Polycarbonate is currently widely used in the construction industry. The material is made by moltening plastic granules and transmitting the resulting mass through a special form - die. As a result of this technology, sheets having a cellular structure are obtained, in which several polycarbonate sheets are connected by the longitudinal ribs. Polycarbonate is credited with universal quality, it is in the field of modern construction is the best substitute for glass. Consider the features of application and installation in this article.
Content
The use of polycarbonate
One of the applications of this material is the installation of roofs. Material is suitable for installation of roof structures of various shapes. This can be a gable, pent roof or tent polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate can be covered not only the roof of the dwelling, as it is a suitable option for the terraces. He will make it more comfortable and cozy. Decking Marketplace increases the usable area of \u200b\u200bthe house and at the same time, you can enjoy complete relaxation in nature. The roof terrace must be a continuation of the architectural ensemble of the main building. Mostly it is building without attic. The main function is to protect the roof decking area from the bright sun and rain. This task polycarbonate cope successfully.
Roof made of polycarbonate. Photo:
polycarbonate species
Make a roof made of polycarbonate can be of two of its varieties:
- The material used for monolithic type arrangement roofs curvilinear and planar forms. This polycarbonate has substantial advantages, in which the number is not inferior to the glass. But at the same time has a flaw that prevents its widespread use - is the high cost.
- Polycarbonate structured type, also referred to as a cell, is more accessible financially and therefore I received a lot of popularity. This material is also referred to as light transmitting plastic. The roof, made based on it, will allow to stay on a terraced site in hot weather, and do not feel discomfort from the sun.
The advantages of polycarbonate:
- high levels of thermal insulation;
- light weight, which simplifies the installation process;
- flexibility, allowing you to mount your own arched ceilings without the help of experts;
- resistance to various chemical influences;
- an extended period of operation - up to 20 years;
- low combustibility - material capable to contain the spread of fire in case of fire;
- ability to maintain operational properties at temperatures of -40 to + 120C.
What polycarbonate roof you choose?
Qualitative polycarbonate is based on the primary granules. But there are technical conditions that allow manufacturers to add products and secondary raw materials. The content of the latter component can reach 70% of the total weight of polycarbonate sheets. Such a material can be identified by low-cost, but at the same time it has low performance. Determine the quality products will help visual inspection:
- Qualitative sheet has a completely smooth surface.
- If bubbles, inclusions or other defects are observed on the material surface, or other defects are not recommended.
- Also in the process of choice, the weight of sheets should be focused. Polycarbonate for the roof, the thickness of which is 0.4 cm, should weigh 0.8 kg. The mass of sheets with a thickness of 1 cm equals 1.7 kg.
- You can find products with LIGHT marking, which indicates that the weight of the material is 15% less than the established norm. When working with these sheets, it is impossible to use standard methods for determining atmospheric loads. The situation is complicated by the fact that not all manufacturers put this labeling. You can distinguish such a material by its low cost.
- When purchasing, it is mandatory to pay attention to the presence of a protective film. Its function consists in protecting sheets from the negative effect of ultraviolet rays. If the polycarbonate does not have this coverage, it will lose its operational characteristics, without caring for one year.
- You should consider the thickness of the film. If this indicator does not exceed 35 microns, the material will last no more than 5 years. With a thickness of 60 microns, the sheets will retain their properties for 10 years.
- Determine the thickness of the protective coating can be familiar with the certificate that is attached to products. Visually to do it impossible.
In general, in terms of quality indicators, the material is divided into 4 categories:
- Premium, which is able to serve for 20 years;
- "Elite" - the service period is about 12 years;
- "Optimal" - maintains operational characteristics for 10 years;
- "Economical" will last for 5-8 years.
Mounting polycarbonate on the roof: General recommendations
- Polycarbonate requires special storage conditions. It should be only in a dry room.
- Before installing the cell, it is recommended to stick with adhesive aluminum ribbon or sealing agent. This will help avoid the accumulation of dust and moisture.
- If condensate is detected inside the material, it can be removed by blowing the sheets with compressed air.
- Before mounting, you do not need to remove the protective coating from the surface.
- Polycarbonate cannot be lowered by a polyester or metallized film, since the consequence of contact of these materials will be the formation of condensation. As a result, the film and sheets will lose operational qualities.
- In the process of installation work, it is impossible to step on polycarbonate. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the formation of cracks on the surface of the material. For movement, it follows the crate or rafters to equip special lathes.
- The roof of polycarbonate cannot be absolutely flat. The minimum allowable slope should be 5%.
- If the material is inserted into the frame, when designing their size, you need to consider the linear expansion coefficient. This indicator is determined based on sheet thickness.
- When working with the material, you can encounter the need to use not entire sheets, but separate fragments. This task is easily solved. Polycarbonate sheets are well separable, welding, gluing, drilling. For cutting, a jigsaw, a manual saw or hacksaw is used, and for the formation of the holes - an automatic or manual drill, equipped with a metal drill.
- Polycarbonate makes it possible to install roofs of non-standard forms. For this purpose, methods of cold, vacuum and thermal molding are used. When transporting and storing the material, mechanical exposure should be avoided.
The roof of polycarbonate should be performed with their own hands so that it is possible to freely remove the snow cover from its surface. Also, the design should have sufficient strength. The roof can be given the most diverse shape. Initially, the installation of the framework on which the sheets are installed. For frame structures, profile elements made of steel, aluminum or polycarbonate are used.
The last option has several advantages over the first two materials. The profiled polycarbonate for the roof allows you to mount the roof without visible zones of the connection. Also, this material has tightness, minor weight, high strength. At the same time, the visual effect of steaming over the roof building is created.
Polycarbonate profiles are divided into two types: detachable and delicate. Inside the polycarbonate material there are cavities. Sheets should be placed so that the location of the cavities is parallel to the direction of construction. If this condition is ignored, the material may be deformed during operation.
How to cover the roof polycarbonate with your own hands
For installation will be required:
- boards;
- bars with a cross section of 40-60 mm;
- hammer;
- axe;
- nails, screws, screws;
- saw;
- building level;
- screwdriver;
- scotch;
- polycarbonate sheets;
- mastic.
The installation process is performed in such a sequence of actions:
- Work begins with the installation of a frame design. For this purpose, you can use one of the three above-described types of profiles.
- Sheets have a standard width - 2, 10 m. The space between the beams should not be greater than this distance. In order to be able to stop several sheets, the gap between the rafters should be calculated in such a way that the location of the sheets of sheets is in the central part of the bar.
- The next step after mounting the rafter is the installation of the frame. In the case of the use of metal profiles, the end sides of the cropped sheets need to be stuck with scotch. This will avoid falling into the grocery and moisture.
- When using the polycarbonate profile, this is not necessary, since these profile elements are originally equipped with a special film. It prevents the penetration into the cells of the sheet, which opened due to trimming, various contaminants.
- If the collapsible profile, the installation is performed in the following order:
- initially, profile details are attached to the bars of the lower part;
- after that, the polycarbonate is mounted, on which the upper part of the frame structure is installed.
- The profile of an unbearable type is immediately attached to the rafters using self-tapping screws. On the data of the fasteners after 20-30 cm, thermoshairs are located to which polycarbonate sheets will be installed.
- Cover the roof polycarbonate in two ways. The first provides a point method in which fixation is carried out after 30 cm.
- According to the second, fixing profiles are used. The seams area must be treated with mastic. On sheets there is an inscription. It should be positioned on the frame so that the side with this inscription is directed upwards. There is a compensation space of 5 mm between sheets. Then the profile covers are fixed and the plugs are attached.
- Restricters are installed from the edges of the profile elements, which are fixed by rivets.
- At the last stage, the side parts, and the surface of the sheets are caught with scotch. This will help protect the material from the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation. For this purpose, the usual tape is suitable. The lower part also needs a protective coating. In this case, it will take perforated scotch, which will prevent insect penetration into the cavities.
Rules cutting and drilling
Cutting sheets on fragments must be made as accurately as possible, which avoid damage to the upper protective layer. This procedure is carried out by means of a circular saw or an electrolovka. It is important to choose the optimal speed. If cutting will be performed too slowly, it will be the cause of the formation of chips. Excessively high speed entail overheating and melting polymer. Sheets when cutting should not vibrate, it will lead to the appearance of microcracks.
If the mount is carried out by means of tapes, it is necessary to prepare holes in the sheets, the diameter of which should be 1-2 mm to exceed the size of the fasteners. For this use drill on non-ferrous metals. Self-tapping screws can not be twisted to the maximum. Sheets in temperature differences will move. The roof of the polycarbonate for the terrace should be installed with this condition.
Conclusion
Polycarbonate refers to innovative materials and is applied in the construction region relatively recently. But at the same time it is already actively used. Apply this material for various purposes, one of which is the installation of the roofs. It has all the properties necessary for roofing material. Installation of polycarbonate sheets does not require qualified knowledge. You can do it yourself, after reading the instructions.
Polycarbonate roof. Video:
