How To Erect Greenhouse Polycarbonate Panels?

This video provides a step-by-step guide on installing polycarbonate panels in your greenhouse. It covers the types, sizes, colors, profiles, and lifespan of polycarbonate panels, as well as the tools and materials needed. Polycarbonate panels should be installed with the label side facing out, ensuring water and liquid can drain. When the ribs run horizontally, moisture gets trapped, leading to the growth of mold.

A polycarbonate greenhouse can last up to 15 years or more with proper care and maintenance. To install the panels, measure and cut the area of the greenhouse, prepare the frame, and apply foam sealing tape between the frame and the panel. Gable greenhouses are the easiest to install polycarbonate sheets, but mounting is more difficult.

To fasten the polycarbonate to the greenhouse, use screws with neoprene bonded washers, ½″ washers for corrugated polycarbonate, and 1″ washers for triple wall. Ensure that the greenhouse polycarbonate is UV protected on at least one side and drill at least a 1/2″ – 1″ in from the edge. If H-channels and U-channels are used, drilling on the panel’s edge is not necessary.

How do you secure polycarbonate panels?

Two methods of fixing polycarbonate sheets to timber are using screws directly on the sheets or using glazing bars. The first method is suitable for garden features and wind-free areas, while the second method is preferred for greenhouses and conservatories. The required tools include a saw, safety gloves, Axiome polycarbonate sheeting, ALUKAP Anti-Dust Breather Tape, ALUKAP-XR button fixings, ALUKAP-XR endstop bars, low modulus sealant, a power drill, and Securbond Flashing Tape. The Axiome 16mm Triplewall Polycarbonate Sheet is a popular choice.

What do you glue polycarbonate with?

Polycarbonate sheets are 30 times stronger than glass and highly resilient to damage. However, they cannot be bonded together using regular solvents due to the risk of crazing, which occurs when microscopic bonds are damaged or broken, causing the material to appear as though it has hundreds of tiny cracks on and underneath its surface. To bond polycarbonate, two methods are used: Epoxide glue (Epoxy) and fusing the sheets together. Fusing is superior to Epoxy as it results in a seamless, almost invisible bond, and the bond itself is stronger and more resilient.

To bond polycarbonate, clean the areas that will be adhered to by rinsing them with lukewarm water and washing them in soapy water. Rinse them one last time and dry them off with another cloth. Apply a small trail of methylene chloride along the edge of the sheet you want to fuse, ensuring it is well-ventilated. Allow the adhesive to soak into the sheet and become slightly sticky before placing the edge directly onto the surface of the other sheet where you want it to bond.

Hold the sheets carefully in place, ensuring that the two surfaces are in constant contact. Apply a small amount of pressure on the sheets to encourage a stronger bond to form. Once the sheets are capable of supporting themselves, leave them to dry for at least 48 hours. This process can also be used to glue sheets of Plexiglass or Perspex to one another, but it will not work on other plastics. Acrylic can also be bonded using a different method, one that involves specifically designed acrylic glue. For more information on Acrylic, Perspex, MDF, Dibond, and Polycarbonate, please visit the Guide and Blog sections of the website.

How to stop polycarbonate greenhouse panels blowing out?

To secure polycarbonate panels in a greenhouse, use strips of timber on each side of the panels and drill through them to secure shorter strips. If drilling is not possible, use screws with neoprene bonded washers to fix the panels to the greenhouse. Use a 1/2-inch washer with corrugated polycarbonate sheets and a 1-inch washer with triple-wall polycarbonate.

To prevent panels from blowing out, apply glazing tape to each side of overlapping panes to strengthen the panels. Use foam tape to create a tight seal when the vent is closed. If damage occurs, make temporary repairs to address any weaknesses and keep the wind out. Temporary repairs can help prevent the panels from blowing out and ensure a secure greenhouse environment.

What is the best way to attach polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate panels should be attached to framing members using hex screws with self-sealing neoprene washers, with thickness determining the length. For most applications, 1″ to 1-1/2″ long hex screws are suitable. Galvanized or stainless steel is recommended for outdoor use. Hex screws should be installed in an even and straight line pattern, using a measuring stick or temporary string line. They should be snug and secure to the panel’s top surface.

When attaching perpendicular support purlins to rafters, ensure they are even and flush with the rafter’s top. If using a glazing bar system, set the top of the support purlin even with the rafter’s glazing gasket. Allow 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch joint spacing between any polycarbonate panel joint.

How do you attach polycarbonate panels to a greenhouse?

To fasten polycarbonate to a greenhouse, use screws with neoprene bonded washers, ensuring they do not tighten below the panel’s surface. Allow for proper expansion in all drilled holes, with the hole diameter being 5/64″ larger than the screw size. Glazing sheets should be joined using aluminum profiles from Rimol Greenhouse Systems or polycarbonate profiles from Co-Ex. For triple wall polycarbonate, use solid foil tape at the tops to seal out water and insects, and foil vented tape at the bottom to allow condensation to drain.

If silicone is needed, use GE Contactors SCS 1000 Sealant. Avoid over-bending polycarbonate sheets, with a minimum bending radius of 150 times the panel’s thickness. Allow one corrugation to overlap when joining corrugated polycarbonate sheets, which are 50″ wide and can net 48″ when overlapped.

What is the best adhesive for polycarbonate?

LePage’s Super Glue Ultra Gel Control is a viscous, less viscous product that is less prone to drip, with a convenient side-squeeze bottle for improved control.

How do you seal polycarbonate greenhouse panels?

Gorilla Tape or Duct Tape is a durable solution for sealing polycarbonate panels, providing protection and longevity. It can be applied strategically under straps or panel edges to combat harsh weather. Post-sealing maintenance tips include regular checks, quick repairs, clean seals, and seasonal inspections. Regular inspections ensure the seals are effective, and minor leaks can be addressed immediately. Regular wipes down sealed areas prevent dirt buildup and strengthen the sealant. Regular inspections at the start of each season help catch and address problems early.

How do you stop polycarbonate greenhouse panels from blowing out?

Glazing bars are crucial for securing panels in a greenhouse, providing a supportive framework that prevents bending or breaking. They should be evenly spaced and aligned with the frame. Position the polycarbonate panels onto the frame, ensuring no gaps to prevent heat loss and instability. Secure the panels with screws and anchors, and apply a sealant along the edges for an airtight and watertight seal against weather and moisture.

How to stick a polycarbonate sheet?

Polycarbonate sheets are a versatile material with excellent physical and mechanical properties, making them an ideal replacement for traditional glazing materials. They are safe, easy to cut, install, and use, and are almost impossible to break. Due to their low specific weight, polycarbonate sheets can significantly reduce the cost of supporting structures compared to glass, contributing to reduced transportation, handling, and installation costs.

However, solar radiation can cause surface cracking of polymeric materials, which can be further enlarged by water, dust, and chemicals. To gluing polycarbonate, follow these steps: sand the polycarbonate, clean it with an antistatic cleaner, remove protective sheets, and apply an acrylic adhesive.

What should you not use on polycarbonate?

Avoid using sharp tools or benzene, gasoline, acetone, or carbon tetrachloride on polycarbonate sheet products. Manufacturer-approved cleaning procedures are recommended for polycarbonate, acrylic, and APET plastics. The UV-resistant surface treatment on one side enhances long-term weatherability, so periodic cleaning using appropriate procedures and cleaners is recommended. These procedures and cleaners are also suitable for the untreated interior surface of the polycarbonate sheet, as well as for acrylic and APET plastics.

How do you screw down polycarbonate sheets?

The third or fourth corrugation should be left free to overlap the subsequent sheet and be fastened by screwing through. The end can be utilized for trimming the sheets.