Polycarbonate sheet on pergola

[mderoy]

I have a pergola that’s is approximately 4.2m by 2m dimension. I want to make the space more usable all year around and try and reduce the damage caused by sun and rain to everything in the pergola area. So I’m wanting to add a bronze colour 10mm polycarbonate sheet. I found a supplier that sells 4m by 2.1m so perfect size.

I can slightly angle the beams they the sheet will be on create a rain slope and then just install gutter to catch rain. My biggest concern is do I need to take anything into considering regarding windbreak? Like during extremely windy weather is it going to potentially be a problem? And also how are these screwed down to the beams with creating leaks by the screws that go through it ?

 

[catlad]

10mm is not suitable in y opinion, 16mm would be better, you can buy special fixing plugs to fasten them down.

 

[mderoy]

10mm is not suitable in y opinion, 16mm would be better, you can buy special fixing plugs to fasten them down.

Thank you. Ok I’ll look at 16mm. Is there anything I need to consider regarding wind break?

 

[catlad]

It's definitely something that needs considering. How well is the structure anchored down? is there plenty of options to fasten the sheets down?

 

[mderoy]

It's definitely something that needs considering. How well is the structure anchored down? is there plenty of options to fasten the sheets down?

The 4 mains posts are 4x4 and rather stable and solid. They were dug and deep enough from what I remember and postcretee. Although they’ve weathered a bit but still solid. Been up ror for about 11 years now Then I then on the main cross beams I have to the rafter beams at intervals of approximately 40cm so plenty of rafters to screw the sheet down to

 

[foxhole]

Have 7mx4m (10mm)off the house and it’s been fine with high winds , there are many water resistant fixing around , you will need a joint strip which slides up to join panels .

Google Image Result for http://tradewarehouse.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/PolycarbonateFixingButtons.png?v=1700569401

 

[mderoy]

so my pergola basically starts immediately after my lean to conservatory which has nice steep gradient for water to run down. So since my pergola starts right after it and I essentially have a gutter where the conservatory glass roof is draining down to and the pergola sits just slightly higher than that with the rafters having a slight overhang just above the gutter. Could I potentially run the polycarbonate sheet so that I drains down towards the conservatory roof then drains down to the conservatory gutter? Hope that makes sense. Basically the pergola polycarbonate sheet will be slight higher level and overhang a little over so rain can go on the conservatory roof

 

[mderoy]

Have 7mx4m (10mm)off the house and it’s been fine with high winds , there are many water resistant fixing around , you will need a joint strip which slides up to join panels .

Google Image Result for http://tradewarehouse.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/PolycarbonateFixingButtons.png?v=1700569401

Thanks for this, what intervals should these button style fixings be applied?

 

[foxhole]

• Perimeter: Space fixings at 200mm to 400mm intervals along the edges.
  
  
• Internal: For fixings across the sheets, space them approximately 300mm to 400mm apart, following the supporting frame below

But depends on the frame dimensions supporting it , most of mine are around 50cm spacing .

 

[mderoy]

So I’ve taken delivery of the polycarbonate sheet and one of the points on the label says sheets stored outside must be protected from sunlight and rain. I’ve attached a picture. I don’t quite understand this part as this is the main reason for me installing a his to create a rain and sun cover over my pergola

 

[foxhole]

That’s until they are used , the protective film can be damaged by sun.Rain can cause humidity and therefore mould internally before it’s sealed by a trim at installation .

 

[aveatry]

So I’ve taken delivery of the polycarbonate sheet and one of the points on the label says sheets stored outside must be protected from sunlight and rain. I’ve attached a picture. I don’t quite understand this part as this is the main reason for me installing a his to create a rain and sun cover over my pergola

Did you get 10 or 16mm in the end I have a 3x3M and a section all along the side of the house and its all 10mm at the joins I used roofing bars on top of rafters the sheets were 900mm wide i think and at the mid point - 450mm I used the buttons into the rafter below.

 

[mderoy]

I ended getting the 10mm due to availability. I'm ordering these buttons to mount it. But the spec doesnt say what size i need to drill the hole: https://www.toolstation.com/solstice-polycarbonate-fixing-buttons/pAA593

The sheet instructions say that the drilled hole should be 50% larger than screw to allow thermal expansion. Does anyone know what size drill bit I need to install this?

 

[Tigercubrider]

10mm should be fine.
My conservatory had 10mm when originally built but was changed to thicker after 10 years.
If you still have the choice, aluminium joiners are better but plastic is fine, so long as you can live with UV brittle

You could use corrugated or even sheet Perspex.
The only benefit that thicker twin/triple wall has is that it provides heat insulation. Plus less likely to shatter on impact of a ball

 

[mderoy]

The sheet seems to have the printed white film on one side. Which side faces down and which side faces the sky? Or does it not matter?