Do polycarbonate need to remove the protective film. Which side to lay polycarbonate correctly - useful tips. Coating on the inside
What is the difference between standard polycarbonate and lightweight polycarbonate. Want to install on a pitched roof?
The thickness of the ribs of the lightweight sheet is smaller and the bearing capacity is lower. On roof structures subjected to snow loads, it is necessary to reduce the pitch of the batten.
How can scratches be removed from polycarbonate?
Minor scratches can be removed or made less noticeable by polishing or with a special polishing paste.
Which is better to choose polycarbonate for a greenhouse? Do you need UV protection? What sheet thickness should be used?
Co-extrusion UV protection is necessary to keep polycarbonate clear and durable for a long time. Without such protection, sheets are destroyed, as a rule, within 1-2 years. As for the thickness of the sheet, it all depends on the shape and size. Typically, polycarbonate is used with a thickness of 4mm to 8mm.
How to properly store cellular polycarbonate
Preferably kept inside enclosed space. When storing outdoors, care should be taken to cover not letting in the sun's rays(cardboard, wooden box, etc.). To prevent the upper slabs from being blown away by the wind, cargo is placed on top, for example, heavy boards. The boards must not be coated with PVC. Slabs should be stored on a pallet (slabs must not touch the ground).
Explain the thermal expansion of polycarbonate.
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion for polycarbonate 7.10-5 K-1 = 0.00007 m/m.°С = 0.07 mm/m.°С, that is, when the temperature changes by 1ºС, each linear meter of the sheet decreases or increases in all directions by 0.07 mm.
Calculation example: when mounting a sheet of cellular polycarbonate in a rigid structure 10 meters long and with a temperature difference during the year in central Russia of 70 ° C (from -30 ° C to + 40 ° C), the gap between the sheet and the structure is 49 mm (0. 07x10x70 = 49 mm). The minimum tolerance recommended for cellular polycarbonate sheets is 3.5 mm for each meter of length or width - the calculation is based on a temperature difference of 50 ° C. The diameter of the holes for fixing bolts or screws must be 1.5 times larger than the diameter of the bolt.
I want to mount the sheets horizontally.
Mount plates cellular polycarbonate follows the direction of the longitudinal stiffeners, either vertically or along the slope of the pavement, but not horizontal.
Do I need to remove the top film from polycarbonate sheets?
Plates cellular polycarbonate covered with a polyethylene film to protect against contamination and mechanical damage that may occur during shipment, transportation and assembly. The film should be left on the plate until the end of assembly and be sure to remove upon completion of work.
How and how to cut cellular polycarbonate?
Cutting is done with a circular saw or an electric jigsaw with teeth at an angle close to 30°. Chips that are formed during the saw cutting process should be thoroughly cleaned with a jet of air under pressure or in any other way available. During cutting, the honeycomb polycarbonate plate should be pressed firmly against the table surface to prevent its vibration or shift. If it is necessary to cut plates of insignificant thickness (10 mm and below), you can use a construction knife.
Any advice on what sealant to use?
100% silicone sealant. Important! sealant without acrylic, ammonia, antifungal or other additives that can damage polycarbonate. DO NOT use mounting foam. It leads to deformation of the coating.
How are different thicknesses of cellular polycarbonate bent?
Minimum slab bending radii.
How to clean polycarbonate after winter?
- pour the plates with warm water;
- use a soft brush (cloth) and warm soapy water when washing;
- do not use a knife or other sharp objects;
- Rinse off the soap with running water and dry so that no stains remain.
What are the installation errors?
- Incorrect orientation in order to save material, especially when cutting polycarbonate panels for spherical and broken roofs. The panels should be oriented in the direction of the slope or bend.
- Improper sealing in order to save or lack of it.
- In case of vertical glazing, if required, the fixing of the panels in the transverse direction should be cut. It is impossible to fasten the panels “through” as over time or immediately, leaks will appear at the fastening points.
- It is necessary to correctly select the thickness of the material corresponding to the purpose of the structure, following the recommendations of the manufacturer and specialists.
- Non-observance of tolerances for thermal expansion.
- Failure to comply with the conditions for fastening the edges of the panels.
How to cut cellular polycarbonate?
Sheets can be cut easily and accurately with standard equipment (circular saw, hand saw or hacksaw). The protective film must remain on the sheets when cutting. Sawdust should be blown out of the channels with compressed air.
Which side should the protective film be placed on?
During installation, the sheets must be placed with the side with the protective film containing the marking facing out. It is from this side that a protective layer from UV radiation is applied. It is forbidden to walk directly on the sheets.
What gap should be left when fastening the sheet with a screw connection?
When fastening panels with a screw connection or a self-tapping screw, the diameter of the hole D1 must be 2 mm larger than the diameter of the screw or self-tapping screw D2. The screws do not need to be tightened, leave a gap for free play.
What clearance should be left for thermal expansion?
Due to the fact that polycarbonate expands in size when heated, it is necessary to leave gaps for thermal expansion. For a transparent sheet, the gap should be 2-3 mm, for a colored sheet - 3-4 mm.
Sheet polymer plastic, known as polycarbonate, with its low weight, is very durable and transmits light well. Cellular polycarbonate has received the greatest application in home construction. It is widely used in the manufacture of sheds and greenhouses. Knowing some basic installation rules, including which side to lay polycarbonate on, will help to avoid unforeseen complications and make the structure reliable and durable.
Material Features
The product of chemical production got its name from the external resemblance, in cross section, with the cellular structure of honeycombs. Cellular polycarbonate plates consist of several polymer sheets, they are interconnected by longitudinal bridges, which give strength to the plate, acting as stiffeners. The number of layers can be from two to four. This structure gives polycarbonate good thermal insulation properties.
Passing over 90% of the light flux, polycarbonate is a hundred times stronger than glass, and at the same time has good flexibility. This quality makes it convenient to use in the manufacture of arched canopies. Important for canopies is the good resistance of polycarbonate to mechanical damage. After impacts, cracks do not appear on it, so polycarbonate will withstand hail of any size.
Polycarbonate coating
All types of polycarbonate are covered with a film that prevents the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the front side of the sheet has a special coating (selective), capable of transmitting a certain part of the light spectrum.
In order not to be mistaken during installation, which side to lay polycarbonate, the sheets are produced with a protective film of various colors. The underside of the sheet is always covered with a white or transparent film. On the upper side, the film is blue in color, may have a pattern or a printed marking. In any case, the top side is significantly different from the bottom. It is advisable to remove the protective film immediately before installing the panels or at the end of the installation.
There is polycarbonate, which has the same protective film on both sides. These sheets have a protective layer on both sides. During installation, it does not matter which side it will be laid up.
With proper installation and observance of the installation technique, an erected structure (canopy or greenhouse) with a roof made of cellular polycarbonate will stand for many years.
Love juicy peppers? Then learn how to effortlessly build for growing pepper, the recommendations of experienced gardeners will help you.
If you want to glue polycarbonate sheets together, then study this article - , we will help you choose the right and high-quality glue.
By its nature, polycarbonate is unstable to ultraviolet rays (UV), therefore, to ensure the durability of polycarbonate sheets, manufacturers cover them with a protective UV layer and introduce special additives into the polymer mass.
The second threat to polycarbonate sheets is the usual dust that enters the mass in production. The smallest dust particles, perhaps even invisible to the human eye, can cause serious "burns" of the sheets and lead to a reduction in the life of the material.
You can draw an analogy with the melting of snow in the spring. Dirty snow melts faster, as the grains of sand in the snow mass absorb the heat of the sun intensely. So it is with polycarbonate: when heated in the sun, dust particles that get into the polymer mass during production literally burn through the polycarbonate from the inside. As a result, the sheet “opens”, bursts, gradually loses its aesthetic appearance, bearing capacity and tightness.
Since cellular polycarbonate sheets are mostly used for outdoor structures (for the construction of greenhouses, sheds and canopies, translucent roofs, etc.), it is very important to carefully choose a supplier who can ensure the durability of consumer properties of their products already at the production stage. Including cleanliness of production.
Cleanliness is the key to maintaining the necessary properties of polycarbonate sheets.
In the production of cellular polycarbonate, cleanliness should always reign as in a surgical room. This requirement has quite a practical meaning - the smallest particles of dirt that got into the polycarbonate mass during production not only spoil the outer sheet, but also significantly reduce its durability. Dust particles can be so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and the damage caused by the carelessness of the manufacturer can be serious.
The raw material for the production of honeycomb sheets is granular polycarbonate. In order to prevent dust, dirt, or moisture from getting into it, the granules are carefully packed in multi-layer bags during transportation from the production of raw materials to processing enterprises. On the territory of the processor, raw materials must be stored in special tanks.
Before the start of the production cycle, the granules are cleaned of dust and moisture in special centrifuges. Despite all these precautions, in a well-organized production, a lot of attention is paid to cleanliness in the shops. The main sources of dust in production are dirty floors and dust on equipment. Therefore, wet cleaning is an integral part of the production process, which is repeatedly performed throughout the entire work shift.
But this is not enough - to ensure cleanliness, a competent manufacturer arranges a special anti-dust floor already at the stage of construction of the workshop, much attention is paid to the functioning of supply ventilation filters and many other activities related to the cleanliness of production.
The obligation to maintain cleanliness lies not only with the manufacturer, but also with the builders who install polycarbonate sheets. If polycarbonate sheets are stored outdoors, then under such storage conditions there is a danger that the polycarbonate sheet will be turned to the sun with no UV protection (in the case of sheets with one-sided UV protection). Subsequently, this will inevitably lead to a decrease in its performance. On the other hand, there is a danger that in hot weather, under the influence of the sun, the protective film will firmly adhere to the sheet, which in turn will make it difficult to remove the protective film from the surface of the plate.
But the main problem is the storage of polycarbonate sheets with unprotected ends. Open ends contribute to the ingress of dust, dirt, moisture into the cells of the polycarbonate plate. These factors contribute to a decrease in the durability of polycarbonate, jeopardizing its strength. So storing sheets on the street is highly undesirable.
During the installation process (if it is carried out in accordance with all the rules), the builders will close the ends of the polycarbonate panels, and the translucent structures made of this wonderful material will delight the owners for many years.
To summarize: - The reliability of a structure coated with polycarbonate sheets largely depends on the conditions under which they were manufactured. A decrease in the performance of polycarbonate sheets, and hence the reliability of the entire structure, can occur due to the fault of the smallest dust particles, which none of the consumers usually think about.
Construction errors when using cellular polycarbonate
All construction errors can be conditionally divided into design errors and errors associated with improper use of the material.
Let us dwell in more detail on the errors associated with the incorrect use of the sheet.
Mistake #1. The sheet is fixed to the sun with a side that does not contain surface UV protection. As a result, the leaf will turn yellow. The advice in this case is simple: do not remove the protective film with the marking before installation. Otherwise, you can simply confuse the parties, because. The presence or absence of UV protection cannot be determined by eye.
Mistake #2. Special thermal washers are not used. Simple self-tapping screws can damage the sheet during thermal expansion, and dirt will accumulate in places of damage. Special washers are needed in order to close the mounting hole from moisture and dirt and prevent them from entering the cells.
Mistake #3 . The ends of the cellular polycarbonate sheet are not closed (or incorrectly closed). If the ends are not closed, then the sheet becomes dirty, loses its appearance and light-transmitting properties. There is a second option: the ends are closed “tightly” and the condensate that forms in the honeycombs as a result of temperature changes does not go outside. It is optimal to close the ends with a special perforated tape, and then with a profile that provides protection against dust ingress, but does not prevent moisture from escaping.
Mistake #4. Incorrect application of the sheet class. All sheets of cellular polycarbonate are divided into classes: sheets for greenhouses (4 and 6 mm) and sheets for construction (from 8 mm). For example, you can often find that in the construction of stopping complexes, a sheet 4 mm thick is used, and it is lightweight. Such a sheet may not withstand the snow load, and people may suffer as a result of such a construction error. The same applies to translucent roofs and small architectural forms.
Many users complain about the clouding of polycarbonate over time, even when contacting professional installers, does the material sometimes turn yellow? Who is guilty?
Cellular polycarbonate turns yellow (cloudy) for several reasons: exposure to the external environment (in particular the sun); low quality of raw materials; poor organization of production, lack of cleanliness in production; a high percentage of the use of secondary raw materials, its low quality and purity; violation of the extrusion modes of a sheet of cellular polycarbonate.
Slow down the process of degradation of cellular polycarbonate under the influence of the sun. Surface UV protection (applied by co-extrusion). The presence of these components must be indicated in the marking and passport for a sheet of cellular polycarbonate.
Let us dwell in more detail on the cause of turbidity of cellular polycarbonate as a result of a violation of the sheet extrusion regimes during production. Extruding a cellular polycarbonate sheet is a complex process for which it is very important to maintain the same parameters, including a constant extrusion temperature. Here the leading role is played by the class of equipment installed in the production. If the accuracy class of the equipment is low, then the fluctuation of its parameters will occur in waves. The sheet will be extruded over an extended temperature range and underforming of the polymer may be observed. And as a result: a cloudy sheet, with great internal tension. The accuracy class of equipment is an indicator that shows how equipment can perform its task in a given range. Accordingly, on some equipment you can produce a spaceship, and on some just a clay pot
Thus, in order to avoid clouding of cellular polycarbonate, you need to choose a sheet produced on Italian or German equipment with a high accuracy class.
How to deal with moisture inside the cells?
For the free exit of condensate from the cells during installation, they should be oriented in the direction of the slope. It is also necessary to use the correct perforated tape and profile, which will allow moisture to escape.
Lesnik 61 28-06-2010 12:56
I ran into such garbage, covered the greenhouse with it the year before last, now a valuable fur-bearing animal has come to polycarbonate, it crumbles right in the hands, thanks to the recent hurricane, the dismantling of the dead coating was not needed.
The people here said that you only need to remove the painted film, and on the reverse side, no, no, and this film is laid out, supposedly protection from UV radiation.
Who is in the subject, give an explanation on this issue, otherwise if you buy coverage every two years, then for this money it is easier to buy products than to fuck around for six months.
Ann 28-06-2010 13:07
Put it on the wrong side. It is necessary outside with the side on which there was a film with UV-protect inscriptions and all that.
Lesnik 61 28-06-2010 13:38
TAURUS 28-06-2010 13:51
Ann 28-06-2010 14:03
One side is all in pictures, the second is a blank film.
Well, it is necessary to put exactly the right side out.
and without protective coating
It seems to be only for internal partitions and works?
Yep 28-06-2010 14:50
quote: Originally posted by TAURUS:
There is cellular polycarbonate with UV protection and without a protective coating, which affects the life of the plastic.
Yes, and with protection it is more expensive.
koti4 28-06-2010 19:32
and what is the brand? WAS)
koti4 28-06-2010 19:33
I had to cut the ends
ZiminVlVl 28-06-2010 23:37
Yes, you just bought garbage, any polycarbonate is designed for the sun, and what you need for a greenhouse is without a protective coating, but the fact that you have polyethylene, which really crumbles from the sun in a year
Lesnik 61 29-06-2010 05:15
quote: yes, you just bought garbage
I myself am inclined to this idea, on that polycarbonate on both sides there was a transparent film without inscriptions. And he asked a question in order to burst with the installation of new sheets.
-Bryansk- 29-06-2010 08:45
Indeed - bought garbage. Simply - a low-quality product was caught (slipped off), or you took it consciously, being led for free.
Normal, suitable polycarbonate - will stand for decades in severe heat and cold.
Lesnik 61 29-06-2010 09:02
quote: Indeed - bought garbage. Simply - a low-quality product was caught (slipped)
This is the first thing that didn’t hit the shelves of our stores, I don’t exclude that it’s some kind of left one, because the three first-bought sheets crumbled, and the ones acquired a little later were normal.
Yep 29-06-2010 09:13
UV protection, Films ... Which side to lay down, carol around him with a tambourine and arrange other shamanic orgies in the form of plugging ends - this is heresy and nonsense.
so many think far from construction, and they are mistaken:
"Signs of poor quality material:
lack of data on weight, bearing capacity, UV protection. UV protection is visible to the naked eye - the side facing the sun has a slight bluish glow on the cut. If this effect is not observed, the presence of co-extrusion UV protection is questionable; deviations in linear dimensions and sheet thickness;
increased waviness of sheets, longitudinal or transverse grooves visible to the naked eye on the surface of the sheet. They are indicative of deviations in the extrusion process that may affect the load-bearing capacity of the sheets;
foreign inclusions, black dots, bubbles, roughness. These signs indicate that a large amount of recycled materials has been used in the material, which reduces the strength and durability of the sheets;
yellowish or bluish tint of transparent panels. This sign indicates that this material belongs to the economy class. (with UV protection in the thickness of the sheet, which is worse than co-extrusion external protection, or with reduced weight) It is necessary to clarify with the seller the specifics of this material and its scope.
No less responsibly should be approached to the choice of components. Seals must be made of EPDM (not rubber or PVC), washers must be made of metal or PVC (not polyethylene). Profiles must have sufficient width, wall thickness and strength, polycarbonate - also UV protection. Self-tapping screws must be made of high-quality steel, have an anti-corrosion coating and be of sufficient thickness.
Reducing the number of components (increasing the pitch of the connecting profile and other fasteners) will also adversely affect the performance of the coating. The data on the bearing capacity of the panels, reported by the manufacturer, are valid only if the recommended schemes for supporting and fixing polycarbonate are observed.
http://www.krovlirussia.ru/index.php?page=cls&hid=737&pid=43
Yep 29-06-2010 09:32
quote: Originally posted by -Bryansk-:
There was no UV protection
Yes, EVERYTHING was there, they just forgot to tell you.
Cellular polycarbonate appeared on the Russian market in 1995 and was first introduced by the LEXAN brand produced by GENERAL ELECTRIC.
therefore, in 1998 it was not yet Chinese and Russian. so he then went all with UV protection, as it should be.
and three years later, the Chinese have already mastered its production, and some of them began to save on additives and drive cheap bullshit.
alpar 29-06-2010 09:33
Yep 29-06-2010 09:35
Can polycarbonate withstand a stone throw?
holds up if not too thin. but thick and brick can withstand
alpar 29-06-2010 09:39
Well, they hardly put a thick one on greenhouses.
Lesnik 61 29-06-2010 09:48
quote: Well, they hardly put a thick one on greenhouses.
Usually 4 mm.
quote: holds up if not too thin. but thick and brick can withstand
In the recent past, the dir worked. the pool, they got the uyopki, the glasses were beaten every day, replaced with polycarbonate, the problem was gone. We saw how idiots threw stones at the windows, everything is intact, because. There was no effect, they switched to other objects.
Yep 29-06-2010 09:55
quote: Originally posted by Lesnik 61:
replaced with polycarbonate, the problem was gone
about the same bullshit.
for example, changing double-glazed windows in aluminum doors is not too easy, so it used to be put to customers instead of double-glazed windows in store doors with polycarbonate.
bryansk 29-06-2010 10:12
quote: Originally posted by Yep:
Yes, EVERYTHING was there, they just forgot to tell you.or the Chinese, and some of them began to save on additives, and drive cheap bullshit.
And here it is - really and easily.
That is, in general, it all comes down to the fact that if you buy a good and high-quality one, then which side you don’t screw on, score the ends, don’t score, it will still last a long time. And the bad one will fall apart quickly, despite the correct sides, films and other kosher screws.
Yep 29-06-2010 10:23
quote: Originally posted by bryansk:
then which side do not screw
as a result of an error during installation (installation on the wrong side), even the highest quality polycarbonate crumbles.
I don’t take it off for the winter, and I don’t even cover the roof with anything, the snow lies right on the film. Polycarbonate goes through the woods.
Integrator 02-07-2010 18:28
quote: Originally posted by alpar:And I have a conventional reinforced plastic film on greenhouses. The side frames are put into the barn for the winter, and the film on the roof has not been removed for four years. One problem - crows. They like to peck on the roof through the film of insects. But after shooting one or two, they do not fly for a long time.
Well, I don’t argue ... ordinary film in frames brought indoors for the winter can also last several years if there are no severe frosts. Or in a warm room. As for the roof - indeed, the reinforced one withstands snow and lasts several seasons - if a watchman with a gun is attached to it
