A “house” greenhouse made of glass, film or polycarbonate can often be seen on summer cottages. This type of greenhouse is not without its drawbacks: it is more difficult to build than a lean-to or arched greenhouse; it requires a lot of material and a rigid frame. Why does a greenhouse with a gable roof appear so often on our sites?

• This is a durable, rigid structure.
• Water does not linger on the roof, it drains easily and does not create additional load on the frame.
• The design allows you to grow plants different heights, from small to tall.
• You can build a year-round option with heating and lighting.
• You can make vents in the greenhouse for effective ventilation.
• You can build a greenhouse according to Mittleider with a special ventilation system.

Types of greenhouses

A greenhouse with a gable roof can be of two types:

Greenhouse covering

Depending on the type of greenhouse, choose different materials. The coating can be

• polyethylene film,
• glass,
• polycarbonate sheets.

Polyethylene

This is the cheapest of the listed materials; it is used for summer options greenhouses Polyethylene film transmits and diffuses light well, but this material deteriorates quite quickly from ultraviolet radiation, so the film coating has to be changed every year.

Glass

This traditional material for covering greenhouses, it transmits light well and retains heat. Flaws - heavy weight, fragility, difficulty of installation.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is replacing glass - structures made from it are light and durable. Cellular polycarbonate is a slab of two sheets of plastic with stiffening ribs between them. It is available in two sizes: 2.1 * 2.6 m and 2.1 * 12 m. There is also a monolithic version, but it is more expensive, so cellular (cellular) polycarbonate is usually used for greenhouses. In addition, the air inside the cellular sheets helps retain heat.

Polycarbonate greenhouses with a gable roof are now gaining popularity; thanks to the lightness of this material, it is much easier to build a greenhouse with your own hands than a traditional glass greenhouse. In addition, polycarbonate has an ultraviolet protection coating, which extends its service life.

When choosing a polycarbonate sheet, you need to consider several points.

• The thicker the sheet, the better it retains heat, but the less light it transmits.
• It is not advisable to use lightweight polycarbonate (less than 4 mm thick) for greenhouses. This will be cheaper, but justified only for small greenhouses. For large structures, the price of the frame will negate all savings, especially since thin polycarbonate may not withstand snow loads in winter.
• The optimal sheet thickness is 6 mm or more. If you are planning a heated winter greenhouse, then it is better to take material with a thickness of 15 mm.
• The price/quality ratio is the best from Russian manufacturers.

The greenhouse frame can be made of

• profiled pipes,
• galvanized metal profile.
• wooden beam,
• plastic profile.

The last option is suitable if you plan to build a summer greenhouse from film. For a more durable structure, profiled steel pipes, metal profile or wooden beam.

Profiled pipes

They are made of stainless or galvanized steel. If the pipes are stainless, then there is no need to cover them with anything, otherwise they need to be painted. The pipes are connected to each other by welding or using tees and bolted connections. This is the most reliable option, especially if you are using greenhouse polycarbonate large thickness. The disadvantage of this material is its high price and heavy weight.

Metallic profile

You can also use a galvanized M-shaped, U-shaped or V-shaped profile. It weighs less than pipes and costs less. A gable greenhouse made of profile and thin polycarbonate can do without a foundation, which also reduces costs. To do this, simply take a profile 80 cm longer than the height of the greenhouse and drive it into the ground.

Wooden beam

It is a less durable material than metal pipes. The tree must be protected from moisture and pests by impregnating it with appropriate agents, but in the special conditions of the greenhouse they will be ineffective, and if effective, they can be poisonous.

Important! It is better to choose a wooden frame if it is possible to regularly care for it.

Where to put the greenhouse

Typically, greenhouses are placed so that their long side is located from west to east. It is better to place it in an open, well-lit place.

Important! If it is not possible to position the greenhouse so that it is illuminated by the sun all day, choose a place that receives sunlight in the first half of the day - it is the morning sun that is most beneficial for plants.

If there are two or more greenhouses on the site, position them so that they do not block the light from each other.

Construction stages

Design

For easy drainage of water pitched roof made of polycarbonate on the greenhouse should have an angle between 24 and 30 degrees. Such a roof does not require a particularly complex rafter system. Typical sizes greenhouses with a gable roof:

• width - 2.5-3 m;
• length 5-7 m;
• maximum height - 2.5 m.
• Recommended door sizes are 180*80 cm.
• An example drawing with dimensions is shown below.

Foundation

For light wooden A columnar foundation will suffice for a greenhouse. It requires 6 concrete pillars 3 m high and 120 mm wide. 4 pillars are placed in the corners, two in the middle long sides. They are dug into the ground to a depth of 0.5 m and filled with concrete. Remember that in hot weather, concrete must be periodically moistened with water while it hardens to prevent cracks from forming.

For a heavier greenhouse, especially year-round and big size, you will need a more serious foundation: strip concrete, brick or rubble stone.

For a strip base, dig a ditch 30-40 cm deep, the base should rise 20-25 cm above the ground.

To attach a wooden frame to the foundation after it hardens, install a frame made of timber with a cross-section of at least 50*50 mm or install vertical wooden racks before pouring concrete. Before installation, all wooden parts must be protected from rotting by impregnation with an antiseptic.

The metal frame is attached to the base using brackets, corners and hardware. It can also be attached to a wooden frame.

Frame

There are two options here: either assemble the entire frame close to the installation site, and then transfer it to the foundation and attach it to the wooden frame, or, if you have already installed wooden posts, attach the remaining elements to them.

If you have chosen wooden frame, use beams 100 mm thick. If the posts are already installed in the foundation, then the beams must be attached at the top of the posts and in the middle. The rafters are placed at a distance of 0.5 m. To fasten the beams together, use corners and screws, not nails.

For a greenhouse made of polycarbonate and a profile pipe, the frame posts and rafters are placed at a distance of 0.7 or 1 m. The main posts, rafters and ridge beams use a profile measuring 20*40 mm, for other elements - 20*20 mm.

Important! The gable roof of a polycarbonate greenhouse should be designed so that the joint of the sheets falls on the profile.

When sheathing the frame, move from top to bottom. Windows and doors are done last.

Cutting and installation of polycarbonate

It is important to correctly outline the sheets of material and then carefully cut them. For cutting, use special scissors for polycarbonate or a jigsaw. Careful cutting will avoid waste of material. It is especially important to accurately cut out the sheets for the gables.

The durability of a gable greenhouse made of polycarbonate sheets depends on proper installation.

Attention! Keep in mind that the stiffening ribs of cellular polycarbonate must be finished design be positioned vertically. It is also important not to mix up the sides of the sheet and secure it to the outside with the side with the UV-protective coating.

Polycarbonate tends to shrink and expand with temperature changes, so the holes for fasteners should be slightly larger than the diameter of the screws or self-tapping screws. Between the screw head and the sheet you need to put rubber gasket. If you are making a frame from wood, then you also need to put a rubber gasket between the wood and the polycarbonate at the attachment point. The sheets are fastened together using connecting strips.

To protect open edges, use a vapor-permeable profile to keep water and debris out, and leave the bottom edge open to allow condensation to drain.

The video below shows how to build a portable gable greenhouse.

Year-round greenhouse - lighting and heating

To grow vegetables and herbs year-round, it is necessary to light and heat the greenhouse, because plants need 12-16 hours of daylight.

Metal halide or metal halides are best for plants. LED bulbs, although the price for them is quite high. Also suitable mercury lamps however, you will need a lot of them. They provide the appropriate spectrum of light.

When choosing lamps for lighting, consider not only the spectrum, but also heat transfer. Fluorescent lamps They fit the spectrum, but their heat transfer is low.

Heating using hot water And solid fuel. Also for the greenhouse on personal plot you can use infrared lamps. They not only provide heat, but also kill fungus. The greenhouse is also often heated by connecting it to the heating system of the house.

Relatively recently on construction market affordable translucent, flexible and durable polycarbonate for the roof has appeared. 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, and 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 produced using carbonic acid and bisphenol. A roof equipped with its use is characterized 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 looks like silicate glass, it is smooth and transparent. At the same time, load-bearing qualities and impact resistance monolithic polycarbonate for a roof is much higher than that of glass coverings. Since its flexibility is less than that of the cellular type of this product, it is used to create pitched and flat roofs.
2. Cellular. The structure of this polycarbonate is characterized by the presence of many cells that are filled with air. The degree of translucency of the honeycomb material is less compared to the monolithic type. This plastic bends well, retains heat excellently and is therefore used in the construction and glazing of greenhouses and winter gardens. It is used in the construction of shaped roofs, including arched, domed and many others.

Throughout its entire service life, polycarbonate roofing is in contact with ultraviolet rays, which have the most adverse effect on the condition of the material, which leads to its premature wear. So that the roof can last a longer time, craftsmen install special plastic that is not affected by ultraviolet radiation.

Advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate roofing sheet

Due to the 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 plastic roofing has a high bearing capacity, it is impact resistant and light weight. To install a polycarbonate roof with your own hands, you do not need to build a massive frame and pour a solid foundation.
2. The material, especially the cellular type, bends without problems, and this circumstance allows you to equip complex figured roofing structures without the use of special equipment and tools.
3. Many people 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 polycarbonate so that the connection is durable.
4. Polycarbonate has sound and thermal insulation properties, does not allow water to pass through.
5. The material has a long service life, 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 the construction process the fasteners must be tightened so that gaps remain.

Features of the roof structure

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

• support frame made of metal profile or wooden blocks;
• roofing material - it is laid on a sheathing 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 from polycarbonate sheets are:

1. Flat. These are structures consisting of one plane with a slope of no more than 1-2 degrees. It turns out to be big on them snow load, therefore, the thickness of monolithic polycarbonate for a flat roof should be at least 8-10 millimeters.
2. Pitched. From transparent plastic, you can make a roofing structure from one or more slopes with a slope of up to 40 degrees. Light weight and convenient handling make the construction of the rafter system easier.
3. Arched. Cellular polycarbonate is considered one of the the best materials for creating arched structures. Roofs with any form of bend on a metal frame can be made without much difficulty due to the flexibility of this coating.
4. Dome. For such structures, cellular polycarbonate is used because it is flexible. But arranging a dome-shaped roof will require precise calculations and careful adjustment.

Professionals advise using metal frames made of steel or aluminum, since in this case the service life of the roofing covering and the base material are the same. When fixing 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 swimming pool. In order for the transparent roof covering to be reliable and durable, the thickness of the polycarbonate for the roof must be correctly selected. The easiest way to use finished project with all the existing ones necessary calculations to avoid errors in the process of cutting and installing the structure.

This roof is assembled in the following sequence:

1. At the initial stage, a frame is assembled from wooden or metal elements. A profile, bars or corners with a thickness of at least 4-5 centimeters are suitable for this. Since the width of a standard polycarbonate roof sheet 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 of the required size using a circular saw with fine teeth and fixed to the frame. When a pitched roof is installed, plastic stiffeners are placed along the slope.
3. The first sheet is laid with a protrusion beyond the roof of 3-5 millimeters. The end of the material is sealed with tape or a special profile is put on it.
4. Holes are made in polycarbonate along the rafters in increments of 30-40 centimeters, using a drill whose diameter exceeds this parameter for self-tapping screws by 3-4 millimeters.
5. The roofing material is secured 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 tightened with a gap of 2-3 millimeters.
6. To connect sheets, use special connecting strips- they are attached to the rafters with self-tapping screws.

Currently, new materials are appearing on the construction market, which immediately become popular due to their unique properties. This is exactly what polycarbonate is - a polymer material that has the highest degree of resistance to mechanical stress and temperature changes, which contributes to its widespread use, in particular in the construction industry.

Almost everything can be made from polycarbonate: fences, windows, gazebos, canopies, verandas, dropped ceilings. Moreover, today you can even build a roof from polycarbonate and, most importantly, you can do it yourself, since installation is not very difficult, but the result will please you. You can install a transparent polycarbonate roof over any structure, including over a residential building, a cold attic, over a balcony area, a terrace, a veranda - wherever daylight will not be superfluous.

Properties of polycarbonate

Since any roof must meet certain requirements, the material for its installation must have relevant characteristics. Polycarbonate is one of those materials that have the necessary properties:

• transparency of the material, thanks 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 windows;
• excellent impact resistance that can withstand even large hail and other falling objects;
• impact resistance and absence of possible damage chips and splinters;
• low degree of flammability and combustion resistance. In addition, even near an open fire, when the material melts, it does not emit harmful compounds;
• good performance in sound and thermal insulation properties;
• light weight of the material, making polycarbonate panels easy to deliver to the construction site, 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 perfectly in one direction, but in the opposite direction it is quite rigid. This allows it to withstand any serious loads;
• high load-bearing capacity;
• retains all its properties in the temperature range from +125 to -45 degrees, therefore it will serve equally 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 flat roof was so sufficient that snow could not linger on the surface;
• 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 erected by yourself different shapes: flat, but having such an angle of inclination that rainwater could flow freely. In addition, you can make top part houses in the form of a pyramid, a prism, a dome, a hemisphere - there are simply no restrictions on the imagination of the owners of the house.

It is 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.

When building a polycarbonate roof with your own hands, you can create the foundation 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 connections. This option allows you to make original roof, as if floating above the building.

Required tools and materials

Before you plan to build any structure, you need to take care of purchasing necessary materials. In this case - polycarbonate plates. Depending on their quality, they are divided into several types:

1. The most affordable and economical option, but it will last from 5 to 8 years.
2. 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 happens on roofs made of other materials.
3. The service life of elite polycarbonate is slightly longer - 12-15 years.
4. Premium canvas has the longest service life; it will retain its appearance and properties for more than two decades.

Pricing for each type 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.

Tools required 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 finishing ends;
• jigsaw, screwdriver, hacksaw;
• fastener Usually these are self-tapping screws with thermal washers.

DIY installation

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

Installation of rafters

When installing a base under polycarbonate, you need to take only high-quality material, since the reliability of the operation of polycarbonate sheets depends on the strength of the rafters and appearance the buildings. Therefore, it is best to use a beam with a cross-section of 40-60 cm or a metal profile for the frame. 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 again, you will have to take into account that the width of the polycarbonate sheets is 210 cm plus a 5 mm temperature gap on each side. Knowing these subtleties will help you correctly calculate the length for an arched or flat roof.

Profile fastening

When installing connectors and fasteners, you need to ensure that the profiles selected for the job are those that are intended for use at this stage; there are models of profile products for sale for connecting operations, ridge, end, external and internal connections. In addition, the dimensions of any type of profile must match the thickness of the sheet. If the work will be performed on metal or aluminum profiles, 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: To install a non-separable profile, no additional preparations are made: the polycarbonate is placed on the finished frame and secured using a point method or with fixing profiles.

When building a polycarbonate roof, the material should be placed in honeycombs only vertically; if placed 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 or a circular saw, with sharp small teeth. The speed will have to be selected experimentally, since too high a speed leads to overheating of the polymer and its melting, and if it is too low, chips will form on the material. During operation, polycarbonate should not be allowed to vibrate; this can cause microcracks to form.

Drilling polycarbonate

When performing installation work using self-tapping screws, just 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 knowing how to make a roof out of polycarbonate is not enough; you need to know how to secure it; under no circumstances should you screw in the 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 sharply sharpened tools and perform them only on flat surface, being careful not to damage protective film on polycarbonate sheets. If it is removed early, debris or even very small plastic particles may get inside 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.

Video about roof installation

Modern architecture is characterized by new trends that imply exclusive ideas, non-traditional original solutions and styles, application of new technologies and use the latest materials, which differ unique properties and characteristics. All this is necessary to give humanity, saturated with city life, the opportunity to regain at least some of the 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 winter gardens, but also, if not over all, then over some of the premises in cottages and private houses.

Features and requirements for designs

The use of polycarbonate provides endless possibilities and scope for creating architectural masterpieces. Thanks to this material, it is possible to build roofs of various shapes - two or single slopes, domed, hipped, arched, pyramidal polygonal and others. Moreover, they can be installed 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 accepted standards;
• a polycarbonate roof made of cellular or monolithic sheets must have sound insulation that meets statistical data, as well as heat, water and vapor barrier;
• protect work areas from too much 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

According to their design characteristics, polycarbonate structures are of the following types:

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

For lighting attics along with traditional vertical windows, you can also use dormer windows, which are mounted directly on the roof plane. Skylights are glass overhangs of a building or skylights. Their glazing can be done as 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 roofs for the most popular types of roofs. technical solutions. If the need arises to create another design, it is much more difficult - designers of manufacturing companies can always develop new options.

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

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

Advantages of polycarbonate

The main advantages of polycarbonate products are:

1. Low specific gravity, thanks to which it is possible to design and build elegant, original lightweight buildings of large sizes, and increase the width of the spans of structures. In addition, due to the lightness of the material, it becomes possible to implement any design ideas and without spending a lot of money.
2. High load-bearing capacity.
3. Transparency and flexibility, which makes it easy to manufacture roof structures of any complexity.
4. Excellent chemical resistance.
5. Low flammability.
6. High thermal insulation qualities.
7. Impact resistance.
8. Preservation of mechanical and physical properties at temperatures from −45 to +115 degrees.
9. The durability of the material; with proper care, it will serve, maintaining its qualities, for 10-12 years or more.
10. Large sheet sizes, which is very convenient when working on the installation of large-area structures.

In addition to the listed advantages, polycarbonate is easy to bend, cut, drill, and glues well. 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 the flat surface.

Choosing polycarbonate

When constructing roofs, the issue of paramount importance is the choice the desired type material. There are many types of polycarbonate sheets on sale, which differ in color and 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. Sixteen-millimeter sheets can be used on large-area polycarbonate roofs. Since this type can withstand heavy loads, it can be used in the construction of stations, parking lots, gas stations and other similar structures. Ten-millimeter sheets are ideal for sports facilities, including swimming pools. For arranging canopies, canopies, and glazing balconies, you can use sheets with a thickness of 8 mm, and five millimeter sheets for canopies. Since greenhouses do not carry a serious load, they can use material with a thickness of only 3.5 mm.

Types of polycarbonate

There are several types of this material:

1. 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 top layer, the second layer blocks UV rays, and the third holds the entire structure.
2. Cellular polycarbonate has a corresponding honeycomb structure. It looks very nice on domed roofs. This type can be both colored and transparent. It is also perfect for creating outdoor advertising, interior design, making partitions, ceilings and other translucent structures.
3. Sheets with a trapezoidal or wavy profile are called profiled and are more suitable than others for arranging façade and roof coverings. They are used to make roofs over greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses, canopies over parking lots and over gardens to create domed vaults.

Price

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

So, sheets 0.35 cm thick, size A cost 1,250 rubles, B - 2,500. Six-millimeter sheets: A colored - 2.65 thousand rubles, transparent - 2.4 thousand, size B - transparent 4.8 thousand rubles, color 5.8 thousand

Sheets for polycarbonate roofs, 10 mm thick: size A transparent - 3,300 rubles, colored - 3,670. B - transparent 6, 7 thousand rubles, colored - 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: sheet A transparent - 9,200 rubles, and colored - 10,200. For option B you will have to pay 18,600 rubles for transparent, and for colored - 20,400.

As a building material developed countries known since 1960, currently world production exceeds 3 million tons. Polycarbonate roofing – good option covering most outbuildings - from very prestigious verandas, gazebos, swimming pools to the manufacture of ordinary carports or greenhouses. This material allows you to create strong, durable and beautiful designs at relatively low financial costs.

Unique physical characteristics make it possible to use roofing polycarbonate in almost all climatic regions of our country, and modern innovative fillers make it more resistant to mechanical damage and adverse climatic influences.

Prices for cellular polycarbonate

Cellular polycarbonate

Currently construction industry produces several types of materials used to cover roofs for various purposes. They all have their own individual differences.

Table. Types of polycarbonate for roofing

Type of polycarbonate	Brief operational and physical characteristics
	The most famous among developers is polycarbonate, it has a cellular structure with various sizes and geometry. To protect surfaces from harsh ultraviolet radiation, a special film is used; it is glued only on the front side. Due to the use of innovative film, the service life can exceed ten years. Panel thickness 4–25 mm, specific weight 0.8–3.5 kg/m2, bending radius 0.7–4.3 m.
	It is made from monolithic material; by giving the sheets different geometries, the bending resistance parameters are significantly increased. It has a wide range of products, differing in appearance and size.
	It is used quite rarely; reinforced frames are required for installation. Such requirements increase estimated cost coatings, which makes it uncompetitive among other types of coatings.

To facilitate and speed up the installation process, the industry produces special additional profile elements:

• end profile;
• corner profile;
• ridge profile;
• connecting one-piece;
• connecting detachable.

Prices for polycarbonate profiles

Polycarbonate profiles

Additional elements may have different design, supplemented with special details. But these changes do not affect their main purpose and technology of use. High-quality without the use of connecting and decorative elements is impossible.

Advantages of polycarbonate coatings

Roofing material has a number of undeniable advantages over traditional coatings.

1. High strength with little specific gravity . One of the most important advantages of polycarbonate. In terms of impact strength per unit weight, polycarbonate is 8 times stronger than PVC and acrylic plastics and 200 times stronger than ordinary window glass. Wherein volumetric mass 16 times less glass and 3 times less acrylic materials.

   

2. Low thermal conductivity coefficient. Due to this property, it is possible to reduce heat losses by approximately 30–50% compared to other types roofing coverings. Considering the high cost of coolants at present, this is a very important advantage; it is widely used during the design of greenhouses, indoor swimming pools, winter gardens, insulated terraces and other heated premises.

   

3. High transparency and weather resistance. Depending on the manufacturing technology, the transparency of the coating ranges from 72–90%, which allows you to save significant financial resources on interior lighting. This indicator is especially important for greenhouses and winter gardens. The material is approved for use at temperatures -40°С…+120°С. In this interval, polycarbonate retains its original physical characteristics.

   

4. Chemical inertness. The coating is not afraid of contact with aggressive chemical compounds and can be used in urban environments with a lot of smog. According to fire safety, the material is considered low-flammability and self-extinguishing.

   

5. Manufacturability. Polycarbonate plates are easy to cut and process, they can bend and do not crack during an accidental fall. Installation work do not require the use of special expensive tools and devices. The coating is carried out quickly, the influence of climatic conditions is minimal.

   

Can be coated with polycarbonate Various types roofs: arched and flat, inclined and complex broken. But regardless of the types rafter systems There are universal recommendations for all types of work.

Work can begin only after the frame is completely ready, materials, additional elements and hardware have been purchased. Tools must be prepared and a work plan drawn up.

Cutting and drilling

Taking into account the thickness, the sheets can be cut with an ordinary sharp assembly knife, electric jigsaw, portable circular saw or Bulgarian. It is recommended to select the type of tool taking into account the thickness of the sheet and the volume of work. To prevent the appearance of microcracks during impact cutting cutting tools The sheet must be firmly fixed on both sides.

It is strongly recommended to drill holes between the ribs of cellular polycarbonate. The distance between the holes is at least 20 cm, the distance from the ends is more than 40 mm. The drill must be sharp and located at right angles to the surface.

Prices for popular models of screwdrivers

Screwdrivers

End sealing

The technology concerns only cellular polycarbonate. One of the disadvantages of this material is that dust gets into the honeycombs, then mosses and lichens begin to grow on it. The appearance of the coating deteriorates significantly; it is even theoretically impossible to clean the honeycombs. You have to either put up with the current situation or completely change the roof.

To prevent such negative phenomena, the upper open honeycombs should be tightly covered with special, especially strong self-adhesive tapes and additionally use decorative overlays. Bottom ends are closed perforated tape, through small holes the condensate that forms in the honeycombs due to temperature changes is removed. If there is below decorative elements, then it is recommended to drill small holes in them. Monolithic sheets do not have this problem.

Sheet orientation

The main condition is special protective layer from ultraviolet rays should be located on front side. Polycarbonate itself reacts very negatively to UV radiation. The service life is increased by using a special film, but it is very expensive and in order to reduce the cost of the material, it is glued only on one side. It is on this side that there is a protective polyethylene film with the manufacturer’s logo.

Cellular polycarbonate can only be bent along the direction of the honeycomb; the bending radius depends on the specific technical characteristics and is indicated in the manufacturer's instructions. Monolithic profiled sheets, on the contrary, can only be bent across the profiles.

Fixing sheets with hardware

To fasten the roof, it is recommended to use special self-tapping screws with thermal washers. Such elements eliminate the possibility of leaks and at the same time compensate for thermal expansion. It is strictly forbidden to use ordinary nails or self-tapping screws, to overtighten the fasteners, and not to leave gaps where the sheets join.

Rules for connecting panels with additional elements

These elements perform not only a decorative function, they are involved in creating a durable and airtight roof structure. Panels can be connected to each other using two methods:

• using one-piece profiles;
• using split profiles.

At junctions with vertical walls wall profiles are used. In each specific case, the master must make a separate decision on the optimal sealing method. You can use factory rubber bands and gaskets or seal the joints with modern sealants.

Step-by-step instructions for installing polycarbonate

Before starting work, you should make sure that all materials and tools are available, check the readiness and correctness of assembly. IN required quantity you should purchase special screws and sealing washers, end and side profiles, sealing tapes, etc. It is strongly recommended that you carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow their recommendations exactly.

Plan your work in such a way that everything preparatory operations were carried out on the ground, prepared slabs with the required dimensions and drilled holes must be supplied to the structure. This minimizes material losses, reduces time, improves quality and increases work safety.

Important. Never walk on cellular polycarbonate. During installation, decisions and technologies should be made that do not require the technician to move along the already installed roof.

Step 1. Prepare slabs of the required dimensions, unscrew along the entire perimeter with outside protective plastic film with the manufacturer's logo and carefully glue the end sealing tape. Cover the open honeycombs with end profiles and press them tightly into place. When adjusting the position, it is better to strike with your hand, but it is also possible to use a rubber mounting hammer.

When cutting slabs for arc covering, you need to keep in mind that the length of the arc is always greater than a straight line. It is recommended to pre-measure it with a tape measure; if this is not possible, then cut the sheets with a margin. Exact sizing will be done after installing the sheets on the frame. Keep in mind that the length of the connecting profiles on the arched frame is longer than the length of the slabs.

Step 2. Lay the first sheets on the roof, making sure that the internal stiffeners are strictly parallel to the direction of the slope of the slope. The slabs should be aligned along the top edge of the structure. The bottom edge should protrude slightly beyond the last run of the system.

Step 3. Firmly screw the base profile to the structure and check its position again. If everything is normal, then insert the first sheet into it and fix its position. To do this, you should use special hardware; the distance between the screwing points of the lower purlin is 15–50 cm. The diameter of the hole is approximately 1 mm larger than the diameter of the screw.

Step 4. After fixing the first sheet of polycarbonate, attach a clamping profile to its extreme side. Using the same algorithm, continue fixing the sheets along the entire length of the slope.

Step 5. Remove the protective film from the outside of the cover. As mentioned above, underneath there is a special layer that prevents ultraviolet rays from reaching the polycarbonate.

Important. Do not leave plastic film on surfaces for long periods of time; it becomes difficult to remove over time. And film residues have a negative impact on the appearance of the structure.

Prices for popular models of laser levels

Laser level

Is it possible to install polycarbonate in winter?

This issue worries a large number of developers. They want to reduce construction time as much as possible by performing some roofing works V winter period time. Moreover, manufacturers allow this option for installing polycarbonate.

1. It is difficult to predict the magnitude of thermal expansions. For example, if the dimensions of the gap between the slabs at sub-zero temperatures leave it within 1–2 mm, then in summer there is a high probability of warping of the coating.
2. Plasticity parameters decrease. The slabs become brittle and are more difficult to cut and drill. In addition, installation of the coating on semicircular structures becomes much more complicated.

Thermal expansion is an important factor to consider during installation.

A well-installed coating will be used without problems for a long period of time. To periodically clean surfaces from accumulated dirt, you need to use ordinary detergents. Acids, alkalis, chlorine and ammonia are prohibited. During maintenance, all measures should be taken to prevent mechanical damage to the protective film.

Video - Roofing polycarbonate

Laying roofing polycarbonate does not require professional skills or special equipment. Even a novice craftsman can cope with the installation of this material; the main thing is to carefully read the instructions. You can read about how to make a polycarbonate roof for a terrace yourself.