Polycarbonate For The Roof And Its Types With A Description, Characteristics And Features Of Installation And Operation

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Polycarbonate for the roof - stylish, light and comfortable

The development of new technologies and the emergence of modern building materials gave impetus to significant changes in architecture, which even affected such a conservative construction site as the roof. The traditional roofing materials have been replaced by new, unusual and unusual, but perfectly reflecting the fashionable design trend in the arrangement of housing today - unity with nature. One of such roofing coverings - light-transmitting polycarbonate - will be discussed.

Content

• 1 Polycarbonate and its types

  • 1.1 Performance properties of polycarbonate

    1.1.1 Table: Comparison of the Properties of Polycarbonate with Other Materials

  • 1.2 Video: DIY polycarbonate house

  • 1.3 Monolithic polycarbonate

    • 1.3.1 Table: Properties of solid polycarbonate
    • 1.3.2 Video: Solid Polycarbonate - Strength Test

  • 1.4 Corrugated polycarbonate

    1.4.1 Video: profiled monolithic polycarbonate

  • 1.5 Cellular polycarbonate

    1.5.1 Video: choosing the thickness and density of polycarbonate

• 2 Polycarbonate for roofing: which one to choose

  2.1 Video: how to choose a good polycarbonate

• 3 Features of installation

  3.1 Video: rules for installing cellular polycarbonate

• 4 Lifetime polycarbonate roof

  4.1 Video: changing the polycarbonate on the roof

• 5 User Reviews

Polycarbonate and its types

The main task of polycarbonate in the form of roofing is to make the house brighter, to provide as much natural light as possible in the interior. Based on this, a number of requirements are imposed on polycarbonate roofs. They must:

• have a statically strong structure;
• to provide standard indicators of illumination;
• protect from direct sunlight and ultraviolet radiation;
• give the opportunity to freely remove snow.

In addition to roofs, polycarbonate in private housing construction is used to shelter gazebos, greenhouses, verandas, sheds, canopies, parapets, attics and facades, as well as for facing balconies and loggias. This beautiful plastic material has amazing qualities and allows you to create truly mesmerizing architectural structures.

An open veranda covered with a polycarbonate roof beautifully complements the architectural ensemble of the suburban area

Performance properties of polycarbonate

1. High impact strength - withstands bullet hits, which is inherent in a very small number of materials. Under strong mechanical stress, polycarbonate deforms, gives cracks, but does not fly apart into fragments.
2. Low flammability index - at a critically high temperature, this material melts and flows down in the form of fibrous filaments.
3. Low specific weight (1.5–3.5 kg / m²) and excellent load-bearing capacity, which is determined by the sheet thickness.
4. High light transmittance - from 85 to 96% and the ability to filter out ultraviolet rays.
5. Good noise and heat insulation properties, as well as the absence of electric current conductivity.
6. Frost resistance and durability - service life over 30 years.

Table: comparison of the properties of polycarbonate with other materials

Properties	Cellular PC	Monolithic PC	Glass	PMMA	Pvc	PET-G	PS	OOPS
Weight, kg / m 2	0.8	4.8	9.4	4.77	5.5	5.08	4.2	4.2
Minimum bending radius, R min., m	0.7	0.6	-	1.32	1.0	0.6	-	-
Heat transfer coefficient, W t / m 2 x OS	3.8-4.1	5.3	5.8	5.45		5.3
Vicat heat resistance, ° C	-	145	600	90-105	70-75	82	98	94-97
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, K (1 • 10 -5)	6.5	6.5	0.9	7	7-9	6.8	8	8-10
Sound insulation, dB	15-16	27	thirty	26				-
Impact resistance according to Gardner (J)	> 27	> 400	-	0.5				<15
Charpy impact strength of a sample without notching, kJ / m 2	18.4	Without destruction	-	10-12	Without destruction	Without destruction	5-6	60
Impact strength Charpy notched specimen, kJ / m 2		More than 35-40	-	2	2	ten	2	8-10
Light transmission coefficient,%	80–88	91	84-87	92	87-88	88-90	90	90

But like any other material, polycarbonate has its drawbacks, which must be paid attention to when using it:

1. Susceptibility to thermal expansion. For polycarbonate, it is much larger than for materials of supporting structures, which must be taken into account when designing.
2. The likelihood of mechanical damage. Before the end of installation, it is undesirable to remove the protective polyethylene coating from the surface of the sheets.

Video: DIY polycarbonate house

Monolithic polycarbonate

Durable (monolithic) polycarbonate resembles silicate glass in appearance and is a continuous polymer sheet without any voids.

Monolithic polycarbonate boards with double UV protection are widely used in the private, industrial and agricultural sectors

A similar polymer is made by synthesizing phenol and carbonic acid, which makes it easier and more practical to use in comparison with the same glass. Monolithic polycarbonate sheets are easily cut and bent. This allows it to be used in arched, domed and radically broken structures.

In addition to the properties listed above, characteristic of all types of polycarbonate, the monolithic material has:

• the ability to self-extinguish - melts only in the flame of another source - and colossal strength;
• high light transmission power - up to 96%;
• a wider temperature range at which it retains its operational properties - from -100 to +145 ° C;
• the presence of a protective film on both sides of the sheet, which makes it more resistant to breakage;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes, hail, squall wind, thunder and lightning, rain and snow;
• resistance to acids, oils, detergents, making it easy to clean;
• excellent thermal insulation properties, allowing you to reduce spending not only on lighting, but also on heating.

Monolithic polycarbonate is distinguished by the thickness of the plates from 2 to 25 mm, color, size, weight per 1 m² and modifying additives. For example, PK-1 is a high-viscosity material, PK-2 is medium, PK-3 is of low viscosity. PU-4 has good thermal stability, PK-M-1 has minimal friction, and PK-LTS-30 is a material with quartz filler.

Monolithic polycarbonate is available in a large number of colors, so it will not be difficult to choose a coating to match the main finishing material of the building

Table: properties of monolithic polycarbonate

Light-transmitting coating thickness, mm	8	ten	16	20
Bending radius, m	1.4	1.75	2.8	3.7
Working temperature, o C	-40 … +100
Impact resistance, J	2.2	2.5	3.7
Sound insulation, dB	18	19	21	22
Linear expansion coefficient, mm / (m * ° С)	0.065
Heat transfer coefficient, W / (m 2 * ° С)	3.4	3.1	2.5	2.0
Thermal conductivity, W / (m * ° С)	0.21
Flammability group	G2 - moderately flammable
Flammability group	В1 - hardly flammable
Flame spread group	RP1 - flame retardant

When choosing, it is important to take into account not only the brand of polycarbonate, but also the thickness of the material, depending on the purpose of the monolithic panels

1. Small sheets (up to 8 mm) are suitable for billboards, signage, greenhouses, etc.

2. For small architectural structures - fences, verandas, awnings, swimming pools - panels with a thickness of 8-16 mm will be required.

   

   The fence of a private house can be built from monolithic polycarbonate plates 8 mm thick

3. For arranging transparent roofs, facades, gables and those objects where good thermal insulation is needed (winter garden), sheets with a thickness of 20 mm or more are required.

   

   In the original house in Germany, 20 mm thick polycarbonate sheets were used in the construction of the facade and the installation of transparent inserts on the roof.

Video: solid polycarbonate - strength test

Corrugated polycarbonate

Wavy polycarbonate is a subspecies of a holistic one with a corrugated wavy surface, therefore it has the same properties as monolithic, but more interesting in appearance.

Wavy and trapezoidal polycarbonate plates are available, which differ from each other in the shape of the fracture

The main qualities of corrugated polycarbonate:

• ease of processing - it is well cut and drilled, therefore it is convenient and safe to work with it;
• strength and heat resistance;
• simplicity of maintenance and installation - fits with an overlap of 1-2 waves without any additional layout elements, while the same high light transmittance remains in the overlap areas;
• durability when used in different climatic conditions.

Due to its ability to repel ultraviolet light, it is actively used in regions with hot climates. And due to its high strength and bearing capacity (1 m² can withstand a load of up to 350 kg), it is used as a roof covering even in areas with severe winters and large volumes of snow.

Corrugated polycarbonate withstands a high specific load, therefore it is used as a roof covering even in regions with high snow activity

A type of profiled polycarbonate are plates with trapezoidal surface fractures. They have the same qualities as wavy, they simply differ in appearance, one might say, they are more strict. Well, that's someone who likes it.

Video: profiled monolithic polycarbonate

Cellular polycarbonate

Cellular polycarbonate got its name due to its structure - the presence of voids that are of great importance:

• they increase the thermal insulation performance of honeycomb boards;
• when connecting sheets, additional stiffening ribs are obtained.

Its main advantage is its low specific weight and ease of installation, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of construction work.

Honeycomb slabs proved to be good for the manufacture of advertising installations, canopies, fences, sheds, swimming pools, for the construction of farms and glazing of balconies. But since in terms of light transmission (86%), heat resistance (up to -40 ° C) and strength it is inferior to monolithic material, cellular polycarbonate is used less often for arranging the roof and transparent facades of residential buildings.

The operational properties and scope of cellular polycarbonate depend on the thickness of the sheets and the density - the thinnest ones are suitable for light buildings, and in areas of strong winds and for objects of more complex structures, panels of 16 mm and higher will be needed that can withstand serious loads.

Cellular polycarbonate up to 10 mm thick is used to cover greenhouses and light buildings, for more complex cases, panels up to 50 mm thick are produced

Honeycomb plates also differ in color, but such a difference is rather decorative, since it does not affect the quality of the material. You can find bronze, red, blue, yellow, green and completely transparent sheets. The choice depends on the preferences of the consumer.

The cost of cellular polycarbonate is determined by the quality class - economy class, standard and premium. This classification is rather arbitrary and depends on:

• the cost of raw materials used in the production of honeycomb plates - primary or secondary;
• the number of connected sheets - single-chamber (2 sheets + a row of jumpers), two-chamber (3 sheets + 2 chain of jumpers), reinforced and four-chamber with five sheets and four lines of diagonal jumpers - the thickness of such a plate is 25 mm;
• the presence of a protective layer, which must be taken into account when choosing.

Video: choosing the thickness and density of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate for roofing: which one to choose

First, decide on a supplier. Buy goods from trusted, trustworthy manufacturers, since there are now many of them - both domestic and foreign. Belarusian plant "TitanPlast", enterprise "Plastilux-Group" (Belgorod), Polygal (Israel), Macrolon (Germany). Trademark HaiGao, Borrex and Arabic Sabic. The choice is huge.

1. Read carefully the characteristics of the material and its composition to distinguish genuine products from fakes. Feel free to ask the seller questions.

   

   High-quality polycarbonate is always made only from primary raw materials and has the manufacturer's trademark on a protective film

2. Choose material based on your needs, not what is in stock.
3. Complete the order completely - sealing washers, end profile, bands for ends, etc. Installation, of course, you can do without it, but the quality will suffer - possible leaks after rain in the attachment points certainly will not please.
4. Think in advance for what purposes polycarbonate is needed, a suitable color and appearance - profiled or smooth. What panel thickness is needed. Do not make the mistake of choosing, for example, thin sheets for the roof in the hope of saving money. In this case, you will have to take a more frequent step of the lathing, acquire additional profiles, which will make the entire structure heavier. And how much it will be comparable to the bearing capacity of the walls and foundation is a big question. But it is also wrong to choose the thickest plates in a panic. Polycarbonate material is selected taking into account the design features and the area of the frame, as well as the loads acting on the roof.

As for aesthetics, this is not an obligatory aspect, but nevertheless, if a wooden house is being restored, then transparent polycarbonate on the renovated wooden truss system will be in place. But when the building is stylized for high-tech or minimalism, then you have to choose the color of the sheets so that they are in harmony with the facade cladding and muffle the visibility of the wooden rafters.

In general, the choice of material must be approached carefully in order to obtain the desired result in full. You cannot buy happiness, says folk wisdom, but you can build a beautiful, bright house in which residents will be cozy and comfortable. And this is practically the same thing.

Video: how to choose a good polycarbonate

Installation features

Installation of polycarbonate is not very difficult, and the simplest tools will be required:

• construction knife with a retractable blade;
• screwdriver;
• electric drill;
• a circular saw.

But there are certain rules that must be followed in order for such an extravagant design to serve for many years.

1. You need to store sheets in a film and in a horizontal position. The storage area must be dry, out of direct sunlight. Walking on the sheets is prohibited.

2. The distance between battens, rafters and the minimum bending radius (in the case of an arched frame) depends on the thickness of the sheets and the expected load.

   

   The minimum bending radius of a polycarbonate sheet depends on its thickness and density and is strictly regulated by the manufacturer

3. You can cut the sheets with construction scissors or a grinder (with a thickness of over 8 mm). The protective film is removed only before fastening.
4. You need to bend the sheets along the stiffeners.
5. Polycarbonate should be fastened every 30–40 cm on bolts and self-tapping screws with a corrosion-resistant coating and thermal washers, without overtightening them.
6. To connect the sheets, it is better to use aluminum or plastic profiles in such a way that each sheet goes into the profile by at least 20 mm, but not close, leaving 5 mm of free space for narrowing and expanding the polycarbonate.
7. The open ends of the plates must be covered with an aluminum tape (solid at the top, perforated at the bottom) to protect the cells from moisture, debris and dust and to ensure the escape of condensation.
8. When creating arched structures, you cannot change the bending radius provided by the manufacturer. This will damage the protective layer and rapidly degrade the coating.
9. It is recommended to seal the joints with a neutral sealant (no acrylic).

The requirements are simple, and if they are observed, it will not be difficult to mount polycarbonate on your own on the roof, facade, greenhouse, shed, etc.

The transparent insert in the roof or wall allows enough light to pass through, therefore, it saves on lighting at home

Video: rules for installing cellular polycarbonate

Polycarbonate roof life

Many manufacturers guarantee the service life of polycarbonate for at least 10 years. But in fact, it can be much longer, if you do not violate the order of handling this material:

• comply with the conditions of transportation and storage of polycarbonate sheets;
• strictly adhere to the installation technology;
• ensure the frequency of inspection and maintenance of the roof.

And do not forget about the correct choice of material, especially its thickness, which plays a key role. You cannot rely on the long service life of a polycarbonate roof if, in order to reduce construction costs, it is covered with slabs of an unsuitable thickness for this purpose.

Video: changing the polycarbonate on the roof

User reviews

In this article, we talked about an amazing modern material - polycarbonate. Knowing now the rules for working with it and using your imagination, you can easily equip yourself the most original roof you want. And it will delight your loved ones and surprise your neighbors for many years. Good luck to you.