QA

How To Install Suntop Roof Panels

How do you cut polycarbonate Suntop foam?

To Cut Panels:Use either a circular saw with a plywood blade reversed. Support the sheets to avoid vibration and cut at slow speed. Up to five panels can be cut with a circular saw.

How do you join polycarbonate sheets?

To fuse polycarbonates, all you need are your sheets and Methylene Chloride. You could also use a 60-40% mixture of Methylene Chloride and Ethylene DiChloride. Combining these two will give a little longer curing time than using Methylene Chloride alone, thus allowing more time to get the parts in correct position.

What screws to use on polycarbonate sheets?

#9 x 1-1/4″ screws used to fasten corrugated polycarbonate sheets to wood base. 100 screws with neoprene sealing washers per bag.

How do you stop a polycarbonate roof from leaking?

The Effisus Easyrepair Tape is the ideal solution to seal joints on polycarbonate sheets. It creates a waterproof, moisture, and airtight barrier, with no additional sealing required. It has an exceptional adhesiveness to polycarbonate and is installed in a fast and easy process.

How do you drill holes in polycarbonate sheets?

Standard wood working drill bits are suitable for drilling holes in polycarbonate sheet. Be sure to use another piece of material (scrap wood or acrylic is perfect) underneath the panel to act as a backstop. This will ensure the drilling will not blowout the panel as the drill exits the material.

Can you cut Lexan with a Dremel?

This Processing Guide (PDF) has details on the sorts of blades you should use. It does say that you can mill Lexan with at bit more like the Dremel Router bits they recommend 25,000 – 30,000 RPM.

Which is better polycarbonate or PVC?

Polycarbonate is even stronger than PVC (apparently it’s almost impossible to break it, but we don’t want to tempt fate…). This means, of course, that it costs more. PVC has another advantage: polycarbonate can scratch, whereas PVC rarely does.

Can you cut corrugated plastic with scissors?

Corrugated plastic sheets are available in thicknesses from 2mm to 5mm and can be cut to size by the manufacturer or easily cut and trimmed on site using basic tools like a utility knife or scissors. This material is also flexible and bendable and can be shaped into totes, displays, or other dimensional items.

How much do you overlap polycarbonate sheets?

Only one corrugation overlap is required on sides of sheets. Do not stretch or force sheet to overlap. Cover long spans by overlapping sheets a min. of 4”.

Can you walk on a polycarbonate roof?

Plastic or polycarbonate roofing is usually considered non-trafficable. When it is necessary to walk on plastic sheets, you need to provide roof ladders or walk boards as a temporary crossing. Regardless of the roof type, walking on a roof can be dangerous. Tie off your ladder if you use one.

Can you walk on polycarbonate?

You should never walk on polycarbonate roofing unless it’s well-supported underneath. While polycarbonate roofing can sustain a lot of abuse, it’s not meant to support the weight of a person. The surface is slippery and you will likely fall. Further, you can dent and scratch it if you walk on it.

What is the best adhesive for polycarbonate?

Two-component acrylic glues are by far the best choice for gluing polycarbonate in structural applications. Depending on the exact application, and the service conditions for the bonded parts, there is a two-component acrylic adhesive to suit most applications.

What thickness polycarbonate should I use for roof?

The thicker polycarbonate sheets 25mm, 32mm and 35mm tend to be used externally for roofing applications, the thicker the sheet the better the heat and sound insulation. 16mm polycarbonate is light enough to be used for small jobs but also is also useful for certain roofing jobs.

Does polycarbonate crack when drilled?

Using the wrong type of bit can result in the tool grabbing as you are drilling, which can lead to chipping at the edge of the hole. That’s a real problem because chips can propagate into cracks. According to Alison Svoboda of Boda Corporation, “polycarbonate is “notch sensitive” so a sharp drill bit is imperative.

Do you pre drill polycarbonate?

When installing polycarbonate roofing, it is considered good practice to pre-drill the screw holes before fixing the sheets. This can speed up your installation work because they eliminate the need for pre-drilling. You must install the sheets with the UV-protected side facing the sun.

Can I use silicone on polycarbonate?

* Polycarbonate is generally compatible with silicone adhesives, however there exists a potential for stress cracking or crazing if the glazing is placed under stress during installation or if the sealant isn’t well ventilated due to elevated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contained in this sealant.

Does Flex Seal work on polycarbonate?

The Flex Seal Spray adheres to most surfaces, but unfortunately, it is not designed for polycarbonate. If you would like, you can test it on a small area, making sure it is dry and clean before applying the product. The Flex Seal Spray adheres to most surfaces, but unfortunately, it is not designed for polycarbonate.

Can you replace polycarbonate panels?

By simply replacing your polycarbonate conservatory roof with a glazed roof by Ultraframe, you will be rewarded with a whole host of benefits. These include improved heat retention, reduced solar heat gain, reduced noise, improved light transmission and a low maintenance solution.

Can a polycarbonate roof be repaired?

The two solutions available that will allow you to retain a polycarbonate roof are repair or replacement. If the holes are much bigger or there are many holes, such as in the aftermath of a hail storm, then you may need to consider roof panel replacement.