Polycarbonate Storage, Cutting & Install Guidelines:-- Quote & Order
 
Storage: Store in dry, shaded and well ventilated areas. Supported, sloped stacking is best. Store sheets in covered areas, but not under flexible PVC coverings.
Sheet Orientation Warning: Only one side of the sheet has the protective U.V. absorbing surface and this surface must be facing towards exterior. Sheets are covered with a thin plastic film and marked with a sticker to designate exterior side. Prior to installation, peel film off sheet and mark exterior side with a grease pencil.
Thermal Expansion: Sheet will expand in hot weather and contract in cold. Figure about 1/32" per foot for 100 degrees of temperature change. For small greenhouses, the impact is minimal. To avoid problems follow guidelines for the Install System you choose. Installation on a cold day with sheets touching, or jammed tight against a wall, can create problems as the sheet expands. The sheet will absorb some flexing, but best to follow our guidelines. The great amount of expansion and contraction can occur in the spring and fall. Cold nights and warm sunny days can result dramatic temperature swings. During these times the sheet may make a creaking noise. Do not be alarmed, this is a normal effect of rapid sheet movement as the polycarbonate expands or contracts along the framing members. Also note that bronze, being a dark color, will get warmer in the sun and expand 30% greater.
Cutting: To cut sheet width, for angle cuts, 10, 16 & 25mm cuts and whenever sheet is to slide into Aluminum U-Proflie use circular saw with plywood blade or jig saw with fine tooth blade. This produces clean, even cut. Cut sheet before taking off film, or static charge attracts fine chips to channels. Shake sheet, vacuum or blow out channels, removing chips prior to install. Condensation moving through layers continues cleaning channels, but get clean as possible. Leave film on sheet until ready to install, remove in area without dust. 6 and 8mm sheets may be cut to length with sharp utility knife. Clamp straight edge to sheet with rubber tip spring clamps and use as cutting guide. Run blade along guide a few times to achieve sufficient cut. Turn sheet over, bend and cut along crease to separate. Cut is ok for tolerance situations. If placing U-Profile on sheet best to cut with a saw.
Sheet Positioning: Install polycarbonate sheets with channels running vertically on walls, and with the slope on the roof (see Positioning and Attachment).
Aluminum Closure Tape: Prior to polycarbonate installation close top edge of gable end wall sheets with aluminum tape. This edge then gets covered with the Corner Trim. On freestanding structures set blocking, or a purlin, at top edge of roof sheets. Prior to install also close top edge of roof sheets with tape. If using "nominal" 2 ft. spacing a U-Profile and no blocking is an option. On lean-to structures the top edge of sheet sits on a ledger board with a beveled top. Aluminum tape must be used here as well. The U-Profile would not allow the sheet to sit flat.
Sheet Installation: Refer to Install System you choose for a graphic description of sheet and system installation.
Attachment: Fasten screws and washers as shown in Install System you choose.
Point Fastening: See Positioning and Attachment for guidelines on fastening through body of sheet. Basic rule of thumb is position fasteners every 3-4 ft., along length, in center of sheet.
Weep Holes: The lower edge of the vertical and lower edge of the roof sheets must have a provision that allows for moisture weepage. This can be achieved by drilling 1/16" weep holes in U-Profile, every 12" on-center.
Silicone Sealing: Refer to Install System you choose for placement of silicone. Use Dow 999-A Silicone available at Sundance. Silicone should also be used at aluminum and flashing joints.
Cleaning: Clean with warm, soapy water. If any dirt remains, wipe with soft cloth. Do not scrub, scrape or use solvents. Rinse and dry with soft cloth. Cleaning will extend sheet life.
 
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