I am writing in the hope that you might have a moment to shed some light on this subject. My family built a little seed shed for me. It is a three sided walk in raised planter. I put the frame for a roof on it and that looks very nice. Now I need to find some material to cover over the roof. I would like something in some kind of solid material –Polycarbunate? I know there is material for skylights and such, but I am not able to discern the qualities. I have checked out this material which is commonly used, but I cannot see how I would attach it. Do I just nail throught the channels? https://www.acmeplastics.com/twinwall-polycarbonate-sheet?list=Category%20Listing
If you have a moment to spare I would value greatly your thoughts on this subject! My little roof is 10 ft long and from the ridge to the end of the rafters is 8ft.
Thank you so much!
ghostsniperJuly 24, 2024, 9:12 AM
Anne,
That product will do what you want, but….
It’s non-structural. The thickest availability is 10mm or 1/3 of an inch.
(a 4’x8′ sheet costs $91. – pretty pricey)
So there would need to be some intermediate supports (rafters).
The plexi panels can be drilled and screwed to the rafters but you have to be careful with not cinching the screws too tight. And, because you cannot walk on the panels you can only install screws as far as you can reach from the ends.
If you’re set on clear or translucent I’d look into the simple corrugated stuff that is frequently used on barns. Something like this:
Ohhh! Can you feel a big hug coming your way? Thank you so much! If you knew my situation here at home you would know how much this means to us!
ghostsniperJuly 24, 2024, 2:48 PM
Couple tips.
Plastic anything gets very brittle when cold, likely to break.
Have plenty of rafters and cross bridging underneath the panels to prevent sagging.
Plastic changes with the temperature, so have neoprene washers on all the fasteners that hold the panels down.
Also, to prevent rust from leaching onto the panels, use NON-steel screws.
DRILL holes for the screws in the plastic.
Use pressure treated lumber and paint it with 2 layers of KILLZ to prevent rot and deter moss-mildew.
Guten Lucken!
AnneJuly 24, 2024, 4:39 PM
Thanks coach!
Question: Do you think it will help combat the cold and snow if I covered it over with that white fabric type of stuff (sorry about that)? It’s a white tarp that they use to cover over some green houses and I am thinking maybe that little extra might help. Last winter we got down to -45F for a few days! That was in the morning when we could see the thermometer–don’t know what it was a few hours earlier. Maybe I should just plan on replacing it every other year or so. . .
Thank you again,
A
ghostsniperJuly 24, 2024, 5:19 PM
No.
Unless you encapsulate the building entirely and provide a heat source your effort will be for naught.
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Good Morning Ghost!
I am writing in the hope that you might have a moment to shed some light on this subject. My family built a little seed shed for me. It is a three sided walk in raised planter. I put the frame for a roof on it and that looks very nice. Now I need to find some material to cover over the roof. I would like something in some kind of solid material –Polycarbunate? I know there is material for skylights and such, but I am not able to discern the qualities. I have checked out this material which is commonly used, but I cannot see how I would attach it. Do I just nail throught the channels? https://www.acmeplastics.com/twinwall-polycarbonate-sheet?list=Category%20Listing
If you have a moment to spare I would value greatly your thoughts on this subject! My little roof is 10 ft long and from the ridge to the end of the rafters is 8ft.
Thank you so much!
Anne,
That product will do what you want, but….
It’s non-structural. The thickest availability is 10mm or 1/3 of an inch.
(a 4’x8′ sheet costs $91. – pretty pricey)
So there would need to be some intermediate supports (rafters).
The plexi panels can be drilled and screwed to the rafters but you have to be careful with not cinching the screws too tight. And, because you cannot walk on the panels you can only install screws as far as you can reach from the ends.
If you’re set on clear or translucent I’d look into the simple corrugated stuff that is frequently used on barns. Something like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Palruf-26-in-x-8-ft-Corrugated-PVC-Roof-Panel-in-Clear-100423/100038031#overlay
Ohhh! Can you feel a big hug coming your way? Thank you so much! If you knew my situation here at home you would know how much this means to us!
Couple tips.
Plastic anything gets very brittle when cold, likely to break.
Have plenty of rafters and cross bridging underneath the panels to prevent sagging.
Plastic changes with the temperature, so have neoprene washers on all the fasteners that hold the panels down.
Also, to prevent rust from leaching onto the panels, use NON-steel screws.
DRILL holes for the screws in the plastic.
Use pressure treated lumber and paint it with 2 layers of KILLZ to prevent rot and deter moss-mildew.
Guten Lucken!
Thanks coach!
Question: Do you think it will help combat the cold and snow if I covered it over with that white fabric type of stuff (sorry about that)? It’s a white tarp that they use to cover over some green houses and I am thinking maybe that little extra might help. Last winter we got down to -45F for a few days! That was in the morning when we could see the thermometer–don’t know what it was a few hours earlier. Maybe I should just plan on replacing it every other year or so. . .
Thank you again,
A
No.
Unless you encapsulate the building entirely and provide a heat source your effort will be for naught.
Ah ha! Thank you for all your good help!