Things to Remember When Installing Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets
Polycarbonate roofing sheets make the perfect roof for structures such as decks or greenhouses. They allow filtered light in while keeping out the rain and other elements of nature. They can be sawed, drilled, and nailed without any damage and can be cleaned with most all purpose cleaners. They are also easily installed by those with reasonable carpentry skills. There are just a few things to keep in mind while installing your polycarbonate roof.
Typically it is recommended that a polycarbonate roof have a minimum ten degree pitch. This allows for adequte draining and prevents the need for other waterproofing measures.Otherwise flashing or other materials need to be used to protect the underlying wood structure.
Cutting polycarbonate roofing sheets is fairly easy also. Depending on the quality of the sheet, garden scissors or a fine tooth saw are all you will need to cut the sheets to size or make any adjustments. Of course, any time you are cutting any type of product, proper safety gear should be used. This included a mask if it produces any dust from the saw, goggles to protect you eyes from stray pieces of debris, and gloves to protect your hands.
The polycarbonate roofing sheets are easily attached with screws. The screws that are best for this process should be available where the roofing sheets are purchased. The retailer you purchase from should be able to help you choose the best type of screw for your particular application. Though the sheets attach with screws, holes should be drilled in advance where the screws will go to avoid spitting. The holes should be drilled 1/8 inch larger than the shaft of the screw to allow for expansion and contraction due to heat variations. The holes should be drilled in the high part of the corrugation. Most sheets should be fastened at every fourth corrugation. The exception would be at gutter, ridges and overlaps. There the recommended spacing is every two corrugations.
With a little bit of planning and a few general skills, a covered deck or greenhouse can be an easy Do-it-Yourself project that will add style, comfort, and value to your home.
