The plastic material polycarbonate has been designed for both residential and commercial roofing, and a variety of fittings and systems are available to support it.
Polycarbonate roofing is something you probably see daily. Due to the strength and durability of the material, it is typically used for outdoor constructions like greenhouses, patio covers, and conservatories (it is 250 times stronger than glass).
Due to their affordability, lightweight, and ease of use/installation, twin and multiwall polycarbonate are the most popular plastic roofing materials. We think of polycarbonate as a DIY-friendly material, so we’ll give you a step-by-step tutorial for installing polycarbonate roof panels in this blog!
We can shape-cut polycarbonate to any size or shape and other polymers, including acrylic (perspex). For example, polycarbonate may be cut into triangle shapes, making it perfect for gable end roofs, lean-to roofs (usually a roof with a single slope), Edwardian and Georgian roofs, and canopies. A roof is often the triangular piece of a wall between the borders of a sloping roof.
What Is Twinwall and Multiwall Polycarbonate?
Simply put, polycarbonate is referred to as twin-wall polycarbonate when it has two layers and as multiwall polycarbonate when it has three or more.
The lightweight, practically unbreakable strength and layering system of polycarbonate make this material so well-liked. Polycarbonate offers more insulation than the more layers it has. The material’s insulating qualities are a common reason why people choose it. Another draw for someone considering a roofing job is the likelihood that one person may complete the installation due to how light and manageable it is.
The glazing of roofs, conservatories, carports, porches, lean-tos, orangeries, swimming pool roofs, and greenhouses can all be accomplished with multiwall polycarbonate. It differs from all other materials. Some advantages are as follows:
- Twinwall/multiwall is safe: It is considerably lighter and up to 250 times stronger than glass. Polycarbonates with twin walls and multiple walls have exceptional impact resistance. Our twinwall and multiwall are indeed resistant to bomb blasts! It is a secure option for the home and public spaces because it is practically impenetrable.
- Twinwall/multiwall insulates brilliantly: Twinwall polycarbonate consists of two thin polycarbonate sheets divided vertically, whereas multiwall polycarbonate comprises at least three thin polycarbonate sheets divided vertically. The number of dividing sheets in a multiwall increase with its thickness. This polycarbonate has a fluted appearance and structure thanks to the dividing sheets. Heat cannot escape because the flutes are filled with trapped air. Generally speaking, the light transmission increases with twinwall/multiwall thickness, whereas insulation increases with multiwall thickness.
- Twinwall/multiwall provides UV protection: With high levels of visibility, our twinwall and multiwall polycarbonate virtually completely block dangerous UV light.
- Twinwall/multiwall is easy to use: Our twinwall and multiwall polycarbonates provide remarkable levels of visibility while virtually completely blocking harmful UV rays.
- Twinwall/multiwall is low maintenance: Warm water and dish soap make cleaning easy.
- Twinwall and multiwall offer a far finer and more durable surface than corrugated sheets and are quicker and easier to install than typical glazing.
- Polycarbonate is cheap Polycarbonate is frequently the most economical material you can use for extremely large projects, like conservatories.
Climate Control
Homeowners frequently struggle with how to keep their conservatories, summer rooms, and orangeries cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Polycarbonate roofing can offer a fantastic option when used in conjunction with reflective insulation. This insulation keeps your room cooler by reflecting the heat from the sun off of polycarbonate roofs and back outside. You can buy pre-insulated polycarbonate roof panels, or you can buy insulation separately and install it to polycarbonate yourself.
Climate sensor multiwall polycarbonate is another option if you have a room with a glass or plastic roof that becomes too hot in the summer and too chilly in the winter. This specific multiwall polycarbonate will decrease the temperature in your room. It functions by preventing more than 80% of the solar radiation from the sun from entering a roof, causing internal room temperatures to drop by up to 40 degrees. The other benefit is that your same space will feel warmer in the winter.
In contrast to the opal effect of many other heat-reflective sheets. It still offers the same advantages in strength and safety as standard multiwall polycarbonate.
Choosing The Right Thickness For A Polycarbonate Roof
While multiwall polycarbonate and twin-wall polycarbonate share the same characteristics, they provide varying degrees of insulation. The simple rule to remember is that the polycarbonate offers more insulation the more layers there are. As a result, the price also increases with the number of layers.
•4mm polycarbonate for the greenhouse, cold frames and sheds
•10mm polycarbonate for carports, pergolas and sheds
•25mm and 35mm polycarbonate for conservatory roofs
Polycarbonate roof sheet installation
The polycarbonate sheets will fit using glazing bars, assuming you’re utilising them for a conservatory or carport roof. In reality, polycarbonate sheets are never fastened to anything; instead, they ‘clip in’ to a glazing system for a quick and straightforward installation.
Typically, glazing systems are made of PVC or aluminium bars with a top and bottom section. In the middle of your roof joists, screw the bottom pieces of your glazing bars. Lay your polycarbonate sheets in between them after having them trimmed to fit. Once the polycarbonate sheets are in place, the top parts of the glazing bar clip on, thereby “capping” the connection and retaining the sheets in place while allowing for expansion in hot weather and contraction in cold weather.
You’ll need a sealant while installing your polycarbonate roof to fasten capping bars to the bottom edge of your roof. Select a sealer that won’t harden and is secure to use with polycarbonate and plastic. Other sealants could cause your polycarbonate to fracture, lose its color, or become brittle.
Position the sheets on your multiwall so that the channels run vertically, allowing any condensation—if any—to drain. To make the greatest use of the material, twin-wall or multi-wall polycarbonate sheets can be sliced.
Your polycarbonate sheets ought to be delivered with a covering film on them. Till the sheet is fitted, this should remain in place. The top and bottom end will also be capped when the sheet is complete. Try to maintain the top end-capping when cutting the sheet; tape the cut end with some perforated self-adhesive tape. Using your non-hardening sealant, you can finally attach a plastic cover bead over the tape to cap the end.
One more reminder: prevent moisture from getting inside your polycarbonate’s flutes. Choose a dry location to store polycarbonate if you’re doing so before usage (not outside or on wet grass).
Please let us know if Alpha Builders may be of any assistance to you; see our website for additional details!