;
easy to install, no special skills are required to install it;
affordable cost, in comparison with the same glass;
makes it possible to build a structure of any, even the most bizarre, forms that will decorate the house;
wide range of colors, so there will be no problems with the choice of the desired option.

disadvantages

Polycarbonate does not have many drawbacks and they are rather conditional. For example, the material will not be able to shelter you from the bright sun, but this property can also be considered an advantage, because you do not need to resort to the help of additional lighting devices during the daytime, thereby saving on electricity costs.

And, of course, the really minus of the polymer is fragility, which can manifest itself with improper installation, which can lead to cracks on the treated surface.

Types of polycarbonate

Two types of polycarbonate are used in construction:

Solid, produced in the form of sheets, the thickness of which can be from 2 mm to 1 cm. Most often, it is installed where heavy rainfall is observed and gusty winds blow. On visual inspection, you can hardly distinguish it from glass. This type of material is the most expensive.
Structured, with a sheet thickness of up to 3 cm, and an impressive weight, which sometimes exceeds that of a monolithic product. This type of polymer has increased strength due to its cellular structure. They can cover arched ceilings and round roofs of the house. Before purchasing such a building material, ask the seller about which option is best for your conditions, otherwise you may face an unplanned replacement of the material due to the fact that it does not meet your requirements.

An example of installing a polycarbonate roof

Using the example of installing a cover for a gazebo, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the step-by-step instructions that will help you make a high-quality structure with your own hands. Here we will use cellular polycarbonate, which is 8mm thick. The shape of the canopy can be anything you like - hipped roof, with several slopes, domed or any other, but we will talk about the direct configuration of the roof.

As in any construction process, here the beginning of work lies in drawing up a project with drawings that must be prepared in advance.

Rafter system

Before installation, wooden elements for the rafter system must be treated with antiseptics, which will prevent the natural material from rotting, thereby significantly increasing its operational period. Also, if you wish, you can tint the wood with a special varnish. Dry boards must be installed vertically with a step equal to the width of the polycarbonate sheet. A crate is stuffed from the bars, which is mounted across the rafter elements.

Fixing sheets

To fix the sheets of reinforced plastic on the crate, you need to use self-tapping screws, complete with washer-seals, as fasteners. To avoid deformation of the skin, you can first mark the places for the self-tapping screws, and then drill holes in their place with a diameter exceeding the same parameter of the fasteners.

Sheets of material are connected to each other using special profiles, which can be either solid or detachable. It is not recommended to screw the self-tapping screws all the way, otherwise the linear expansion will remain in a static position when the temperature changes, and the roof may burst due to stress in the plastic structure.

Sealing

In order for the roof of the gazebo near the house to serve its owners for many years, it is necessary to make the correct sealing of the honeycomb sheets, for which tape is glued on the ends of the polycarbonate elements or a profile is installed, thereby eliminating the appearance of condensation. It is also recommended to coat with an additional layer of sealant at the joints of the plates, then you will get a guaranteed impermeability.

To make the work easier, and the installation result was positive, use the advice of professionals:

do not mount a completely transparent roof, as you cannot hide under it from the scorching sun;
do not remove the protective film from the material, because it protects it from damage;
do not forget to equip a ventilation system if a polycarbonate roof of a house is mounted above a living space;
avoid building a completely flat roof, as snow and water will constantly accumulate on its surface, corroding the structure at the joints of the elements;
during work and operation, do not step on polycarbonate sheets, because they are fragile and may not support your weight.

If you strictly follow the instructions and listen to our advice, then you will have an excellent DIY polycarbonate roof.

Today, among other roofing materials, polycarbonate has proven itself well. It is not surprising. After all, the coating has a number of advantages and at the same time has only a few disadvantages, and even those are only more likely warnings for correct operation. It is thanks to the special properties of polycarbonate that many craftsmen are wondering how to make a polycarbonate roof with their own hands. In the material below, we will consider in detail the positive and negative aspects of the coating and master the technology of its installation.

Polycarbonate roofing is a beautiful, light, modern and practical structure. Most often it is used to overlap attic rooms, greenhouses, gazebos, an attached veranda, etc., since such a roof provides maximum natural light. In addition, they prefer to use polycarbonate due to its positive properties:

The strength of the material. Polycarbonate roofs, assembled according to all the rules, have a high bearing capacity. That is, they can withstand sufficient loads in the form of snow and rainwater, which also quickly self-remove. It is worth knowing that all types of roofs are as strong as possible, since polycarbonate has a strength 200 times higher than that of thick glass. Polycarbonate is able to withstand precipitation in the form of hail, as well as withstand mechanical stress of various kinds.
Excellent light transmittance. It is worth knowing here that polycarbonate panels let in 85 to 93% of natural daylight. Against the background of increased strength, this quality becomes one of the predominant ones when installing the roof of both residential and auxiliary premises. At the same time, we note that it is the cellular structure of polycarbonate that is capable of gently scattering sunlight, forming the illumination familiar to the human eye in the room. Therefore, covering the roof with such material is an excellent solution.
Low weight of the coating. To build a polycarbonate roof, the craftsman does not need to put in a lot of effort. So, a monolithic polycarbonate plate will weigh half as much as glass of the same size.
Flexibility. Such a roofing material has increased flexibility, which allows it not to bend even at subzero temperatures. However, it is worth remembering that it is necessary to bend polycarbonate only along the cellular grooves. Otherwise, the internal tension will simply break it. Thanks to the use of polycarbonate roofing, complex curved structures can be installed. Most often, roofs are made from a polycarbonate panel in the form of an arch.
Low thermal conductivity of the material. It should be noted here that a similar advantage is inherent in polycarbonate due to its cellular structure. So, air is collected in the honeycomb cavities of the panels, which is the key to maintaining heat in a room with a polycarbonate roof.
Good soundproofing. It is an additional positive quality of panels in combination with low thermal conductivity. Due to this quality, polycarbonate panels are often used to create soundproof screens.
Environmentally friendly panels. As for the safety of using polycarbonate in residential premises, it is worth noting that this roofing material is produced on the basis of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. All other additives in the form of plasticizers and dyes are not harmful to human health. As a positive example, we can cite the use in the field of medical care of various utensils made of this polymer.
Absolute incombustibility. Unlike other polymers, polycarbonate does not burn. Its ignition temperature reaches 600 ° C, which automatically excludes the possibility of its ignition. Even if a fire suddenly breaks out, everything around will burn out first, but floors and other elements not made of polycarbonate. That is, polycarbonate can even be used as a refractory material. In addition, it should be noted that such a coating is prone to self-extinguishing, which is not unimportant. In the absence of air access to the room, polycarbonate stops combustion.

Important: when melted, polycarbonate does not form fusible hot drops that can injure a person. With strong heating, the panels simply shrink and deform, forming only holes in their structure.

Inertness to aggressive environments. Polycarbonates do not react in any way to fuel, oil and grease. In addition, he is not afraid of weak acid solutions, alcohols and copper sulfate.
Durability of the coating. A roof made of polycarbonate, provided that the panels are correctly installed, can serve up to a quarter of a century (25 years). This frees the owner of the house from regular roof repairs.
Safety for humans. In addition to safe melting, polycarbonate plates are also not prone to crumble into small fragments under strong mechanical stress. In the worst case, such material is simply covered with cracks.
UV resistant. It is worth knowing here that the entire range of polycarbonate varieties is equipped with an upper protective film that gently reflects ultraviolet rays. This means that polycarbonate roof panels do not suffer from negative sunlight. In addition, such a film protection protects from ultraviolet radiation and people who are under the polycarbonate roof.
Ease of installation. In this case, every craftsman should know that it is quite easy to work with polycarbonate panels. The material is fed to drilling, cutting, sawing using a standard jigsaw or grinder.
The optimal size of the panels. Thanks to the dimensions of the polycarbonate panels, it is very convenient to work with this coating. In particular, polycarbonate manufacturers produce slabs with dimensions of 600 x 120 cm and 210 x 1200 cm. Thus, the labor intensity of the work process is significantly reduced.

Disadvantages of polycarbonate coating

Like all other materials, the polymer also has several disadvantages. These are:

The possibility of rendering the panels unusable if the protective coating is damaged. In this case, it is worth noting that if during installation violations of the integrity of the protective coating were found, then over time, dust, soot, and dirt will begin to accumulate in the slabs. Polycarbonate will become cloudy and lose its performance characteristics.
High expansion rate when heated and cooled. In this case, the master must understand that the polycarbonate sheets will expand under the sun, and when exposed to low temperatures, they will shrink. As a result, with illiterate installation and fixing of the plates, polycarbonate can be deformed. To avoid this, it is necessary to leave technical gaps when laying the panels using a special fastening profile.
The susceptibility of polycarbonate to mechanical damage. In particular, this applies to the snow crust covering the polycarbonate roof. That is why it is necessary to clean up the snow that has fallen from the roof in time so that it does not damage the polymer roof during freezing.
Possibility of damage to panels with alkali, concentrated acid or acetone. If there is a risk of using these substances indoors, then it is not recommended to install such a roof.
Excessive reflection of solar radiation. This parameter is positive in extreme heat in summer, but does not play into the hands of the residents of the house in the cold season. That is, a room with a polycarbonate roof will warm up less during the cold season.

Polycarbonate roof installation technology

If you do not know how to make a polycarbonate roof, then the technology below will allow you to do all the work yourself. Moreover, regardless of the type of roof. So, in order to cover the roof with polycarbonate, it is necessary to prepare the following tools and accessories:

Bulgarian or jigsaw;
Special self-tapping screws with polymer sealing washers;
Fixing connecting profiles;
Decorative cover profiles;
End profiles;
Self-adhesive dust-proof tape.

It is necessary to plan the process in such a way that all preparatory work (installation of a frame from a metal profile, cutting of panels) is carried out before the slabs are lifted onto the roof. This will save you time.

Important: during the work, it is forbidden to walk on the fixed plates. Firstly, it is unsafe, and secondly, it can damage the panels.

The installation process will look like this:

The panels are cut to size. In this case, the cutting speed is selected individually, by the method of tests. Slow cuts can cause material to crumble, and too fast to melt along the edge. When cutting panels and profiles for arched floors, it is worth taking into account that the length of the end profile when bent will be slightly larger than the length of the panel. Therefore, it is better to cut the profile with a margin of 15-20 cm. Then, when installing the arched ceiling, we simply cut it.
Now you need to slightly unscrew the protective films at the edges and seal them with a dust-proof film. The ends are closed with end profiles.
Remove the lower protective film from the cut panel. At the same time, the top film with the logo of the manufacturing company has not yet been removed. It is this side of the coating that must face upwards during installation. At the end of the work, it is carefully removed.

Important: when installing an arched roof, it must be remembered that each type of panel has its own minimum degree of cold bending. You can get it from the seller in the store. And for the installation of a pitched roof, it is necessary to take into account that the degree of the slope must be at least 10% or 6 degrees.

When fixing the slabs to the frame, you should be careful and observe the parallel arrangement of the edges of the panels to the roof frame. This will ensure the free convergence of moisture and snow on the roof. In this case, the lower edge of the slab should protrude 20 cm beyond the roof frame. These overhangs will protect the walls of the building from rain. The upper edge of the panel is aligned with the horizontal frame of the structure.
Now we fix a special base profile on the longitudinal roof rafter with special screws. We insert a sheet of polycarbonate into it. The panel is also fixed along the horizontal strip with self-tapping screws. But for them you need to make holes that are several centimeters larger than the section of the fastener. This will be the so-called technical expansion and condensation gap. Up to 5 pieces can be used for one 210 mm wide sheet. fasteners.
After one sheet is mounted, the clamping profile-base is covered with a cover profile. In this case, it is worth making sure that it is securely pressed along its entire length.
Now you need to put on the clamping profile-base from the other edge of the sheet and fix it to the frame by analogy with the first. Then do all the actions by analogy with the previous ones, moving in this way from left to right or vice versa.
At the end of the work, the protective film is removed from the top of the roof. It is not worth tightening with its removal, since when heated in the sun, the film is removed more difficult.

Tip: to make the polycarbonate roof look more organic, when installing the frame, you can weld the longitudinal posts with a step equal to the width of the polymer sheet. As a result, the finished roof will be perfect.

Modern architecture is characterized by new trends, which imply exclusive ideas, unconventional original solutions and styles, the use of new technologies and the use of the latest materials that have unique properties and characteristics. All this is necessary in order to give mankind, sated with urban life, the opportunity to regain at least a part of free communication with nature. That is why today you can see transparent polycarbonate roofs, like those shown in the photo, not only over greenhouses and conservatories, but also, if not over everything, then over part of the premises in cottages and private houses.

Features and requirements for structures

The use of polycarbonate provides endless possibilities and scope for creating masterpieces of architecture. Thanks to this material, it is possible to build roofs of various shapes - two or one-pitched, domed, hip, arched, pyramidal polygonal and others. Moreover, they can be equipped both above heated rooms and above cold ones. Since the main task of a polycarbonate roof is to ensure the flow of natural light into the room, the corresponding requirements are also imposed on it:

the illumination indicator must meet the accepted standards;
a polycarbonate roof made of honeycomb or monolithic sheets must have sound insulation that meets statistical data, as well as heat, hydro and vapor insulation;
protect the work areas from the penetration of too bright sunlight;
ensure constant ventilation of the premises, especially in case of smoke during fires;
be able to remove snow easily and quickly.

Types of structures

By design features, polycarbonate structures are of the following types:

attic windows and lanterns;
buildings that have several elements that allow light to pass through;
structures built on the basis of light-transmitting profile systems. These roofs can be built in any shape - but flat and sliding ones look best.

To illuminate attics, along with traditional vertical windows, you can also use dormer-type windows, which are mounted directly on the roof plane. Lanterns are glazed overhangs or roof openings. They can be glazed with both ordinary glass and polycarbonate.

On a note: For structures consisting of profile systems, any type of polycarbonate roof is suitable.

Manufacturers usually offer already prepared technical solutions for the most demanded types of roofs. If it becomes necessary to create a different design, it is much more difficult - the designers of manufacturing firms can always develop new options.

For system profiles when erecting gable roofs, in addition to the polycarbonate itself, you can use:

for small and medium-sized spans - aluminum is suitable;
for large spans, steel is more acceptable.

The advantages of polycarbonate

The main advantages of polycarbonate products are:

Low specific weight, thanks to which it is possible to design and erect elegant, original lightweight buildings of large dimensions, to increase the width of the spans of structures. In addition, due to the lightness of the material, it becomes possible to embody any design ideas and at the same time not spend a lot of money.
Large bearing capacity.
Transparency and flexibility, which contributes to the ease of manufacturing roof structures of any complexity.
Excellent chemical resistance.
Low flammability.
High thermal insulation qualities.
Impact resistance.
Preservation of mechanical and physical properties at temperatures from -45 to +115 degrees.
The durability of the material, with proper care, it will serve, retaining its qualities for 10-12 years or more.
Large sheet sizes, which is very convenient when working on the installation of large-area structures.

In addition to the listed advantages, polycarbonate easily lends itself to bending, cutting, drilling, and adheres perfectly. If the roof surface is made with a sufficient slope, then the snow will not be able to linger not only on the arched, but even on a flat surface.

The choice of polycarbonate

When constructing roofs, the choice of the right type of material is a matter of paramount importance. There are many types of polycarbonate sheets on the market that differ in color, thickness. The thickness of the sheets ranges from 3 mm to 3.2 cm. Each type is intended for different purposes and in order to make the right choice, you need to know the features of each of them.

So, for roofs that have special requirements, 32 mm material is suitable. On large polycarbonate roofs, 16 mm sheets can be used. Since this type can withstand heavy loads, it can be used in the construction of railway stations, parking lots, gas stations and other similar structures. 10mm sheets are ideal for sports facilities, including swimming pools. For arranging awnings, canopies, glazing balconies, you can use sheets with a thickness of 8 mm, and five millimeter - for awnings. Since greenhouses do not carry a serious load, material only 3.5 mm thick can be taken for them.

Types of polycarbonate

There are several types of this material:

Monolithic. This type is similar to silicate glass - it is void-free, durable and not heavy. The thickness of the sheets ranges from 4 cm to 0.75 mm, has a different surface structure, size and color. Manufacturers also produce multilayer monolithic sheets with a rough surface of the upper layer, the second layer retains UV rays, and the third one retains this entire structure.
Cellular polycarbonate has a honeycomb structure. It looks very nice on domed roofs. This type can be both colored and transparent. It is also perfect for outdoor advertising, interior design, production of partitions, ceilings and other translucent structures.
Sheets with a trapezoidal or corrugated profile are called profiled and are more suitable than others for the arrangement of facades and roofs. They are used to make roofs over greenhouses, conservatories, greenhouses, sheds over parking lots and over gardens to create domed vaults.

Price

The cost of polycarbonate depends on its thickness and dimensions, which can be: A - 6 mx 210 cm, B - 12 mx 210 cm. Prices are approximate, since they may differ slightly for each region.

So, sheets with a thickness of 0.35 cm in size A cost 1250 rubles, B - 2500. Six-millimeter sheets: A color - 2, 65 thousand rubles, transparent - 2, 4, size B - transparent 4, 8 thousand rubles, color 5, 8 thous.

Sheets for roofs made of polycarbonate, 10 mm thick: size A transparent - 3 300 rubles, color - 3 670. B - transparent 6, 7 thousand rubles, color - 7 300 rubles.

A sixteen-millimeter sheet size A will cost: transparent 5,800 rubles, and color - 6,200. Size B - color 12,500, and transparent 11,700 rubles.

The thickest and most durable thirty-two millimeter polycarbonate will cost: transparent sheet A - 9,200 rubles, and color - 10,200. For option B, you will have to pay 18,600 rubles for transparent, and 20,400 for color.

Properties of polycarbonate

Since any roof must meet certain requirements, the material for its device must have the appropriate characteristics. Polycarbonate is just one of those materials that have the desired properties:

transparency of the material, due to which it is possible to provide natural light through the roof, approximately as shown in the photo, for a longer time every day than through the windows;
excellent impact resistance that can withstand even large hail and other falling objects;
shock resistance and absence of chips and fragments in case of possible damage;
low degree of flammability and combustion resistance. In addition, even near an open flame, when the material melts, it does not emit harmful compounds;
good performance in terms of sound and thermal insulation properties;
light weight of the material, due to which polycarbonate panels are easy to deliver to the construction site, just as easy to process, do all the installation work, create fairly light polycarbonate roofs with your own hands, expanding the possibilities of design desires, and all this at a not so high cost;
unique flexibility of the material, allowing you to create various architectural forms of any level of complexity. Moreover, polycarbonate bends well in one direction, and in the opposite direction, it is quite tough. This allows him to withstand any serious stress;
high bearing capacity;
retains all its properties in the temperature range from +125 to - 45 degrees, therefore it will serve the same in the summer heat and at the lowest temperatures in winter;
lends itself to any type of processing: gluing, bending, drilling, cutting, thanks to which the structure will be reliable and durable, the main thing is that the angle of inclination of the flat roof is so sufficient that snow on the surface cannot linger;
relatively low cost;
long service life, which, depending on the quality and thickness of the material, ranges from 7-8 to 25 years.

Design features

It's important to know: In order to give the roof the desired shape, you must first make a base frame, on which the roof surface will then be mounted.

Required tools and materials

The most affordable economical option, but it will last from 5 to 8 years.
The optimal polycarbonate will last a couple of years longer. If you cover the roof with this type of material, you can not think about its repair and other types of maintenance for more than ten years, as it happens on roofs made of other materials.
The service life of elite polycarbonate is slightly longer - 12-15 years.
The longest service life has a premium canvas, it will retain its appearance and properties for more than two decades.

Necessary tools for work:

plane, hammer;
level, or bar;
sealant for filling voids and gaps;
material for making a frame and subsequent laying of a polycarbonate roof with your own hands;
tape for end-face processing;
jigsaw, screwdriver, hacksaw;
fasteners. Usually these are self-tapping screws with thermal washers.

DIY installation

The construction of a roof, like any other structure, begins with drawing up a project or drawing, according to which the amount of material required for work is calculated.

Installation of rafters

Profile attachment

The collapsible profile is attached in several stages - first the lower element, and then, the panels are installed, and after them the upper element of the profile.

On a note: For the installation of a non-separable profile, additional preparations are not carried out: the polycarbonate lies on the finished frame and is fixed by a point technique, or by fixing profiles.

Cutting polycarbonate

Drilling polycarbonate

When performing installation work using self-tapping screws, before screwing them in, you need to make holes, the diameter of which should be 2-3 mm larger than the diameter of the fastener.

Good to know: For the job, it is best to use a drill designed for non-ferrous metal.

How to properly lay polycarbonate on a canopy - clear instructions. Roofing polycarbonate Is it possible to cover the roof with polycarbonate

Properties of polycarbonate

Design features

Required tools and materials

DIY installation

We build a shed polycarbonate roof: analysis of the nuances and subtleties of construction technology

Pros and cons of polycarbonate as a roofing material

Types of modern roofing polycarbonate

Choice of thickness of roofing sheets

What kind of rafter system is needed?

How to choose fasteners and profiles

Secrets and subtleties of technology from the pros

DIY polycarbonate roof

Types of polycarbonate

Material specifications

Dignity

disadvantages

Types of polycarbonate

An example of installing a polycarbonate roof

Rafter system

Fixing sheets

Sealing

Disadvantages of polycarbonate coating

Polycarbonate roof installation technology

Features and requirements for structures

Types of structures

The advantages of polycarbonate

The choice of polycarbonate

Types of polycarbonate

Price

Properties of polycarbonate

Design features

Required tools and materials

DIY installation

Installation of rafters

Profile attachment

Cutting polycarbonate

Drilling polycarbonate

Roof installation video