Lumber Selection & ACQ Pressure Treated --Select Poly-- Samples-Guide - Quote-Order

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For maximum frame & fastener life use redwood, cedar or cypress. Avoid sap wood.

 

Seal high moisture areas of frame with satin marine spar varnish or Varathane. This protects top & bottom plate, and areas where polycarbonate contacts wood. The coating decreases wood rot, stops wood discoloration and creates a barrier between the chemicals in pressure treated and the polycarbonate. The smooth, nonporous surface is ideal for placement of a thin coat of ArmorAll. Place ArmorAll on areas of frame that come in contact with poly, just prior to installation of the sheet. ArmorAll assists in free expansion & contraction of the poly, decreasing possible movement noise. For poly sheets over 14' don't use ArmorAll. Use a polycarbonate compatible foam tape. When order of poly over 14' is placed online you are sent to a page that calculates tape needs and accepts online orders of this special foam tape.

 

18/8 - #300 series stainless steel is the most corrosion/ACQ resistant fastener available. Other screws may corrode. Stainless screws are expensive, rather soft and will break if installed incorrectly. So, we only recommend using these stainless screws to hold the Base to frame, as this screw never requires replacement. Proper screw placement instructions provided in Base & Cap Install Manual.

 

Our standard screws are hardened carbon steel with a special Dacromet Coating. This screw is appropriate for all species of wood. The ACQ chemical may corrode the screw if the coating is burned off during fastening, so set screws slowly. We can not guarantee that these screws will not corrode in ACQ lumber, but this is the best option we currently have.

 

There is currently no remotely economical, 100% safe, strong option for fastening polycarbonate to ACQ. We recommend avoiding ACQ. If this is not an option, and you choose to use our screws, set screws slowly. This will cut down on potential burn off of coating. Being that polycarbonate needs to be replaced in 10-20 years our screws may not significantly corrode during this period of time. That said, we can not guarantee that these screws will not corrode in ACQ lumber as the ACQ is new and no time tests are available on fasteners.

 

 

For large jobs please contact us to discuss your specific situation.

 

Best of luck with your project. ----

 

 

Reload Sundance Supply Site

 

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