Polycarbonate roof with own hands

Polycarbonate is a modern material, often used in construction for erecting partitions, walls, hinged and decorative elements. Polycarbonate was also widely used as a roofing. From it erect roofs of houses, arbors, open terraces, awnings and canopies over the entrance. The roof made of polycarbonate makes it possible to realize the most daring ideas thanks to the peculiarities of this material.

The advantages of polycarbonate include:

• Light weight with high mechanical strength;
• Ability to transmit light;
• A wide range of shades and colors;
• Original and elegant appearance;
• Easy to install and process;
• Polycarbonate does not rust, does not deteriorate under the influence of chemistry and microorganisms, is resistant to temperature changes, provided it is properly installed.

There are disadvantages in polycarbonate. One of them is the 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 the completion of all work. Another feature of polycarbonate, which should be treated carefully - is a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Mounting polycarbonate is necessary with the use of special screws through pre-drilled holes of a larger diameter. Otherwise, if the temperature is changed, deformation of the material is possible.

Types of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is divided into monolithic and cellular. Monolithic polycarbonate has high strength and has a standard thickness of 2 to 12 mm. The dimensions of the sheet of monolithic polycarbonate are 2.05x3.05 meters. The area of ​​its application - roofs of various configurations, experiencing great snow and wind load. Monolithic polycarbonate with a thickness of 12 mm is considered anti-vandal and is able to withstand a hammer blow without any damage.

Cellular polycarbonate has a significantly lower weight due to the cellular structure: the sheet is two or more thin sheets of polycarbonate joined by stiffeners along the entire length of the sheet. This material structure allows to obtain high mechanical strength at low weight. Of honeycomb polycarbonate, arch constructions, domed roofs and other complex elements are made. Cellular polycarbonate can be both transparent and matte, has a wide range of shades. The standard thickness is from 4 to 32 mm, the sheet dimensions are 2.1 x 6.1 or 2.1 x 12.1 meters.

Materials for carcass construction

The roof frame made of polycarbonate can be made of various materials. The decisive factor in the choice is the basic style of the building and the expected weight of the structure, taking into account the snow load. In wooden structures, when a straight roof is used, a rafter system of wooden blocks or boards is used, on which the transverse crate and sheets of polycarbonate are laid. This design fits perfectly into the overall style and gives the structure lightness, volume and light.

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

The polycarbonate is attached to the profile using special screws with a sealing washer. The sheet joints are connected by means of an H-shaped profile for polycarbonate.

Direct polycarbonate roof:

execution technology A straight polycarbonate roof is usually used for the construction of open terraces, arbors, small garden houses. The choice of polycarbonate as a roofing coating allows you to get natural light, create a sense of lightness and open space. At the same time, such a roof can not be properly insulated without losing its transparency, therefore it is of little use for buildings used in winter.

1. Straight polycarbonate roof can be of any design: single-sided, gable or hip. From the type of roof depends on the rafter system. Rafters for such a light material as polycarbonate can be made from a board thickness of 40 mm. The wood is treated with an antiseptic and flame retardant solutions, if desired, you can give it a certain shade.
2. The spacing between the rafters should 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 are on the rafters. Transverse lathing is performed from blocks 50x20 mm, cutting them into the rafters laid on the end.
   

   Straight polycarbonate roof

3. Carry out the cutting of polycarbonate so that the longitudinal ribs of the sheet are aligned with the direction of the ramp. This will facilitate the removal of condensate from the inside of the roof. During installation, it is also necessary to observe the orientation of the material and place it outward with the side on which UV protection is located, it can be distinguished by a protective film or labeled on it.
4. Attach polycarbonate to the tree using special screws with a sealing washer. To do this, in the polycarbonate sheet mark and drill holes with a diameter of 2 mm larger than the diameter of the screw, and then screw it, ensuring a tight fit of the washer without deformation of the material. Joints are fixed by means of connecting detachable profiles, while the screw is screwed into the lower part of the profile, polycarbonate sheets are inserted into it and covered with the upper part of the profile.
   

   Installation of polycarbonate

5. The ends of polycarbonate sheets are protected from moisture by means of a sealing tape and an end profile, otherwise condensation will form inside the material and the polycarbonate will lose its transparency.
6. The ridge is made of a ridge profile. All elements for better sealing are treated with a transparent hermetic for outdoor work.

Arched roof of polycarbonate

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

1. The arch structure of the arch is arched. In order to make an arc of a metal profile, you need to cut it at regular intervals with metal scissors on both sides. The more such incisions, the smaller the radius of the arc can be performed, but remember that the polycarbonate has a minimum allowable bend radius, which is not recommended to be reduced. When folded, the sides must remain inside the arc.
2. Bending from the profile of one arc, it tries on the place of installation, aligned if necessary and fixes to it the stiffeners. After this, the arc is used as a template for executing the remaining arcs.
3. Polycarbonate is attached to the metal profile in the same way as to the wood, using self-tapping screws with a sealing thermowell. Joints and ends are processed using the same technology.