How to cover a round roof with polycarbonate with your own hands. DIY greenhouse with a gable roof. Joining profile systems

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 of 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, different materials are chosen. The coating can be

• polyethylene film,
• glass,
• polycarbonate sheets.

Polyethylene

This is the cheapest of the listed materials; it is used for summer greenhouses. Polyethylene film It transmits and scatters 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 are used, metallic 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 thick greenhouse polycarbonate. The disadvantage of this material is 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's 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 Sun rays 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 water drainage gable 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 of the 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 posts 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 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. A rubber gasket must be placed between the screw head and the sheet. 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

For year-round cultivation For vegetables and herbs, the greenhouse must be illuminated and heated, because plants need 12-16 hours of daylight.

Metal halide or LED lamps are best for plants, although they are quite expensive. Mercury lamps are also suitable, 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 fit the spectrum, but their heat output 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 home heating system.

First, let's say a few words about polycarbonate. It is a transparent polymer plastic. It is produced from polymer granules using the extrusion method. It has good performance characteristics, which have made its use in construction popular. This is a wide variety of colors, light weight, easy installation, long service life. Polycarbonate is available in two types: monolithic and cellular.

About the material

Monolithic polycarbonate is a transparent sheet of plastic without internal voids. Outwardly it looks like ordinary glass. Has good impact resistance properties. Cellular polycarbonate consists of two panels connected by jumpers. Today, many property owners try to lay polycarbonate themselves. Polycarbonate is predominantly used at the interface between the external and interior design premises.

In addition, having high light transmittance, polycarbonate has become an indispensable material in the construction of summer cafes, transport stops, gazebos, greenhouses, terraces, balconies, and the list goes on. How to properly lay polycarbonate on a canopy , You can find out by understanding some questions.

Rules for laying polycarbonate

Working with polycarbonate is quite simple. It attaches easily with other materials different ways. It could be special glue, special rivets, melting method. Let's look at a few rules that will help you learn how to lay polycarbonate on a canopy.

1. At the design stage, correctly calculate required thickness panels. Correctly selected panel thickness will save on the frame in the future.
2. Choose the right light transmittance. In the southern regions, you can select polycarbonate with low light transmittance, while in northern regions using such a panel will result in a lack of daytime color.
3. Protect polycarbonate sheets from direct mechanical influences. Remove the protective film after complete installation.
4. You should never over-tighten polycarbonate fasteners.
5. Before starting installation work, it is necessary to keep the material dry warm room for several days.
6. Vapor-proof materials cannot be laid on the surface of polycarbonate. The condensation that forms may damage the mount.
7. When arranging roofs, remember the minimum permissible slope should not be less than 5 degrees.

Installing a canopy with polycarbonate yourself

Once we have a construction plan, a shape has been chosen and the material has been selected, we can begin the installation process. To do this, you need to prepare a tool.

• building level, tape measure;
• drill and metal drills;
• in the manufacture of a metal frame, it is necessary welding machine and professional welder;
• grinder, for cutting products of the required sizes from the profile.

First of all, you need to clear the canopy area of ​​all foreign objects, and make markings. Determine the places where the poles for the canopy will be installed. For this purpose, for each load-bearing post We make a hole for pouring concrete. Having placed the pillars in the holes, pour concrete. After the concrete has hardened, usually after a couple of days, we begin to install the frame for the canopy. All metal parts must be treated with an anti-corrosion solution, primed, and painted. After drying, the most important process, polycarbonate fastening.

There are many ways to lay polycarbonate over a canopy; first, let’s consider the method of laying and fastening with screws. To implement it, only minimal skills are required. Let's mark it on sheets required dimensions, and carry out cutting using a grinder. This process must be done without removing the protective film. The sheet is mounted on the frame protective side up. Typically, a protective film is applied to this side at the factory.

When using an arched structure, polycarbonate sheets can only be bent along the channel line. The polycarbonate is attached to the frame using stainless steel bolts or self-tapping screws, and the fastening spacing will be 35-45 cm. Special thermal washers are often used for fastening. They have a diameter of 30 mm, and a silicone coating that allows the connection to be sealed.

Often used to connect polycarbonate with other materials such as plastic, wood, and metal. special adhesives. So, for connecting polycarbonate to metal, epoxy glue is more suitable for you. Silicone adhesives are used when exposed to a wide range of temperatures from -45 to +125 degrees.

There are many different adhesives, which can be used to glue polycarbonate materials, but try not to use adhesives that contain solvents. Such adhesive may damage the polycarbonate.

A little more about installation

Polycarbonate is one of the most convenient materials, which is used for the construction of greenhouses, canopies, canopies and other extensions to the house. This material has a number of positive qualities:

• long service life;
• resistance to damage;
• heat resistance;
• flexibility;
• ability to transmit light;
• ability to retain heat;
• relatively light material;
• very easy to use;
• has an aesthetic appearance.

In order for a structure made from this polymer to serve you for many years, you need to know about the nuances of working with this material.

Polycarbonate comes in two types:

1. Monolithic. This type is durable organic glass, which does not break. It is mainly used for greenhouses and conservatories.
2. Cell phone. It consists of sheets with cavities inside them that increase thermal insulation properties. It is able to block the body of the sun, while having high transparency. This type is used in the manufacture of canopies, canopies, and arches.

Rules for working with polycarbonate:

1. When cutting polycarbonate sheets, it is recommended to use a construction knife if the plate thickness is no more than 8 millimeters. If the polymer is thicker, then you should use a circular saw with fine teeth.
2. If the structure is intended for rolling snow, then the sheets should be laid along the slope, and the arched structures should be bent in the direction of the ribs.
3. The sheets must be cut on a hard surface. This will ensure smooth, jagged edges.
4. To drill holes, use an electric drill with special metal drills. The holes must be located between the stiffeners. This will ensure good condensate drainage.
5. Polycarbonate sheets must be positioned so that the honeycombs are in vertical position. If they are placed horizontally, moisture will accumulate in them, which will cause them to bloom. Even if the top of the honeycomb is covered with heat-resistant tape, the holes for fastenings will still let water through, which will accumulate in the horizontal honeycombs. In sheets laid vertically, water will simply roll down, thereby flowing out.
6. With a sheet thickness of 10 millimeters, the distance between fasteners should be no more than 50 centimeters; with a larger plate thickness, the distance can be increased to 80 centimeters.
7. Polycarbonate roof sheathing must also meet a number of conditions. The flatter the roof, the smaller the pitch of the sheathing should be. Since not only rainfall, but also snow can accumulate on it, which can often cause the polycarbonate sheet to push through. The optimal roof angle is fifty degrees. If possible, it is better to use an arch-shaped roof. It has the ability to withstand heavy loads. When making an arch from a polymer 16 mm thick, you don’t need to use lathing at all, but the rafters should be located at a distance of 2 m 30 cm from each other.

But it should also be taken into account that polycarbonate coating has a number of significant disadvantages:

1. Weather precipitation in the form of hail can penetrate a polycarbonate roof, so it is better to choose sheets that are covered with a protective film. They have more high price, but this is easily compensated by the lack of costs for replacing individual sheets.
2. Polycarbonate is a plastic; its disadvantage is its high coefficient of thermal expansion.
3. The surface is easily scratched, so the protective film from the sheets should be removed only after all installation work.

Polycarbonate has become a good replacement for wood, metal and glass. It has a good margin of safety, protection from ultraviolet radiation. It has good plastic properties. Can be used in thermal protection. And the wide variety of colors makes it an indispensable material for designers.

If you have been wanting to do this for a long time lean-to canopy, but lack experience, then study our article on how to do it right on one's own.

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 with the highest degree 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. Arrange a transparent polycarbonate roofing it is possible above any structure, including above a residential building, a cold attic, above a balcony area, terrace, veranda - wherever daylight will not be superfluous.

Properties of polycarbonate

Since any roof must meet certain requirements, the material for its installation must have the appropriate 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 chips and splinters in case of possible damage;
• 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, in the summer heat and at the most low temperatures in winter it will serve the same;
• 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 of the flat roof is so sufficient that snow cannot 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 the upper part of the house in the form of a pyramid, prism, dome, 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.

You can create the foundation for constructing a polycarbonate roof with your own hands from aluminum or aluminum profiles. 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 only need to take quality material, since the reliability of the operation of polycarbonate sheets and the appearance of the building depend on the strength of the rafters. Therefore, it is best to use a beam with a cross-section of 40-60 cm or a metal profile for the frame. Enhance roof structure You can install 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 on 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 lies on finished frame and is attached using a point technique 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 cutting tool, and this could be a jigsaw and 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, 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 from polycarbonate is not enough, you need to know how to secure it, you should never 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 a flat surface, while trying not to damage the protective film on the polycarbonate sheets. If it is removed earlier, debris or even very small plastic particles may get inside the hollow channels, which will then need to be removed either with compressed air or by shaking out the sheets themselves, which, given their size, is quite problematic.

To make a polycarbonate roof with your own hands, you need... If you put polycarbonate on the roof across the honeycomb, then inside there will be...

Building a lean-to polycarbonate roof: analysis of the nuances and subtleties of construction technology

In many of its qualities, modern polycarbonate roofing is not only not inferior to traditional pitched roof coverings, but even surpasses them! Lightweight, environmentally friendly, easy to install and light-diffusing. The fashion for the sky, which can be seen through the roof, already exists all over the world. We dreamed of such a ceiling in own home, favorite workshop or new veranda? Are you inspired by new architectural fads? Then all you have to do is figure out how a pitched roof under polycarbonate is constructed - and everything will work out! And you will be surprised how durable and aesthetically pleasing the roof will be, which will be no worse than the glossy samples from magazines about country construction.

Pros and cons of polycarbonate as a roofing material

You will be interested to know that such a popular and familiar polycarbonate was born completely by accident! One day, a German scientist mixed the ingredients needed for the experiment in a new way, and a dense transparent sediment settled at the bottom of the flask. This is where they began to make new translucent structures. They differed in that they weighed 6 times less than glass, but were stronger.

And modern roofing polycarbonate is valuable for the following qualities:

• Does not emit toxic substances.
• Does not support combustion, is difficult to ignite.
• It is light in weight.
• Simply cut and processed.
• Easily bends into the desired shape.
• Flexible and easily bears the weight of snow.
• It is heat-resistant and does not change its properties in hot weather and severe frost.
• Available in a variety of colors.

And as a material for a pitched roof it has the following additional advantages:

• Excellent sound absorption. That is why today it is actively used as an acoustic screen along busy highways - to reduce harmful noise for residential buildings. Those. under such a roof it will be not only warm, but also quiet.
• One side has protective layer from ultraviolet radiation, and the second - with reflective particles. Moreover, the material reflects up to 60% of sunlight, which significantly reduces the thermal load of the entire building in hot weather. This means that you won’t have to purchase air conditioners.
• Virtually indestructible: extreme impact resistance ranges from 900 to 1100 kJ/m2, while the strongest polystyrene has only 10 kJ/m2.

And to give roofing polycarbonate necessary qualities, modern manufacturers cover sheets with special films:

• Anti-condensation film. With this coating pitched roof under polycarbonate will not collect moisture on the inner surface.
• UV film. This type of UV protective coating protects the sheet from clouding and yellowing.

Ultraviolet protection is applied to polycarbonate using the co-extrusion method in the factory. A new level technical progress in this area – polycarbonate roofing sheets with double ultraviolet protection. They have the highest wear resistance - only 4 delta yellowing index units, compared to 10 for conventional sheets.

Of course, roofing polycarbonate has its disadvantages, some of which are quite serious:

• Collects static electricity.
• It is not always designed for the point pressure of the weight of the person doing the repairs.
• In the event of a fire, it melts and drips hot drops onto everything in the room.

But regarding the last point, we note that in the event of a fire, very little remains unharmed. Therefore, refuse fashionable polycarbonate roof It's not worth it because of this.

And we note that the quality and properties of roofing polycarbonate are getting better every day. New shades of toning appear and new additives are introduced that block the amount of glare, and as a result, the sunlight that passes through the sheet is cleaner. And what else is to come!

Types of modern roofing polycarbonate

But let's first figure out what kind of polycarbonate you can use for roofing.

Monolithic polycarbonate

Monolithic polycarbonate is a solid plate with a thickness of 2 to 12 mm. It is much stronger than glass, but at the same time much lighter, which is why it tops the rating of modern vandal-proof plastics.

Produced monolithic polycarbonate for roofs in molded or corrugated form.

Profiled monolithic polycarbonate

Corrugation is a profile that we see in the form of a wave-like shape or a square outline. It's not only beautiful! A carefully selected profile makes this material 2-3 times stronger, plus rainwater rolls off much more easily. But attaching one to the roof, of course, is more difficult - you will have to use additional silicone supports.

Modern roofing polycarbonate sheets are produced mainly in three types of sections:

Moreover, working with corrugated polycarbonate is no more difficult than with cellular or monolithic ones.

Profiled monolithic polycarbonate has many more advantages than sheet polycarbonate:

• Higher strength, like a metal profile.
• Service life up to 30 years.
• High wear resistance.
• Transparency level up to 92%.
• Easy to install and handle.
• High plasticity.
• Light weight - only 1.7 kg per square meter.
• Wide range of colors.
• Resistance to temperature changes, burnout and adverse precipitation.

And finally, aesthetic appeal!

Individual corrugated sheets are produced in shades of grey, bronze, milky white and opal: these provide excellent protection against harmful effects ultraviolet rays. This means that under such a roof various materials will fade and deteriorate less.

Cellular polycarbonate

Cellular polycarbonate, which is slightly less transparent than monolithic, is also valuable as a roofing covering. But it has an important function - scattering rays. You will choose just such a roof covering if, for example, you are building winter Garden or a greenhouse: direct rays burn the tender leaves of plants. The same applies to economic and storage facilities– not a single item will last under the scorching sun.

Diffused light is also considered more valuable due to the fact that it penetrates more into the dark corners of the room and does not give such nasty things as fungi and mold a chance to live there. But how does this happen? The fact is that monolithic polycarbonate has a holistic and transparent structure, and therefore the light beam that passes through it only slightly changes its angle, and that’s all. And a cell phone is made not only of horizontal planes - it has many vertical partitions. As a result, the passing beam is divided into thousands of smaller ones, each with its own angle. This is diffused light.

Cellular polycarbonate for roofs is produced today in the following types according to the type of internal structure:

• Single-chamber standard, with a thickness from 4 to 10 mm.
• Two-chamber standard, with sheet thickness of 16 mm.
• Reinforced, reinforced, but with a thickness of 4-6 mm.
• Four-chamber, with a sheet thickness of 25 mm.

Cellular polycarbonate consists of two panels, which are interconnected by stiffening ribs. Therefore, in fact, most of the cellular polycarbonate is air.

Internal stiffening ribs give polycarbonate special strength, thanks to which it can easily withstand severe wind and snow loads. The range of extreme temperatures is from -20° to +80°C. What other roofing covering boasts similar parameters?

Cellular polycarbonate, the honeycombs of which are filled with airgel - the new kind products. It has high impact resistance and thermal insulation, which surpassed triple-glazed windows with argon.

Choosing the thickness of roofing sheets

Any polycarbonate is not suitable for you. The fact is that construction market today offers PC sheets itself different thicknesses– both for greenhouses and for glazing with increased load. Therefore, when choosing polycarbonate for a roof, proceed from what exactly you want to cover.

Sheets 4-6 mm thick are the most fragile. They are used for greenhouses and greenhouses, advertising stands and small translucent roof inserts:

Sheets 6-8 mm thick can already be safely used for the roof of a gazebo and a small outbuilding, awnings and glazing of the ends of a pitched roof. Working with it is as easy as shelling pears:

Polycarbonate 10 mm thick is usually used for vertical glazing in order to create a noise-absorbing barrier. This polycarbonate will be an excellent transparent wall in the attic under a pitched roof.

PC sheets with a thickness of 16 to 32 mm are used where there will be increased load: for the roofs of private houses, production premises And winter gardens. And for the roof of the house, of course, you will need polycarbonate with a thickness of 16 mm and above. But don’t think that it’s better for them to finish everything at once: both the ends and the complex parts. The fact is that the thicker the PC sheet, the denser and stiffer it is, and the greater the load it can withstand, but its flexibility has already been reduced significantly.

We don’t particularly take wind loads into account, because... The pitched roof has a low windage area.

What kind of rafter system is needed?

As rafters for a pitched polycarbonate roof, we advise you to use both wooden blocks, and square pipes and rectangular shape. Here detailed master class such construction:

But remember that minimum slope polycarbonate pitched roof - 10%.

Which fasteners and profiles to choose

Unlike ordinary, more traditional types of roofing, where everything is prosaic and the method of fastening is indicated by the manufacturer, you will have to tinker with polycarbonate. And first of all, you need to decide how exactly it will be more profitable to connect the sheets together.

Profiling systems

These are made from polycarbonate or aluminum. The profiling systems are two structural connecting elements that close the ends of the slabs using bolts and sealants. And today special profiles are sold for polycarbonate roofs:

• UP - end. Naturally, the ends of roofing sheets are sealed with this profile.
• PSK or PSB – connecting. They connect panels in the same horizontal plane.
• RP – ridge. They connect panels in a gable roof.
• HP is a one-piece profile that is used for mounting small planes and arches. Those. You will make such a fastening only once, and later you will not be able to remove it.
• SP and HCP are split profiles that are used for the installation of pitched roofs and their vertical parts.
• PT is an end profile for polycarbonate, which has an improved design. There is already a drip and a drainage channel, thanks to which the outflow of water is improved.

And all these profiles differ in the material from which they are made.

Polycarbonate profiles

Take polycarbonate ones if it is vital for you maximum transparency roof and under no circumstances should there be any shadows there. Quite a life situation, by the way. In the modern world of design and architecture, for example, it has become fashionable to make the attic absolutely transparent, from where you can see everything - both the sky and the city. And equip the inside Personal Area, a small gym for all family members or a mini-bar for frequent gatherings with friends.

Aluminum profiles in this case will look terrible - like prison bars, and, of course, will ruin the entire aesthetics. It is for such design whims that transparent polycarbonate profiles were developed, which are almost invisible. And at the same time, we note that they are quite durable:

Such profiles, of course, are not load-bearing, but they can be bent as easily as polycarbonate itself. Plus, they heat up under the sun much less than aluminum ones, while having additional ultraviolet protection.

Aluminum profiles

Aluminum profiles are indispensable if you plan to build an unusual or architecturally complex roof. Such profiles provide excellent tightness and meet all reliability requirements. Therefore, if snow and wind loads are above average in your area, it is better to use such a mount.

The advantages of an aluminum profile include its length - more than 6 meters. This means that you can easily use this profile for large structures, without any joints.

An aluminum profile is also suitable for the roof. facade system" It has a special decorative cover that covers the profile and thus masks the screws. The roof itself is factory painted in a color according to the RAL table, and therefore you can use either white or colored roofing, adding a bright accent to the design of the entire house.

But for aluminum profiles it will be necessary to use special EPDM seals, which will protect the roofing polycarbonate from transferring heat to the aluminum parts and protect against moisture getting inside. These seals are installed using a rubber hammer and a roller shutter.

Special thermal washers

Simple roofing screws Polycarbonate cannot be fixed - there are special thermal washers for this. What is their difference? The fact is that polycarbonate is a mobile material, subject to thermal expansion and contraction. And under ordinary self-tapping screws, the fastening points will eventually become covered with cracks, which will gradually increase:

All these rubber spacers and neoprene discs are necessary to ensure that the cellular polycarbonate does not get squeezed. If this happens, then rain or melt moisture will easily get inside the panel, and this is already a round of new problems.

Note that the lion's share special seals that are used are made of elastomer. This material behaves well in terms of thermal expansion and ensures complete tightness of the connections. For a roof, these parameters are especially important, you will agree:

Another important task that thermal washers for polycarbonate are designed to solve is getting rid of the so-called cold bridges. We are talking about places through which cold penetrates into the structure and where, due to temperature differences, condensation forms directly on the surface of the sheet. And thermal washers allow you to give the entire structure a finished and aesthetic look. A special snap-on lid hides the screws, and the color of the washers does not stand out against the background of the entire sheet.

Moreover, such washers are sold in two types:

1. Polycarbonate washers. Frost-resistant, last 10 years or more, perfectly match polycarbonate in color. An additional advantage is that they are equipped with a special four-circuit sealing ring made of elastomer.
2. Polypropylene washers. They last about 2 years, they are afraid of ultraviolet radiation, which makes them brittle. The color of the washers does not always match the shade of the tinted polycarbonate roof. But it’s more affordable, if that’s important to you.

Of course, polycarbonate washers are more suitable for building a roof from the same material. But it is also important to attach them correctly:

• Step 1. Select the mounting location. This must be done slowly and carefully, because the “random” hole will also have to be closed with the same washers. At least aesthetically you will lose.
• Step 2. Calculate the distance between the washers - for this we have presented a detailed table for you below.
• Step 3. Select the diameter of the hole.
• Step 4. Screw on the washer. This must be done accurately, not too loosely and not too tightly, so as not to press the washer. Just make sure that the sealing material does not stick to the sheets.

A screwdriver will help to secure such a washer:

Sealing tapes

All lower edges of installed roofing sheets must be covered with aluminum tape and UP profile. And not with a simple aluminum tape, but with a perforated one, which is capable of releasing condensate that has accidentally accumulated in the honeycombs. Why are holes also required to be pre-drilled in the UP profile?

Where the next panel overlaps along the wave of the sheet, use sealing tape, as well as along the fixation lines of the lower and upper overlap.

So, step by step:

• Step 1. At the top of the wave, drill holes for screws - 10 mm each.
• Step 2. Now in drilled holes fasten the screws on the left side.
• Step 3: Drive screws into every other wave, starting at the bottom beam.
• Step 4: Now attach screws to every third wave.
• Step 5. Start fastening the last, topmost sheet on the left side.
• Step 6. Fix the side overlaps of the sheets every 30 cm.

Here's more detail:

Roofing sealant

When installing a polycarbonate roof, be sure to use a special roofing sealant. Moreover, you need to purchase one that is intended specifically for this material, because... they are produced on a neutral basis and do not destroy the polycarbonate itself. Sealant will be needed to seal all joints and fastenings of the transparent roof.

Secrets and subtleties of technology from the pros

So, we figured out a little about the sheathing. Now let's move on to working with sheets. You cannot step on the polycarbonate itself during its installation, so make special platforms.

In this case, you need to work only at positive temperatures, not lower than -5°C, so that cracks from the fastening do not appear. The fact is that roofing polycarbonate itself can easily withstand cold down to -20°C, but unless holes are drilled in it at that moment.

Otherwise, it is important to adhere to certain rules:

How to work with polycarbonate roofing sheets?

Roofing polycarbonate can be cut using either conventional cutting or a laser. But these are already machine operations, where the laser power and cutting speed are adjusted in the factory. But with this method, the edges of the cut will no longer be transparent - either white or brown, depending on the cutting speed.

To drill through polycarbonate sheets, you will need high-speed drill bits, either designed for metal or with a carbide insert. This is the only way to maintain the sharpness of the cut edges of the sheets.

And one more point: during drilling, any tool heats up the polycarbonate. Therefore, if you want the drilled holes to be clean and not melted, then work with the sheets not in the hot sun, but in a cool workshop - at least. It is ideal if you can cool the polycarbonate a little in advance - but not below zero temperature, so that there is no cracking. In general, do everything you can to reduce the amount of heat generated while working on your roof.

All this is really important. After all, incorrectly made holes in polycarbonate for the roof are a whole problem. This only doesn’t really interfere in a greenhouse if water flows through the fastenings onto the plants when it rains, but for a residential building, as you understand, this doesn’t bode well.

How to properly secure sheets to the roof?

Try to use not too long panels for the roof - only up to 7 meters. In this case, always lay polycarbonate sheets with ultraviolet protection towards the top. The easiest way to cut polycarbonate is with a hacksaw with fine teeth and a circular saw.

Always make the overlap length 200 mm, 100 mm for each sheet from the fixation line on the support. Place the last fixation line within 50-100 mm. If you are making a monolithic polycarbonate roof, be sure to leave gaps in the frames to accommodate thermal expansion.

There are also special silicone linings for fastening with thermal washers for profiled polycarbonate. For wavy ones:

And for trapezoidal polycarbonate they are:

Are connecting profiles required?

But few people know that roofing polycarbonate sheets can also be glued together, and not just connected with special profiles. So, it is only important to follow just a few rules:

1. Clean the ends of the sheets from any contamination, especially subtle dust.
2. All surfaces of future glued ends must be smooth and even.
3. The varnish or solvent used should not thicken or change its appearance.
4. The room where you do all this should have as low a humidity as possible.
5. Use low-active varnishes - this is the only way to avoid bleaching.
6. The glued surfaces must remain under pressure until final curing.
7. Be sure to wear personal respiratory protection.

The easiest way to clean polycarbonate sheets is with isopropyl or methyl alcohol, or mild soap solutions.

If you decide to make a rather complex shed roof from polycarbonate, you will also need welding in the process. You will process it finished parts. Thus, welding with a hot pad (300°C) will help to achieve strength in the joints of the sheets, and welding with hot air with a welding rod (120°C) will pre-dry these welded areas. Ultrasonic welding is also used, with processing at 20 kHz in the range of 25-40 microns.

And finally, you will need to sand down any unsightly parts. The easiest way to do this is to use silicon sandpaper with a grit of 400 or 600.

What about the ventilation of such a roof?

So, you have chosen polycarbonate, you have drawn up a roof design, and now it’s time to think about ventilation of the under-roof space. The fact is that in the case of a pitched roof, ventilation is not often thought about at all, even dormer windows are not always placed. And this, when using polycarbonate as a roofing material, will lead to its overheating, which in the heat can even cause some parts to change shape slightly.

Moreover, you should not give up partial insulation of a pitched polycarbonate roof:

As you can see, everything is simple! Got new ideas? Go for it!

Do-it-yourself shed roof under polycarbonate: instructions, diagrams, drawings

Everything about the types and work with roofing polycarbonate: fasteners, insulation, profile selection and even insulation. How to properly build a pitched roof under polycarbonate -

DIY polycarbonate roof

Polycarbonate is a modern material often used in construction for the construction of partitions, walls, curtain walls and decorative elements. Polycarbonate has also become widespread as a roofing covering. Roofs of houses, gazebos, open terraces, awnings and canopies over the entrance. A polycarbonate roof allows you to realize the most daring ideas thanks to the features of this material.

DIY polycarbonate roof

The advantages of polycarbonate include:

• Low weight with high mechanical strength;
• Ability to transmit light;
• Wide range of shades and color solutions;
• Original and elegant appearance;
• Ease of installation and processing;
• Polycarbonate does not rust, is not destroyed by chemicals and microorganisms, and is resistant to temperature changes if installed correctly.

Polycarbonate also has disadvantages. One of them is instability to UV radiation if the protective layer is damaged, so during installation it is necessary to monitor the integrity of the protective film and remove it only after completion of all work. Another feature of polycarbonate that should be considered carefully is its high coefficient of thermal expansion. It is necessary to install polycarbonate using special self-tapping screws through pre-drilled holes of larger diameter. Otherwise, when the temperature changes, the material may deform.

Types of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is divided into monolithic and cellular. Monolithic polycarbonate has high strength and has a standard thickness from 2 to 12 mm. The dimensions of the monolithic polycarbonate sheet are 2.05x3.05 meters. Its area of ​​application is roofs of various configurations that experience heavy snow and wind loads. Monolithic polycarbonate with a thickness of 12 mm is considered vandal-proof and can withstand a hammer blow without the slightest damage.

Cellular polycarbonate has significantly less weight due to its cellular structure: the sheet consists of two or more thin sheet polycarbonate, connected by stiffening ribs along the entire length of the sheet. This material structure allows for high mechanical strength at low weight. Arched structures, domed roofs and other complex elements are made from cellular polycarbonate. Cellular polycarbonate can be either transparent or matte and has a wide range of shades. Standard thickness is from 4 to 32 mm, sheet dimensions are 2.1 x 6.1 or 2.1 x 12.1 meters.

Materials for making the frame

The polycarbonate roof frame can be made from various materials. The decisive factor in the choice is the basic style of the building and the expected weight of the structure, taking into account the snow load. In wooden buildings, when making a straight roof, a rafter system made of wooden bars or boards is used, on which transverse lathing and polycarbonate sheets are laid. This design fits perfectly into general style and gives the structure lightness, volume and light.

Arched structures of canopies, verandas, as well as domed roofs are usually made on a frame made of aluminum or steel profiles. Steel is used for bulky structures and high snow load. For light buildings, a lightweight aluminum profile is sufficient. For arches of large radius, additional supports and struts, transverse stiffeners from the profile are also used.

The polycarbonate is fastened to the profile using special self-tapping screws with a sealing washer. The joints of the sheets are connected using an H-shaped profile for polycarbonate.

Direct polycarbonate roof: implementation technology

A straight polycarbonate roof is usually used when constructing open terraces, gazebos, small garden houses. Choosing polycarbonate as a roofing covering allows you to get natural light, create a feeling of lightness and open space. At the same time, such a roof cannot be properly insulated without losing its transparency, therefore it is of little use for buildings used in winter.

1. A straight polycarbonate roof can be of any design: single-pitch, gable or hip. The rafter system depends on the type of roof. Rafters for this lightweight material How polycarbonate can be made from boards 40 mm thick. The wood is treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant solutions; if desired, it can be given a certain shade.
2. The pitch between the rafters must be selected based on standard width sheet so that the distance between the bars is the same, and the joints of the sheets fall on the rafters. The transverse lathing is made from 50x20 mm bars, cutting them into the rafter board laid at the end.

Straight polycarbonate roof

Arched polycarbonate roof

Arched roofs are most often performed during the construction of canopies, canopies, summer gazebos. They are extremely simple in design, and the most challenging task is to make arcs from a profile or square pipe. Actually, the difficulty is to bend it evenly around the entire circumference, and for this it is better to use a template.

Do-it-yourself polycarbonate roof - step-by-step method!

Find out more about what a polycarbonate roof is and how to make it yourself. Detailed methods and videos will help you figure it out.

Having studied the properties and characteristics of the material, the question arises: is it possible to use polycarbonate as a roofing material? Its structure has good transmission qualities, has valid values strength qualities. However, when choosing, you should also take into account negative sides. For a complete analysis, you should familiarize yourself with the operational and technical features use of polycarbonate roofing.

Features of the material

At the first stage, it is necessary to find out what this material is? For its production, polymer granules are used, which go through the stages of heating, forming a plastic mass and giving it the desired shape using extrusion. The result is a cellular or monolithic structure.

To use it as a roofing material, you need to familiarize yourself with its positive qualities.

• Low specific gravity. Depending on the thickness and structure, it can range from 1.7 to 3.5 kg/m2. This helps reduce total weight structures and, as a result, a reduction in the dimensions of racks and joists.
• Simple processing. Unlike glass, polycarbonate is easy to cut and does not leave chips around the edges. In some cases, the technology involves grinding them, which can be done using fine-mesh abrasives.
• Possibility of bending. The flexibility of polycarbonate has become a major factor in its use for manufacturing arched structures complex shape.
• Affordable price.

However, along with this it is necessary to take into account negative points use of this polymer material. First of all, this is thermal expansion. When the heating level increases above 40 degrees, the overall dimensions of the sheet increase. Taking this fact into account, you can only use special types fastenings that compensate for this phenomenon.

Also, many experts note the low resistance of polycarbonate to small scratches on the surface.

To avoid this, outer part It is recommended to apply a protective film to the roof. It will prevent deterioration in appearance and also protect the structure from exposure to sunlight.

UV radiation may cause color changes.

Roof structure

It is important to first decide appearance roofs. Depending on this, a certain scheme for its arrangement is selected. Currently, two types of construction are used - arched and pitched. They perform the same functions of protecting from weather factors, but differ in shape.

Sloping

This is the traditional external roof shape. It represents one or more planes located at an angle relative to load-bearing elements and each other. In this case, the polycarbonate does not need to be bent, which reduces labor costs.

This design has the following advantages.

• Simple installation of both polycarbonate sheets and main components.
• Optimal material consumption.
• Uniform distribution of the snow cap load.

For gable roof It is important to properly arrange the ridge - the junction of two planes. Therefore, it is best to use special aluminum profiles.

Arched

This type of polycarbonate roofing is more popular than pitched roofing. This is due to the possibility of bending the sheet. Making a frame takes more time and money. Roofing polymer coating should fit snugly arched trusses. Exceptions include: small area. It does not require a sheathing.

Let's look at the main components of the frame.

• Racks

A load-bearing sub-lattice is installed on them, on top of which polymer sheets are placed. Bottom part The racks are attached to the foundation (canopy) or to the wall of the building. Depending on this, they apply Various types fasteners - bolted connection or dowels. The load-bearing capacity of each rack must be at least three times the maximum weight load. To calculate this parameter, you can use an online calculator.

• Farm

Designed to connect racks to each other. Serves as a reinforcing element, improving the rigidity of the structure. Since the main purpose of the trusses is to form a single frame, metal profile pipes or smaller wooden beams are used for this. To improve the aesthetic properties of a polycarbonate roof, it is possible to install curly elements- forged (steel) or carved (wooden).

• Lathing

This is a frame on top of which polycarbonate sheets are installed. When calculating, it is important to determine the distance between the slats. Because polymer material it is quite flexible - increased wind load or a large layer of snow can lead to its deformation. In this case, the grid serves supporting element, which evenly distributes the weight over the entire area of ​​the structure.

Manufacturing stages

First you need to calculate the roof. The best option is to use the services of specialists. If the structure is initially small, then this can be done independently. Using the functions of any online calculator, the number of racks, the pitch of the sheathing and the total consumption of materials are calculated. Based on this data, purchases are made.

The procedure for performing work on arranging a polycarbonate roof is as follows.

1. Preparatory stage

It includes the manufacture of a base for fastening the racks. When designing canopies, they make columnar foundation in the ground. If the roof will be mounted on a building, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of using dowels or similar mounting elements in the wall.

1. Frame making

If it is planned to be metal, then it is best to use it for racks profile pipe 40*40 or 50*50 mm, with a thickness of 1 mm. To form one load-bearing wall it is necessary to connect a number of racks using trusses. Then they are fastened together, and the sheathing is installed on top. Such technology system Suitable only if the dimensions of the structure are small. For large areas it is recommended step-by-step installation each side onto the foundation or wall.

1. Cutting polycarbonate

Before cutting the sheets, it is necessary to create a cutting sheet. It should include the required sheet sizes for installation on the roof. Depending on the geometric parameters blanks are selected. After all components have been manufactured, there should be a minimum of non-business waste remaining.

You can use a regular stationery knife as a tool.

After all the blanks have been made, you can begin installation.

They are increasingly being used in construction modern materials. This is how it finds more and more areas of application. If previously it was used for construction, greenhouses and decorative elements, now polycarbonate has gained popularity as a material.

It is used for roofing gazebos and canopies over the entrance.

Polycarbonate is a material that allows you to realize the most daring ideas.

The advantages of polycarbonate are:

• light weight of the material, which facilitates the installation process;
• ability to transmit light;
• resistance to external influences;
• a bunch of color shades material, which opens up enormous freedom of imagination.

The disadvantages of polycarbonate fear of UV radiation in case of damage can be attributed.

Installation feature polycarbonate is that installation is carried out using special washers. With mandatory pre-drilling of holes with a large diameter, which will avoid polycarbonate when the temperature changes.

Types of polycarbonate

It has a thickness of 2 to 12 millimeters and the main advantage of a monolithic polycarbonate roof is its high strength.

Monolithic polycarbonate with a thickness of 12 millimeters can withstand hammer blows and is considered vandal-proof.

Monolithic polycarbonate is used for roofing roofs of any configuration.

Polycarbonate is cut locally.

It is necessary to take into account that the directions of rigidity coincide with the direction of the roof slope. This is done so that the condensate that collects from inside the roof was easily removed. It is also very important when installing polycarbonate to orient the side with UV protection outward; you can determine the side by the markings and protective film.

Before fixing the polycarbonate, holes are drilled in it after preliminary marking 2 millimeters larger than the diameter of the screw; when tightening the screws, it is necessary to ensure that the washer fits tightly to the material, but the material should not be deformed.

Transverse joints are fastened using H-profiles, and longitudinal joints are sealed with sealing tape to prevent the appearance of condensation inside the polycarbonate sheet.

The ridge is made from a special ridge profile.

For domed roofs, as a rule, square pipes are used, from which the necessary circles and arcs are bent.

Attaching polycarbonate to a profile is identical to attaching to wood.