In my earlier article "What is greenhouse polycarbonate" I discussed the physical characteristics of the material.
In this article I will give a brief overview of how to install greenhouse polycarbonate.
Most people try to make it too difficult.
There are only a few key points to making sure your polycarbonate is installed properly.
The biggest issue is to determine how much framing is necessary to meet the snow and wind loads in your area.
Most people who sell polycarbonate for greenhouses will have a chart with suggested spacing for purlins.
Another source for this information may be your local permitting office.
Also, you should be able to obtain information on the proper spacing of screws which will coincide with your frame spacing.
Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are flat on both sides.
As per my previous article you should be using sheets with UV protection on one side.
When figuring your bill of material do not figure "flipping" the sheets when cutting angles as you would do with plywood or other similar materials to save on material.
If you do this you will have a piece with the UV coating on the wrong side.
To install properly the flutes or channels should be running vertically.
This is so that any condensation which may form in the channels will be permitted to drain out the bottom of the channel.
There are a few components required to properly install multiwall polycarbonate.
The first is the H profile.
This is used to hold the sheets together side to side.
There are several different types of H available.
There are one part H's or two part (base and cap) H's.
They are made of polycarbonate or aluminum.
The two part H's are more expensive as a rule, but they are much easier to install on longer sheets, say over 12' in length.
To install the one part H you should loosely install your sheets on either side allowing space for the H.
You then slide your H up or down the sheets to the proper location and then tighten the sheets.
To install the 2 part H's (aluminum or polycarbonate) you first screw through the base into your frame.
You then place your sheets on either side of the base.
Next you will either screw or snap the cap into place.
Typically the polycarbonate H's are snapped and the aluminum cap will be screwed to the base.
The H's will be very tight and we typically do not use any sealant with them.
The next part is the U which is sometimes called a J.
This goes at the top and the bottom of the sheets.
The purpose of this profile is to keep bugs, moisture and dirt out of the channels.
The U at the bottom of the sheets should have small holes (1/8") approximately every 2'to allow for drainage.
The next part is the F profiles.
This is used to make corner.
If this part is not available we sometimes just put U's on the outside edges of our sheets and butt them up tight together to make a corner.
Some manufacturers offer a ridge profile out of polycarbonate.
When placing your sheets you should allow adequate room for expansion and contraction of the sheets.
Also, you should pre drill holes for your screws with a drill bit slightly larger than your screws to allow for contraction and expansion.
One of the most important parts to have is a 1" neobonded washer around your screws.
This will keep you from having leaks around the screws.
Be sure not to over tighten your screws or "dimple" your polycarbonate.
When installing corrugated polycarbonate you should have foam closures.
These serve 2 purposes.
They form a seal so that bugs, etc cannot get into your greenhouses.
Also, they are used on your purlins to "sturdy up" the sheets so they do not collapse when putting your screws in.
Polycarbonate is an excellent choice for greenhouse covering.
It is very durable and quite easy to install if you follow the guidelines above.
In this article I will give a brief overview of how to install greenhouse polycarbonate.
Most people try to make it too difficult.
There are only a few key points to making sure your polycarbonate is installed properly.
The biggest issue is to determine how much framing is necessary to meet the snow and wind loads in your area.
Most people who sell polycarbonate for greenhouses will have a chart with suggested spacing for purlins.
Another source for this information may be your local permitting office.
Also, you should be able to obtain information on the proper spacing of screws which will coincide with your frame spacing.
Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are flat on both sides.
As per my previous article you should be using sheets with UV protection on one side.
When figuring your bill of material do not figure "flipping" the sheets when cutting angles as you would do with plywood or other similar materials to save on material.
If you do this you will have a piece with the UV coating on the wrong side.
To install properly the flutes or channels should be running vertically.
This is so that any condensation which may form in the channels will be permitted to drain out the bottom of the channel.
There are a few components required to properly install multiwall polycarbonate.
The first is the H profile.
This is used to hold the sheets together side to side.
There are several different types of H available.
There are one part H's or two part (base and cap) H's.
They are made of polycarbonate or aluminum.
The two part H's are more expensive as a rule, but they are much easier to install on longer sheets, say over 12' in length.
To install the one part H you should loosely install your sheets on either side allowing space for the H.
You then slide your H up or down the sheets to the proper location and then tighten the sheets.
To install the 2 part H's (aluminum or polycarbonate) you first screw through the base into your frame.
You then place your sheets on either side of the base.
Next you will either screw or snap the cap into place.
Typically the polycarbonate H's are snapped and the aluminum cap will be screwed to the base.
The H's will be very tight and we typically do not use any sealant with them.
The next part is the U which is sometimes called a J.
This goes at the top and the bottom of the sheets.
The purpose of this profile is to keep bugs, moisture and dirt out of the channels.
The U at the bottom of the sheets should have small holes (1/8") approximately every 2'to allow for drainage.
The next part is the F profiles.
This is used to make corner.
If this part is not available we sometimes just put U's on the outside edges of our sheets and butt them up tight together to make a corner.
Some manufacturers offer a ridge profile out of polycarbonate.
When placing your sheets you should allow adequate room for expansion and contraction of the sheets.
Also, you should pre drill holes for your screws with a drill bit slightly larger than your screws to allow for contraction and expansion.
One of the most important parts to have is a 1" neobonded washer around your screws.
This will keep you from having leaks around the screws.
Be sure not to over tighten your screws or "dimple" your polycarbonate.
When installing corrugated polycarbonate you should have foam closures.
These serve 2 purposes.
They form a seal so that bugs, etc cannot get into your greenhouses.
Also, they are used on your purlins to "sturdy up" the sheets so they do not collapse when putting your screws in.
Polycarbonate is an excellent choice for greenhouse covering.
It is very durable and quite easy to install if you follow the guidelines above.
Source...