Relatively recently on construction market there was an affordable translucent, flexible and durable roof polycarbonate. With its help, you can equip light, seemingly weightless, roofing structures of various shapes.

Roofs made of polycarbonate panels are erected on gazebos, greenhouses, winter gardens, sheds, transport stops and other infrastructure facilities. This roofing material combines many advantages, including low price, long service life, decorative potential. Home craftsmen will useful information how to make a polycarbonate roof with your own hands.

Types of polycarbonate for roofing and characteristics

Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic plastic made using carbonic acid and bisphenol. The roof, equipped with its use, is distinguished by increased impact resistance, a high degree of light transmission, reaching 92%, and a decent appearance.

Manufacturers offer two types of polycarbonate:

1. Monolithic. This material outwardly resembles silicate glass, it is smooth and transparent. At the same time, the load-bearing qualities and impact resistance of monolithic polycarbonate for the roof are in many respects higher than that of glass coatings. Since its flexibility is less than that of the honeycomb type of this product, it is used to create pitched and flat roofs.
2. Cellular... The structure of such polycarbonate is characterized by the presence of many cells that are filled with air. The degree of translucency of the honeycomb material is less than that of the monolithic type. This plastic bends well, retains heat perfectly, and therefore it is used in the construction and glazing of greenhouses and winter gardens. It is used in the construction of roofs figured design, including arched, domed and many others.

A polycarbonate roof throughout the entire service life is in contact with ultraviolet rays, which have the most unfavorable effect on the condition of the material, which leads to its premature wear. In order for the roof to last longer, the craftsmen install special plastic that is not affected by ultraviolet radiation.

Advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate roof sheet

Due to the presence of good technical and operational qualities of polycarbonate, this material began to displace fragile glass and plexiglass, which becomes cloudy over time, from the construction market.

According to professionals, its advantages are as follows:

1. Thermoplastic roofing has a high load-bearing capacity, it is impact-resistant and lightweight. To install a polycarbonate roof with your own hands, you do not need to build a massive frame and pour a solid foundation.
2. Material, especially of a honeycomb type, bends without problems, and this circumstance allows you to equip complex curly roofing structures without using special equipment and tools.
3. Many are interested in how to cut polycarbonate at home. Plastic is easy to process, it can be cut with a special knife or circular saw and glued if necessary. It is only important to know how to glue the polycarbonate so that the connection is durable.
4. Polycarbonate has sound and heat insulating properties, does not allow water to pass through.
5. The material has a long service life, it is wear-resistant and does not require special care.

The main disadvantage of polycarbonate plastic is the presence of thermal expansion. At high temperatures, this material increases in size and therefore during construction, fasteners must be tightened so that gaps remain.

Features of the roofing structure

A polycarbonate roof for a home consists of two main elements:

• support frame made of metal profiles or wooden bars;
• roofing material - it is laid on a crate, mounted perpendicular to the legs of the rafters. At the same time, the lathing for polycarbonate must be made in accordance with all the rules and requirements.

Roofs made of polycarbonate sheets are:

1. Flat... These are structures that have one plane with a slope of no more than 1-2 degrees. There is a large snow load on them, so the thickness of monolithic polycarbonate for a flat roof should be at least 8-10 millimeters.
2. Pitched... A roof structure can be made from transparent plastic from one or more slopes with a slope of up to 40 degrees. A light weight and convenient handling make it easier to build rafter system.
3. Arched... Cellular polycarbonate is considered one of the best materials for creating buildings. arched type... Roofs with any shape of bending on a metal frame can be made without much difficulty due to the flexibility of this coating.
4. Dome... For such structures, use cellular polycarbonate because it is flexible. But arranging a dome-shaped roof will require precise calculations and careful fitting.

Professionals advise using metal frames made of steel or aluminum when constructing polycarbonate roofs, since in this case the operational periods of the roofing and the base material coincide. When attaching polycarbonate to wooden structure, it is necessary to treat the bars with an antiseptic composition.

How to make a plastic roof with your own hands

You can build a polycarbonate roof on your own, for example, for a carport, for a gazebo in the garden or a canopy over a pool. In order for a transparent roof covering to be reliable and durable, the thickness of the polycarbonate for the roof must be correctly selected. The easiest way is to use finished project with all the necessary calculations already available in order to avoid errors in the process of cutting and installing the structure.

Collect such a roof in the following sequence:

1. At the initial stage, a frame is assembled from wooden or metal elements. For this, a profile, bars or corners with a thickness of at least 4-5 centimeters are suitable. Since the width of a standard polycarbonate sheet on the roof is 2100 millimeters, the rafters are mounted so that they can support the joint between adjacent plates. They are nailed to the rafters in increments of 40-50 centimeters.
2. The material is cut into sheets with a circular saw with fine teeth the right size and fixed on the frame. When settling in pitched roof, the stiffening ribs of the plastic are placed along the slope.
3. The first sheet is laid with a protrusion outside the roof by 3-5 millimeters. The end of the material is sealed with tape or a special profile is put on it.
4. Along the rafters with a step of 30-40 centimeters, holes are made in polycarbonate using a drill, the diameter of which exceeds this parameter for self-tapping screws by 3-4 millimeters.
5. The roofing material is attached to the frame with galvanized self-tapping screws with thermal washers, which will protect the plastic from cracking. In order to compensate for thermal expansion, the fixing elements are twisted with a gap of 2-3 millimeters.
6. To connect the sheets, special connecting strips are used - they are attached to the rafters with self-tapping screws.

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, dropped 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 is not superfluous.

Properties of polycarbonate

Since any roof must meet certain requirements, the material for its construction 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 lighting 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, it is 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 any level of complexity. Moreover, polycarbonate bends perfectly in one direction, but 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, in summer heat and at the most low temperatures in winter it will serve the same;
• 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 by yourself different shapes: flat, but with such an angle of inclination that rainwater could 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: 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 aluminum profiles 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 original roof as if hovering over the building.

Required tools and materials

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

1. The most affordable economical option, but it will last from 5 to 8 years.
2. 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.
3. The service life of elite polycarbonate is slightly longer - 12-15 years.
4. Most long term 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 their thermal resistance indicators.

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 cross 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, in order 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. Knowledge of these subtleties will help to 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 profile element.

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 needs to be placed in honeycombs only vertically, if laid 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, work cutting tool, and it 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 operation, it is impossible to allow polycarbonate to vibrate, from this microcracks can form.

Drilling polycarbonate

While doing installation works 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 removed earlier, debris or even very small plastic particles can enter the interior of the hollow channels, which will then need to be removed, or compressed air, or shake out the sheets themselves, which, given their size, is quite problematic.

Roof installation video

Nowadays, polycarbonate roofs are relevant for the house, attic, terrace, gazebo. All kinds of decorative elements, awnings, windows, and even entire pavilions.

Since the use of the material is very diverse, then within the framework of one article it is worth deciding what kind of polycarbonate will be discussed.

In this article

Types of polycarbonate

Monolithic polycarbonate. It comes in a flat or corrugated version. Outwardly, it is very similar to silicate glass, but it is highly durable and lightweight. Smart, unusual, and at the same time practical material for the roof! But for now, this plastic is quite expensive.

For independent device roofs of terraces, gazebos and much more, cellular polycarbonate is ideal. It is a cellular material consisting of two or more thin layers connected under different angles stiffening ribs. In addition to its affordable price, it has another advantage, which is important precisely for roofing material. It is the ability to scatter direct sunlight. Thus, the polycarbonate roof for the terrace becomes not only luminous, light, aesthetic, but also very comfortable, because the scorching effect is gone.

Advantages of cellular polycarbonate:

• light weight
• temperature regime- from +120 to - 40 ºС
• good fire performance
• elasticity - easy to make arches
• service life at correct installation- up to 20 years
• high thermal insulation properties
• immunity to chemical influences
• wide decorative possibilities in shape, color

Disadvantages:

• Significant thermal expansion (compensated for by correct installation).
• The material itself is not UV resistant. In production, one side of the sheet is duplicated with a protective layer, which cannot be damaged. Installation is carried out together with a protective film, which is removed immediately after installation.

The right choice of material

Standard sheet sizes are 2.1 x 6.1 m or 2.1 x 12.1 m.

Application depending on thickness:

• 4-6 mm is the thinnest and most fragile material. Used to close greenhouses, greenhouses, small transparent inserts;
• 6-8 mm - awnings, polycarbonate roof for the gazebo, small outbuildings, etc.;
• 10 mm - vertical covering with good sound insulation
• 16 - 32 mm - used in case of increased load on the roof

The thicker the sheet, the higher its density, stiffness and less flexibility.

How to distinguish high quality roof polycarbonate when buying?

• Perfectly smooth surface without bubbles, foreign inclusions and other defects.
• Sheet weight is standardized by manufacturers. 1 sq. m should weigh:

o 4 mm sheet - 0.8 kg;
o sheet 6 mm - 1.3 kg;
o 8 mm - 1.5 kg;
o 10 mm - 1.6 kg;
o 16 mm - 2.7 kg.

• Polycarbonate marked "light" is a marketing ploy of some manufacturers. Such material where the thickness or height of the partitions is reduced. Of course, it is unreliable under atmospheric stress. It should be borne in mind that due to the certain complexity of identifying such discrepancies by eye, unscrupulous sellers may try to sell it instead of the standard one.
• The presence of a protective UV layer and its thickness. Without such protection, the roofing material will lose its properties very quickly. With a layer thickness of 60 microns, the service life of polycarbonate is 10 years. You can determine the thickness by the certificate.

Conventionally, the quality of the cellular material can be divided into:

• "Premium" - service life 20 years;
• The "elite" will serve for about 12 years;
• "Optimum" - 10 years;
• "Economical" - works for 5-8 years.

Connecting and fastening elements

A polycarbonate roof is mounted using special profiles, fasteners, protective tapes, and sealant.

Polycarbonate expands when heated. The increase in leaf size in direct sunlight can be up to 0.3%. In order to give the material the necessary "freedom of movement", when mounting, the sheets are inserted into the connecting profile not end-to-end, but slightly not to the end. And for the fastening, a hole is drilled in advance by 4 mm larger than the diameter of the self-tapping screw.

Connecting profiles

There are one-piece and detachable, the lower part of which is attached to the frame of the building. Then the ends of the sheets are inserted into it. After that, the seam is covered with an outer strip that hides the fasteners. By appointment, the profiles are divided into:

• connecting in one plane;
• end / end with a dropper and a drainage channel for the lower cut (removal of moisture accumulated in the honeycomb)
• ridge

Manufactured from polycarbonate and aluminum.

Polycarbonate profiles are used when it is necessary to maintain the full transparency of the roof. This profile is strong but not load-bearing. But he bends well.

Aluminum is useful if the roof is made of polycarbonate with a complex configuration. Or if the region has strong wind or snow loads. Also suitable for mounting cellular polycarbonate profile " facade system», Complete with a special decorative cover, painted in various colors according to the RAL standard. When using an aluminum profile in work, it is necessary to protect the polycarbonate from overheating with a special EPDM gasket.

Self-tapping screws

Regular self-tapping screws, when heated, can also damage the material. Therefore, special elastomer thermowells are used. The most appropriate option in all respects is polycarbonate washers, complete with an O-ring, which allow you to securely fix the sheet without crushing it. Fastening with self-tapping screws is carried out with a screwdriver strictly vertically in relation to the plane of the sheet, and, which is especially important, without pinching. The wells under the cap of the thermal washer must not be allowed.

Sealing tapes

Before installation, the cellular edge of the sheet, which will be located at the top of the building, is sealed with an airtight tape that protects against dirt and moisture. All lower cells are closed with perforated adhesive tape to drain condensate from the honeycomb. Then a U-shaped profile with pre-drilled holes is put on top of the tape.

Sealant

You need to buy just such transparent sealant suitable for working with polycarbonate. All joints are sealed to prevent the formation of condensation inside the sheet, from which the material loses its transparency.

Rules for working with cellular polycarbonate

• It is better to store in a dry place where there is no risk of condensation in the cells.
• It is possible to work with polycarbonate at temperatures down to -5 ° С. If the air temperature is lower, there is a risk of chipping during cutting and fastening.
• Sheet to avoid deformation and unobstructed internal ventilation on the object should be oriented with internal grooves / stiffeners from top to bottom or parallel to the direction of the arc of an arched roof.
• The UV-protected side is sealed at the factory with a printed mounting foil. This side should be facing up.
• For cutting, you can use a hand or jigsaw, a hacksaw. Cutting speed too slow will chip, and cutting speed too fast can melt the material. When cutting, the sheet should not vibrate in order to avoid the formation of microcracks.
• You can't walk on a cellular polycarbonate roof. For the convenience of work, you need to organize the flooring.
• The profile is fastened with thermal washers every 20-30 cm. You can make point fastening into a sheet with the same distance.
• The step between the rafters should be a multiple of the standard width of the sheet, and the connecting seams should be in the middle of the rafters.

Frame materials and roof shape

The frame is usually made of wood or metal. For example, it could be a wooden gazebo with a polycarbonate roof. The choice of this or that material will mainly determine the style of construction.

• A wooden structure made of bars and planks is suitable for a straight roof. The slope of the slope must be at least 6 °. A transverse lathing is usually laid on the rafters with a step of 40-50 cm. And on it is the main roofing material.
• For supports and rafters, a 40 mm board is suitable. To bring the entire frame flush, a 50x20 bar for the transverse lathing is laid with its end in the slots of the rafters.
• The frame is treated with bioprotective and fire retardant solutions. If necessary, tinted or painted.
• Frames are made of metal for both straight and arched and domed roofs. The creation of a dome requires quite complex calculations. It is better to entrust it to professionals.
• Aluminum is taken for light buildings, steel - for large structures with a large weight load. Large-radius arches are reinforced with struts, transverse stiffeners, and additional supports.
• If arched curves are assumed, then notches are made in the metal frame from opposite sides. After that, it folds over the pattern. In doing so, take into account the minimum bending radius of the polycarbonate.

If the building, according to its design, will not have natural ventilation (pavilion), then at the design stage it is worthwhile to provide for opening windows or dormers. Overheating in extreme heat can deform polycarbonate.

In general, with knowledge of the listed features and the rules associated with them, a polycarbonate roof with your own hands is not difficult to do, and the result of the work will delight you with functionality and aesthetic appearance.

Cottage construction is so popular that everyone more people leave apartments in noisy cities and move to 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 field of construction simply amaze with their functionality and decorative properties.

These are the characteristics of polycarbonate roofs for houses and adjoining ancillary structures. They are installed above the porch or pool, erected in the form of a canopy in the parking lot of the car 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 enhances 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:

1. Premium - withstands at least 20 years of operation.
2. Elite - has served for at least 12 years.
3. Optimal - 10 years on average.
4. 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

To the advantages of a cellular polymer coating can be attributed:

• excellent light transmittance. About 80% of the sunlight passes 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;
• worthy 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 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:

1. 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.
2. 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 floors and round roofs of the house. Before purchasing such building material, ask the seller about which option better fit for your conditions, otherwise you may be faced with an unplanned material change due to the fact that it does not meet your requirements.

Example of installing a polycarbonate roof

Using the example of installing a cover for a gazebo, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with step by step instructions, which will help you make a high-quality design 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, which must be prepared in advance.

Rafter system

Before installation, wooden elements for the rafter system must be treated with antiseptics, which will not give natural material rot, thereby 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.

The 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 with a change in temperature, 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 properly seal 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 smear an additional layer of sealant at the joints of the plates, then you will receive a guaranteed impermeability.

To make the work easier, and the result of the installation turned out to be 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;
• don't forget to equip ventilation system in the event that the roof of a house made of polycarbonate is mounted above the 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.

Originality and beauty, reliability and accessibility to natural light - these compliments are constantly heard in the address of a polycarbonate roof. The translucent structure makes the building both cozy and attractive, as it has unique characteristics and is erected in a special way.

Features of Polycarbonate Roof

To understand whether polycarbonate is suitable for a roof, you should consider its types and characteristics.

Views

Polycarbonate is classified into three types:

Monolithic carbonate is not only straight, but also round.

Table: parameters of different types of polycarbonate

Type of polycarbonate	Appearance	Specifications	Basic properties
Wavy (profiled)	Solid sheets with waves or trapezoidal profiles	The thickness is 0.8–1.5 mm, the standard sheet width is 480–1217 mm, and the average length is 6 m. The height and waveform can be different. Any color, not excluding smoky and matte shades	Temperature Range- from -50 to 130 ° C, density - 1.2 kg / m 3, tensile strength - 65 kg / m², that is, the material is similar to corrugated board, and weighs much less
Cellular (honeycomb or structured)	Material with cells inside, that is, from 2 to 5 layers of plates connected by jumpers (stiffeners)	Sheet thickness - from 2 to 25 mm, width - 2.1 or 1.2 m, and length - 6 and 12 m.Any color, different honeycomb structure	Operating temperature - from -40 to +130 ° C, tensile strength - 60 kg / m²
Monolithic straight	Solid smooth material, comparable to glass, but differing from it in lighter weight and more functionality, because it is denser and better transmits light	The thickness of the panel is 1–20 mm, there may be several layers, one of which is responsible for strength, the other for transparency to light, and the third for the dullness of the material. Average sheet size - 205x305 cm	Impact resistance - 20-21 kg / m², temperature range - from -50 to 130 ° C
Monolithic rounded	Monolithic polycarbonate, which was made rounded by hot forming technology using special domes with a radius of 4-5 m

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of polycarbonate include:

Significant disadvantages of transparent material are:

• high risk of deformation during transportation;
• the need for careful installation and careful maintenance;
• low abrasive resistance, which is reflected in the rapid appearance of cracks and scratches.

The main enemy of polycarbonate is hail. Transparent material can easily crack from impacts of ice lumps, breaking the integrity of the structure.

Even a thick sheet of cellular polycarbonate on the roof can become unusable if severe hail suddenly falls out.

Life time

Most manufacturers promise that polycarbonate will last at least 10 years as a roof covering. But, as practice shows, the operating time of a transparent material can be extended up to 30 years. To do this, you must strictly observe the following rules:

Minimum slope angle

The minimum angle of inclination of the polycarbonate roof is 5°. If you reduce it, then a roof made of a material that is inferior in quality to metal and ceramics will definitely be damaged.

However, realizing that polycarbonate is just a hardened plastic, home owners prefer to tilt the roof slope by at least 10 °. So they get rid of the worry about whether the roof will withstand the pressure of snow and the sound of raindrops. When the roof slope is inconsistent, it quickly gets rid of precipitation.

Application of polycarbonate on the roof

In most cases, in the construction of roofs, monolithic and cellular polycarbonate is used. Profiled material is a little less popular.

Table: for which roofs is polycarbonate suitable

Polycarbonate type	Application area	additional information
Profiled	Roofs for residential and public buildings, awnings, roofs of arbors, terraces, greenhouses	For roof construction, it is recommended to use a material with a wave height of 1.5 cm, since it is characterized by better strength. It is desirable that the coating be opaque so that it can hide the rafters and crate underneath, replacing materials such as slate, ondulin and corrugated board
Monolithic	Roofs of various sizes and configurations of any buildings, including small bath, greenhouse and residential building	You can not be afraid to use it for the construction of complex roofs, since the material has the prospect of withstanding the pressure of a large snow mass. With a thickness of 12 mm, this coating will not break even under the blow of an adult strong man.
Cellular	Complex elements of arches and roofs, awnings over swimming pools and stadiums, roof of a hangar, outbuilding, greenhouse, gazebo, greenhouse, greenhouse or poultry house	Due to the porous structure, the material allows you to make the roof beautiful without compromising the strength of the structure, because its thickness can be up to 32 mm

But the type of material is not the main condition for choosing polycarbonate for the roof. Its thickness is more significant.

Table: the use of polycarbonate depending on the thickness

Photo gallery: polycarbonate roofs

The polycarbonate roof contributes to the creation of the necessary microclimate in the greenhouse for plant growth. The polycarbonate canopy decorates and protects the door from precipitation. The polycarbonate roof over the open dining room contributes to the creation of a special atmosphere. an interesting and budget option for a garage for a car As a cover for a greenhouse, polycarbonate is much better than a film, since it will not tear and let the cold inside. the pool allows you to fence off the recreation area without depriving it sunlight

Installation of polycarbonate on the roof

The work on the construction of a polycarbonate roof begins with the preparation of materials with tools and the creation of the sheathing.

Required materials and tools

In order for the installation of the roof to be successful, it is necessary to purchase the right amount material and the correct screws.

Polycarbonate calculation

The calculation of polycarbonate is carried out according to the formulan =S to:S l, where n is the required amount of material, S k is the roof area, andS l - area of ​​one polycarbonate sheet.

Imagine that we are planning to mount polycarbonate sheets 210 cm wide and 6 m long on a 5x6 m roof, and do the following:

1. Determine the roof area (5 m * 6 m = 30 m²).
2. We find out the area of ​​the roofing sheet (2.1 m * 6 m = 12.6 m²).
3. Let's calculate how many sheets of polycarbonate you need to purchase (30 m²: 12.6 m² = 2.4).
4. We round the resulting number to 3. If the installation of the material will be carried out with overlaps (which is typical for wave polycarbonate), then the amount of material is increased by 15%.

The choice of self-tapping screws for roofing polycarbonate

To fasten polycarbonate to the roof frame, use special self-tapping screws equipped with a washer-seal and a gasket.

The washer seal ensures that the fasteners fit well in advance drilled hole and will bond tightly with the material. And the gasket does not allow water to penetrate into the structure through the place of fixing the roofing to the frame.

A roofing screw with a washer will ensure the tightness of the polycarbonate fastening on the roof

The optimum diameter of a self-tapping screw for polycarbonate is 4.8 or 5.5 mm. Larger screws, when screwing in, can cause cracks in the material, and small ones will not be able to cope with the task of fixing roof covering.

According to the rules, the hole for the self-tapping screw should be slightly less than the diameter of the fastener: for self-tapping screws with a diameter of 4.8 mm, the hole must be made with a drill with a diameter of 4 mm; for a larger fastener, a drill with a size of 4.5 mm is suitable.

A reasonable length of a self-tapping screw for mounting roofing polycarbonate is 3-4 cm. To determine specifically this value, you need to look at the thickness of the frame. The length of the fasteners should be slightly less than the combined thickness of the roof base, polycarbonate, and washer.

Required tools

In the process of fixing polycarbonate on the roof, you will need:

I do not recommend using a drill when working with polycarbonate. Its power will not be good: the screws will be overtightened, and the attachments will constantly slip and be damaged. The drill is hard and inconvenient to hold in your hands if you are installing lightweight material.

To select the distance between the elements of the roof frame, you need to know the thickness of the finishing material. There is a certain relationship between these values: the lathing step should be 100 times the thickness of the transparent sheet.

For example, if the thickness of the material is 4 mm, then the elements of the lathing should be laid at a distance of 40 cm from each other. And in the case of using polycarbonate 1 cm thick, the frame parts must be mounted in increments of 1 m.

The thicker the polycarbonate sheets, the less often the crate elements can be laid

In addition to the thickness of the finishing material, the slope of the roof affects the spacing between the elements of the lathing. If the roof is flat, then the step of the frame parts should be small. In a situation with a steep roof, everything is exactly the opposite, because the snow mass does not linger on it, which means that a heavy snow load does not threaten it.

The territory of Russia is divided into 8 regions, in each of which the value of the standard snow load is determined

Another criterion for choosing the pitch of the lathing is the wind load. When in the region where the house is being blown strong wind, it is unreasonable to lay out the elements of the frame over long distances.

The level of wind load at the construction site can be determined using a special map issued by Roshydromet

You can evade complex calculations of the pitch of the crate if you determine the total wind and snow load from the maps given and look at the table compiled according to the recommendations of specialists. In it, you can choose three combinations of the pitch of the crate and the distance between the rafters for each combination of "polycarbonate thickness - load".

Table: the recommended pitch of the crate for cellular polycarbonate, depending on the total load

Load in kg / m2 (snow + wind)	Polycarbonate thickness
	6 mm	8 mm	10 mm	16 mm
	Recommended lathing pitch (mm) / Distance between rafters
100	105/79	120/90	123/92	125/95
	90/90	95/95	100/100	110/110
	82/103	90/110	90/115	95/120
160	88/66	100/75	105/75	115/90
	76/76	83/83	83/83	97/97
	70/86	75/90	75/95	85/105
200	80/60	85/65	95/70	110/85
	69/69	76/76	78/78	88/88
	62/78	65/85	70/85	75/95

Polycarbonate installation process

Consider the instructions for installing polycarbonate using the example of cellular material. To install it you need:

1. Fix on the lathing on top of those rafters where the polycarbonate sheets will be joined, connecting profiles.
2. Free the polycarbonate sheets from the protective film with seamy side and insert them into the installed profiles, leaving a gap of 5 mm, designed to compensate for the lack of space in the event of expansion of the sheet due to strong heating in the heat. It is necessary to make sure that the face of the topcoat is the one on which the word "top" is written or the manufacturer of the material is indicated - it has a special coating that protects the material from the action of ultraviolet rays.

   
   Polycarbonate sheets are connected through a profile, which is then sealed with a lid and fixed with a self-tapping screw

3. Connect every 30 cm finishing material with crate with self-tapping screws and washers. Fasteners need to be screwed in by installing on a screwdriver low speed to prevent them from being pressed into the polycarbonate.

   
   Self-tapping screws must be screwed in at a slow speed of the screwdriver in order to prevent the sheet from crushing due to excessive force

4. Close the lower edge of the polycarbonate sheets located at the eaves of the roof perforated tape, which will not allow ultraviolet rays, water, dust and insects to penetrate into the structure through open cells of the material.
Upper protective film removed after mounting the sheet
5. Insert and secure with self-tapping screws on the side of the connecting profiles (2 cm away from their edge) stoppers that will prevent the polycarbonate sheets from leaving the roof frame.

   
   Limiters are put on the side of the connecting profiles, into which they are screwed into a self-tapping screw

6. Close the bottom and top edges of the polycarbonate deck with end profiles.
7. Seal the contact points of polycarbonate with connecting profiles with silicone sealant.

According to the same instructions, you can lay monolithic polycarbonate on the roof. Its edges do not need to be sealed with special tapes.

Video: installation of polycarbonate on a metal frame using connecting profiles and thermal washers

Caring for polycarbonate in winter

If possible, then before the onset of winter, it is better to disassemble the polycarbonate structure and hide it in the barn. But with stationary structures this cannot be done, so in the cold season they will have to be looked after in a special way.

Polycarbonate is able to withstand the effects of 40-degree frost. This means that his main enemy is not cold at all, but snow.

To prevent trouble with a polycarbonate roof in winter, you need:

Emergency incidents with a polycarbonate roof (for example, bursting of polycarbonate honeycombs with frozen water or cracking of the material) can definitely not be avoided if the following mistakes were made during its installation:

• lathing elements are placed at large intervals, despite the significant snow load in the region;
• polycarbonate sheets are pressed tightly to the profiles, without an expansion gap for thermal contraction and expansion of the material;
• the edges of the sheets were not taped according to the instructions above;
• when fastening the sheets, the screws were tightly tightened.

Polycarbonate - light and pretty durable material, therefore, it is possible to create roofs from it not only for greenhouses and gazebos, but also for outbuildings and even residential buildings. A roof made of a transparent coating is extremely original.