How To Install Polycarbonate Sheets On Roof

Suntuf Installation Guide and Tips

Installation of Suntuf is like shooting fish in a barrel when you lot plan the chore right!

Only keep our elevation installation tips in mind earlier yous beginning to install your new Suntuf production.

Fall, pitch or gradient?

Firstly, autumn.  A five degree fall is recommended as minimum for ensuring that it does not leak, remains clean and maintains structural integrity.

A good slope helps to movement water off the roof.  Flat roofs are more prone to h2o pooling (in sever cases) and leaking when the water cannot be dispersed quick plenty. Designing in a skilful fall is always important at the start of a projection.

All polycarbonate sheets are transparent (you tin see through them) or translucent (calorie-free comes through them only you tin't see through them clearly). This means that you will be able to encounter, to some degree, what is on height of them.  Leaves, dirt, grit, bird droppings, etc.  The better the fall on your roof the easier it will be for these things to fall off or wash off.

Almost manufactures recommend a minimum of five degrees (or 8.8%) fall.  This means for every metre the sheet runs horizontally it should driblet about 88 mm.

Spans – Where you will need your purlins

All profiled polycarbonate sheets require purlins or battens for fixing.  These structural lengths of timber or metal run perpendicular to the fall of the sheet – see the below image for a visual explanation.  Different profiles take different spanning capabilities.  The below spans are given for a standard N3 current of air rating, if y'all are in a high wind area you may require additional fixings and structure – phone call united states of america to hash out.

Corrugated 800 mm End Spans and  chiliad mm Mid Spans

Greca 900 mm End Spans and 1200 mm  Mid Spans

Trimdek 900 mm Cease Spans and 1200 mm  Mid Spans

Curving

Suntuf polycarbonate sheets can be common cold curved.  The shape of the canvass (the contour) will determine how tightly it can curve.  If you want to determine if a canvas can cold bend to to suit your construction you will demand to know the post-obit information:

The chord: the horizontal distance from 1 side of the roof to the other.

The height: the vertical distance from the imaginary horizontal chord line to the top of the noon.

See the below diagram.

Cut

We can cutting sheets to length for y'all costless of accuse.  Otherwise, sheets tin can be cut using a fine tooth round saw, a jigsaw, or even with a skilful pair of scissors.  When using power tools you will need to clamp the sheet as shut to the terminate every bit possible to cease vibration. Call up to permit for some overhang to ensure that water from the canvass volition fall into the gutter and not onto your construction.

Movement

All materials expand and contract when they heat upward and cool downwards, and polycarbonates move more than nigh roofing materials. This means that information technology is important to allow the sheet room to move a fiddling after it has been installed.  This is hands done by post-obit a few rules.

Firstly, drill an over-sized hole in the sheet for the screw fixing. Both Clearfix and OneShot branded screws have cutters embedded on the screw to salve you time in completing this stride – they cut the hole when you put the spiral in.

Secondly, by assuasive a modest gap between the ends of sheets and where they might come up against another object – similar a wall fascia. This isn't as important on the barge sides as the majority of the expansion will occur forth the length of the canvass.

Silicons

Every bit a dominion – they are not recommended.  Silicons can act as an adhesive which can terminate the sheet from moving (see to a higher place).  Some silicons can also impact the chemicals in the sheet which protect information technology from UV radiations.  If y'all can't avert it use a neutral cure or non-acidic silicon sparingly.  Be sure not to put information technology forth the length of the sheet where you will encounter the most expansions and wrinkle.

Accessories

Purlin tape can be used to stop creaking of the sheet with expansion and contraction. Equally the proper name suggests it is applied to the purlin prior to installing the canvass, and acts as  buffer.  It is particularly useful with painted purlins, where in hot weather the paint tin can get tacky and cause the sheet to stick and make more noise as it expands and contracts.

Flashings are used to seal the edges of the sheet.. At that place are a few unlike types that are common. Ridge capping is used to wink a gable at the pinnacle of the roof. Barge Flashing is used on the sides of the construction to encompass the edges of the canvass and sometimes protect the timber structure underneath. And Apron Flashing is used to seal between a vertical wall or fascia and the roof itself.  Y'all can become a number of these flashings in polycarbonate or accept them manufactured in metal.

Suntuf Flat Barge Flashing

Suntuf Flat Ridge Capping

Suntuf Profiled Ridge Capping

Suntuf Profiled Apron Flashing

Infills can be used between the canvass and any flashings or structure for weatherproofing.  Infills are available in the standard covering profiles: Corrugated, Greca or Trimdek (5-rib).  An infill may be used between the the sheet and the Apron flashing on the top edge of the roof, or between the purlin and the sheet at the gutter terminate of the sheet to weather seal.

Back channels are usually used when the top end of the canvass is being installed straight underneath a gutter.  A metal channel C- department is combined with cream to seal the end of the canvass in these circumstances.

Screws

We supply 2 brands of screws; Clearfix or Oneshot.

One Shot screws are available in either a timber T17 or a metal Tek.  When screwing into hardwood or larger gauge metals they are the spiral of choice.  They come with a cutter to pre-cutting a 10 mm expansion hole into the polycarbonate sheet, and a soft rubber washer to seal the big hole.

The Clearfix screw is a  dual purpose head – suitable for both timber and metal installations. They besides come with a cutter and washer to conform polycarbonate.

Storage

Shop Suntuf on a apartment surface away from direct light and moisture.

Cleaning

Warm soapy water, with a soft sponge.  Exist careful not to scratch the sheet. Rinse well.  Don't apply other chemicals.

Installing the Polycarbonate

The standard installation guide covers the bodily fixing of the sheets well.  Brand sure you lot read information technology.  Discover it hither… Suntuf Installation Guide.

Allow for the sail to overhang the lower purlin by fifty mm.

Sheets will arrive with labels showing 'This side up' and information technology is very of import to install the sheets in the correct orientation. A UV layer on the polycarbonate, protect the sheet from premature breakdown.  Put it up the wrong mode and y'all volition experience decreased life for your polycarbonate.

When screwing the sheets keep the spiral straight to ensure weather seal of washer. Don't over-tighten the screws.  If you're not using the branded screw mentioned in a higher place, be sure to pre-drill a ten mm holes in canvass.

Install the first sheet screwing along the 'lower (gutter) purlin' from the outside (Clomp side) towards the middle of the construction. Screw every other corrugation along the lesser purlin.  Install the sheets without stress – that is; don't pull, tension or twist the sheets.

Next move up to the next purlin screwing across the canvass in the aforementioned direction.  Place screws as per the below diagram and continue this for all the 'internal purlins' or 'mid purlins'.

Finally, Screw forth the pinnacle 'upper purlin' placing a screw every second corrugation.

Move along to the next sheet.  Utilise one corrugation side lap, ensuring the lap is confronting the primary management of wind/rain.  Finish the task by installing whatever required flashings.  Don't forget to remove any stickers or tapes from the sheet.

Thanks for looking at our Suntuf Installation Guide and happy installing!

Source: https://polycarbonate.com.au/suntuf-installation-guide-tips/

Posted by: carverdoely1938.blogspot.com

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