What are the installation errors? Ooo "city style" Nizhny Novgorod When to remove the film from the greenhouse

Sheet polymer plastic, known as polycarbonate, with its low weight, is very durable and transmits light well. Cellular polycarbonate has received the greatest application in home construction. It is widely used in the manufacture of sheds and greenhouses. Knowing some basic installation rules, including which side to lay polycarbonate on, will help to avoid unforeseen complications and make the structure reliable and durable.

Material Features

The product of chemical production got its name from the external resemblance, in cross section, with the cellular structure of honeycombs. Cellular polycarbonate plates consist of several polymer sheets, they are interconnected by longitudinal bridges, which give strength to the plate, acting as stiffeners. The number of layers can be from two to four. This structure gives polycarbonate good thermal insulation properties.

Passing over 90% of the light flux, polycarbonate is a hundred times stronger than glass, and at the same time has good flexibility. This quality makes it convenient to use in the manufacture of arched canopies. Important for canopies is the good resistance of polycarbonate to mechanical damage. After impacts, cracks do not appear on it, so polycarbonate will withstand hail of any size.

Polycarbonate coating

All types of polycarbonate are covered with a film that prevents the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the front side of the sheet has a special coating (selective), capable of transmitting a certain part of the light spectrum.

In order not to be mistaken during installation, which side to lay polycarbonate, the sheets are produced with a protective film of various colors. The underside of the sheet is always covered with a white or transparent film. On the upper side, the film is blue in color, may have a pattern or a printed marking. In any case, the top side is significantly different from the bottom. It is advisable to remove the protective film immediately before installing the panels or at the end of the installation.

There is polycarbonate, which has the same protective film on both sides. These sheets have a protective layer on both sides. During installation, it does not matter which side it will be laid up.

With proper installation and observance of the installation technique, an erected structure (canopy or greenhouse) with a roof made of cellular polycarbonate will stand for many years.

Love juicy peppers? Then learn how to effortlessly build for growing pepper, the recommendations of experienced gardeners will help you.

If you want to glue polycarbonate sheets together, then study this article - , we will help you choose the right and high-quality glue.

By its nature, polycarbonate is unstable to ultraviolet rays (UV), therefore, to ensure the durability of polycarbonate sheets, manufacturers cover them with a protective UV layer and introduce special additives into the polymer mass.

The second threat to polycarbonate sheets is the usual dust that enters the mass in production. The smallest dust particles, perhaps even invisible to the human eye, can cause serious "burns" of the sheets and lead to a reduction in the life of the material.

You can draw an analogy with the melting of snow in the spring. Dirty snow melts faster, as the grains of sand in the snow mass absorb the heat of the sun intensely. So it is with polycarbonate: when heated in the sun, dust particles that get into the polymer mass during production literally burn through the polycarbonate from the inside. As a result, the sheet “opens”, bursts, gradually loses its aesthetic appearance, bearing capacity and tightness.
Since cellular polycarbonate sheets are mostly used for outdoor structures (for the construction of greenhouses, sheds and canopies, translucent roofs, etc.), it is very important to carefully choose a supplier who can ensure the durability of consumer properties of their products already at the production stage. Including cleanliness of production.

Cleanliness is the key to maintaining the necessary properties of polycarbonate sheets.

In the production of cellular polycarbonate, cleanliness should always reign as in a surgical room. This requirement has quite a practical meaning - the smallest particles of dirt that got into the polycarbonate mass during production not only spoil the outer sheet, but also significantly reduce its durability. Dust particles can be so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and the damage due to the carelessness of the manufacturer can be serious.
The raw material for the production of honeycomb sheets is granulated polycarbonate. In order to prevent dust, dirt, or moisture from getting into it, the granules are carefully packed in multi-layer bags during transportation from the production of raw materials to processing enterprises. On the territory of the processor, raw materials must be stored in special tanks.

Before the start of the production cycle, the granules are cleaned of dust and moisture in special centrifuges. Despite all these precautions, in a well-organized production, a lot of attention is paid to cleanliness in the shops. The main sources of dust in production are dirty floors and dust on equipment. Therefore, wet cleaning is an integral part of the production process, which is repeatedly performed throughout the entire work shift.
But this is not enough - to ensure cleanliness, a competent manufacturer arranges a special anti-dust floor already at the construction stage of the workshop, much attention is paid to the functioning of supply ventilation filters and many other measures related to the cleanliness of production.

The obligation to maintain cleanliness lies not only with the manufacturer, but also with the builders who install polycarbonate sheets. If polycarbonate sheets are stored outdoors, then under such storage conditions there is a danger that the polycarbonate sheet will be turned to the sun with no UV protection (in the case of sheets with one-sided UV protection). Subsequently, this will inevitably lead to a decrease in its performance. On the other hand, there is a danger that in hot weather, under the influence of the sun, the protective film will firmly stick to the sheet, which in turn will make it difficult to remove the protective film from the surface of the plate.
But the main problem is the storage of polycarbonate sheets with unprotected ends. Open ends contribute to the ingress of dust, dirt, moisture into the cells of the polycarbonate plate. These factors contribute to a decrease in the durability of polycarbonate, jeopardizing its strength. So storing sheets on the street is highly undesirable.

During the installation process (if it is carried out in accordance with all the rules), the builders will close the ends of the polycarbonate panels, and the translucent structures made of this wonderful material will delight the owners for many years.
To summarize: - The reliability of a structure coated with polycarbonate sheets largely depends on the conditions under which they were manufactured. A decrease in the performance of polycarbonate sheets, and hence the reliability of the entire structure, can occur due to the fault of the smallest dust particles, which none of the consumers usually think about.

Construction errors when using cellular polycarbonate

All construction errors can be conditionally divided into design errors and errors associated with improper use of the material.
Let us dwell in more detail on the errors associated with the incorrect use of the sheet.

Mistake #1. The sheet is fixed to the sun with a side that does not contain surface UV protection. As a result, the leaf will turn yellow. The advice in this case is simple: do not remove the protective film with the marking before installation. Otherwise, you can simply confuse the parties, because. The presence or absence of UV protection cannot be determined by eye.

Mistake #2. Special thermal washers are not used. Simple self-tapping screws can damage the sheet during thermal expansion, and dirt will accumulate in places of damage. Special washers are needed in order to close the mounting hole from moisture and dirt and prevent them from entering the cells.

Mistake #3 . The ends of the cellular polycarbonate sheet are not closed (or incorrectly closed). If the ends are not closed, then the sheet becomes dirty, loses its appearance and light-transmitting properties. There is a second option: the ends are closed “tightly” and the condensate that forms in the honeycombs as a result of temperature changes does not go outside. It is optimal to close the ends with a special perforated tape, and then with a profile that provides protection against dust ingress, but does not prevent moisture from escaping.

Mistake #4. Incorrect application of the sheet class. All sheets of cellular polycarbonate are divided into classes: sheets for greenhouses (4 and 6 mm) and sheets for construction (from 8 mm). For example, you can often find that in the construction of stopping complexes, a sheet 4 mm thick is used, and it is lightweight. Such a sheet may not withstand the snow load, and people may suffer as a result of such a construction error. The same applies to translucent roofs and small architectural forms.

Many users complain about the clouding of polycarbonate over time, even when contacting professional installers, does the material sometimes turn yellow? Who is guilty?

Cellular polycarbonate turns yellow (cloudy) for several reasons: exposure to the external environment (in particular the sun); low quality of raw materials; poor organization of production, lack of cleanliness in production; a high percentage of the use of secondary raw materials, its low quality and purity; violation of the extrusion modes of a sheet of cellular polycarbonate.

Slow down the process of degradation of cellular polycarbonate under the influence of the sun. Surface UV protection (applied by co-extrusion). The presence of these components must be indicated in the marking and passport for a sheet of cellular polycarbonate.

Let us dwell in more detail on the cause of turbidity of cellular polycarbonate as a result of a violation of the sheet extrusion regimes during production. Extruding a cellular polycarbonate sheet is a complex process for which it is very important to maintain the same parameters, including a constant extrusion temperature. Here the leading role is played by the class of equipment installed in the production. If the accuracy class of the equipment is low, then the fluctuation of its parameters will occur in waves. The sheet will be extruded over an extended temperature range and underforming of the polymer may be observed. And as a result: a cloudy sheet, with great internal tension. The accuracy class of equipment is an indicator that shows how equipment can perform its task in a given range. Accordingly, on some equipment you can produce a spaceship, and on some just a clay pot

Thus, in order to avoid clouding of cellular polycarbonate, you need to choose a sheet produced on Italian or German equipment with a high accuracy class.

How to deal with moisture inside the cells?

For the free exit of condensate from the cells during installation, they should be oriented in the direction of the slope. It is also necessary to use the correct perforated tape and profile, which will allow moisture to escape.

1. What is cellular polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate as a substance is a solid, colorless polymer plastic used in the production in the form of granules. It is strong, light, optically transparent, plastic, frost-resistant, a good dielectric, environmentally friendly and durable. Cellular or, as it is also called, cellular polycarbonate - plastic obtained by extrusion, is a hollow panel of various thicknesses and structures, which are interconnected by longitudinal bridges - stiffeners. Polycarbonate belongs to the class of synthetic polymers and is a complex linear polyester of carbonic acid and phenols.

2. What is UV protection?

Cellular polycarbonate, despite its strength, is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. For most manufacturers, UV protection is “in the mass”. In addition to this protection, traditionally all products have a protective UV layer applied by co-extrusion, and it is this layer that prevents the sheet from being destroyed by sunlight. The layer can be applied on one or both sides. Without this technology, the service life of cellular polycarbonate does not exceed 2-3 years.

3. How flexible is cellular polycarbonate sheet?

The panels can be both slightly bent and twisted to the minimum allowable radius, while there is no need for heat treatment of the sheets, and only the natural properties of polycarbonates are used. Compressing and twisting the panel beyond the minimum allowable radius results in increased pressure and deformation of the surface. As a result, bursting or wrinkling of the sheet, which is not serviced under warranty

4. How to properly care for the coating?

Panels will last much longer if kept clean. Rainwater is usually sufficient for the panels to clean themselves. Individual areas can be cleaned with weakly concentrated detergents. Make sure the cleaner you choose does not contain abrasives or solvents. Wet with warm water, then scrub the dirty areas with a soft sponge or brush, preferably hot water. When the dirt is gone, rinse the panel with water and dry with a soft cloth.

Grease or tar stains can be removed with diluted ethyl alcohol. Rub the stain gently with a soft cloth. Next, rinse as described above with plenty of water. Avoid rubbing the panels against each other, even if they are still under the protective film. This creates static electricity, which attracts dust and dirt and makes cleaning difficult.

5. What are the main advantages of cellular polycarbonate?

• Ease
  Polycarbonate is 16 times lighter than glass. This means that it will allow you to significantly save on delivery and installation, because you do not have to build complex structures.
• Transparency
  Cellular polycarbonate transmits up to 90% of light, dispersing it evenly. At the same time, it has the ability to retain harmful ultraviolet rays, which makes this material indispensable for covering greenhouses.
• thermal insulation
  According to this characteristic, polycarbonate is not inferior to double-glazed windows. At the same time, its price is much more affordable.
• Soundproofing
  Sheets of cellular polycarbonate perfectly hold not only the temperature, but also the sound. This makes them indispensable for glazing industrial premises with a high noise level.
• Heat and fire resistance
  Polycarbonate does not change its properties in a huge temperature range: at -50 and +120 degrees it retains its flexibility, ability to retain heat and other general characteristics. And in case of fire, the polycarbonate material simply melts, preventing the fire from spreading.
• Strength
  Cellular polycarbonate is not afraid of even strong blows. Therefore, it is actively used to create shop windows and internal office partitions. In addition, polycarbonate can easily withstand heavy loads. For example, it can be used to create a roof, and the sheets do not deform under the weight of snow. Given the long service life of polycarbonate, its prices are very favorable.
• Attractive look
  Cellular polycarbonate is available in various color variations and has a beautiful glossy surface, which allows it to be used in the decoration of any modern buildings.

6. Where can polycarbonate be used?

• In greenhouses and conservatories
  Even the most capricious plants will be under the reliable protection of this material. Cellular polycarbonate creates a stable temperature and protects against aggressive ultraviolet radiation. In this case, the planting will receive the necessary amount of light. In polycarbonate greenhouses you can create an optimal microclimate for a wide variety of plants.
• For showcases and pavilions
  This material has an attractive appearance and a wide variety of shades. In addition, cellular polycarbonate is highly flexible, which means it allows you to build complex structures, including curved shapes. As a result, you get the opportunity to implement any design ideas that will favorably distinguish your outlet from others.
• In the glazing of industrial buildings
  An important feature of cellular polycarbonate is its strength and resistance to various influences. Even in the most extreme temperature conditions or with strong impacts, the glazing will not suffer, while retaining its thermal insulation properties. This resistance of polycarbonate is indispensable in industrial buildings where the glass does not withstand the load properly.
• In the creation of office partitions
  Polycarbonate fits perfectly into modern office design. Its flexibility will allow you to create partitions of any complexity. At the same time, due to the strength of cellular polycarbonate, such an office design will not require frequent repairs. Quick care and resistance to all detergents will provide you with additional benefits.
• In pools and showers
  Cellular polycarbonate shows excellent moisture resistant properties. It does not lose strength and appearance even from constant contact with water of different temperatures.

7. What are thermal washers for?

They are needed to neutralize thermal expansion. At large temperature differences, cellular polycarbonate is subject to temperature deformation. The thermal washer provides reliable point fastening of a sheet of cellular polycarbonate due to the large area of ​​​​support, provides reliable fastening, prevents the formation of a "wave" in summer and gaps in winter.

8. What are the dimensions of polycarbonate sheets?

Standard dimensions are 2100x6000 mm or 2100x12000 mm.

9. What colors of cellular polycarbonate are available?

Cellular polycarbonate is produced in 13 standard colors: transparent, yellow, red, green, turquoise, bronze, burgundy, brown, blue, milky, crushed ice, crushed ice bronze, silver.

10. How many chambers are there in polycarbonate?

one-, two-, three-, four-chamber

12. Why close the ends of polycarbonate?

In order for polycarbonate to remain clean and transparent, it is necessary to close the ends of the sheets. The ends are closed as follows: the upper open ends - with a sealing tape and an end profile to prevent the ingress of water, dust and snow, the lower ends - with a special perforated tape that does not interfere with air circulation and an end profile.

13. Do I need to remove the protective film from the surface of the honeycomb polycarbonate sheet?

You remove the protective film from the surface of the sheet after the installation is completed. It is necessary to protect the sheets during loading and unloading, transportation and installation. If you leave it, then under the influence of the sun after a while it can “stick” to the sheet, and it will be problematic to remove it in the future.

14. Will polycarbonate turn yellow over time?

In order to prevent the polycarbonate from turning yellow and cloudy, a uniform special UV protective layer is applied on the cellular polycarbonate, which protects the material from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation (hard short-wave radiation, harmful to both people and plants). This protective layer is located under the marking film. With proper installation, the sheets must be installed with the UV protective layer facing out.

15. How to determine after removing the protective film on which side of the cellular polycarbonate sheet there is a protective layer from ultraviolet radiation?

When installing polycarbonate, it is important to remember that the protective film must be removed only after cutting the sheets and installing it. During installation, the film must be removed at the attachment points. If you have removed the film from the sheet, then you can determine the side of the sheet with a protective UV layer on a fresh cut of a transparent sheet - a slightly bluish thin layer will be visible there.

16. Is cellular polycarbonate used for the manufacture of canopies and protective canopies over basement floors?

Due to its shock-resistant properties, cellular polycarbonate is most suitable for the manufacture of canopies and canopies over entrances and protection of pits for basement floors. Polycarbonate sheets are vandal resistant and aesthetically pleasing. However, even durable polycarbonate sheets can be destroyed when large icicles from roofs hit them.

17. Is it possible to mount polycarbonate cells along the roof, and not across?

It is impossible, because honeycombs located parallel to the ground will prevent the removal of condensing moisture. It also increases the likelihood of snow bags on a polycarbonate sheet in winter. And when installing an arched roof, this can lead to a break in the sheet.

18. Is it possible to install cellular polycarbonate in winter?

Yes, you can. Cellular polycarbonate can be bent in a cold state. However, at temperatures below -25 degrees, installation is undesirable.

19. Can polycarbonate be used instead of glass?

Cellular polycarbonate is 200 times stronger and 8 times lighter than glass and can be used as its replacement. Thus, polycarbonate panels are resistant to hail and represent a safe glazing. Polycarbonate panels do not break or crack, and, therefore, there are no sharp fragments upon impact.

20. How resistant is polycarbonate to environmental influences?

Cellular polycarbonate feels great in the temperature range from -40°С to +120°С, completely retaining all mechanical and optical properties. Cellular polycarbonate panels can withstand significant wind and snow loads.

21. What are the thermal insulation characteristics of polycarbonate?

The air layer in cellular polycarbonate panels is an excellent heat insulator. Even the thinnest panels of cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 4 mm are almost twice as good as simple glazing in terms of thermal insulation. 8mm thick panels are comparable to double glazing, and 16-25mm panels outperform triple glazing.

22. How well does light penetrate polycarbonate?

The light transmission of transparent two-layer panels of cellular polycarbonate reaches 86%. The light transmission of cellular polycarbonate panels practically does not decrease during long-term operation on the street. Hard ultraviolet radiation (range less than 400 nanometers), which has a harmful effect on humans, plants and equipment, practically does not pass through the polycarbonate sheet. The transmission of useful rays is optimal. The transmission of rays located in the extreme part of the infrared zone of the spectrum (more than 5000 nm) by cellular polycarbonate is minimal, as a result of which the heat radiated by objects inside the enclosed space remains inside, creating a "greenhouse effect", which is an additional advantage when using this material as greenhouse glazing , greenhouses, winter gardens, etc. All types of cellular polycarbonate panels favorably scatter light, repeatedly reflecting rays of penetrating light from all surfaces (top layer, stiffeners, bottom layer).

23. Is polycarbonate a fireproof material?

Cellular polycarbonate has a fire safety certificate, which confirms the compliance of this product with the established requirements, and belongs to the group of low-combustible materials. It burns only in an open flame and is self-extinguishing, does not contribute to the spread of combustion, does not form burning drops, during combustion only swelling of the material occurs and light threads are formed that have time to cool before falling. And finally, the holes formed during the melting of the polycarbonate panels contribute to the removal of smoke in the event of a fire.

24. What is the service life of polycarbonate?

The warranty period of operation of cellular polycarbonate panels is more than 10 years. In practice, the service life of cellular polycarbonate panels as a roofing material is not limited to 10 years, and in stable weather conditions it reaches 15-20 years. We draw your attention to the fact that the most important condition for the long service life of cellular polycarbonate is compliance with all the rules for storage, transportation, installation and subsequent operation of the material. The purchaser is solely responsible for deciding that the finished cellular polycarbonate product is suitable for a particular purpose and that actual operating conditions are acceptable for this product.

25. Is it possible to cut polycarbonate, and how to do it?

Cutting polycarbonate panels with a thickness of 4 mm can be carried out with a special construction or breadboard knife with a retractable blade. When cutting a sheet of cellular polycarbonate, the protective film must remain intact, preventing scratches. For cutting thicker sheets, a high-speed circular saw with an emphasis is used, equipped with blades with fine, not set teeth, reinforced with hard alloys. It is recommended to use saws with a speed of at least 3200 rpm. The sheets must be firmly fixed to prevent vibration. After completing the procedure, remove the remnants of dust and small chips from the cut edges of the sheet with compressed air or a vacuum cleaner.

26. How to join polycarbonate sheets?

The installation of polycarbonate panels is carried out using the original HP polycarbonate connecting one-piece profiles, as well as detachable profiles (base, cover) HCP of our own production.

27. There is a protective film on the sheets of cellular polycarbonate, should it be removed?

Cellular polycarbonate sheets have a special one- or two-sided UV protective coating. The side or sides with this coating usually have a labeled film. The protective film must be removed during installation, otherwise it will “stick” to the material in the sun.

28. Should polycarbonate fences be installed?

Those who wish to build a light, pretty, modern-looking fence around their territory can recommend a fence made of polycarbonate. This material not only looks great, but can be easily combined with any other material such as metal, concrete, brick, wood and many others. You can easily create a design with decorative elements, supports and lighting. When it comes to color and design, polycarbonate structures have the widest range of options. A fence made of cellular polycarbonate has several excellent qualities at once. It has ultra-high impact resistance (cellular polycarbonate with low weight is 200 times stronger than glass, 8 times stronger than acrylic plastics and PVC). Heat and cold will not make any impression on this material (cellular polycarbonate is suitable for use in the temperature range from -40 ºС to +120 ºС.). It is also an environmentally friendly inert material, does not emit harmful substances into the environment and is absolutely safe for people. Fences made of this material have high soundproofing properties. Installation takes a little time.
Given the huge variety of frame designs and polycarbonate itself, you can show an unprecedented imagination and translate it into the manufacture of a fence, while receiving an exclusive product. Thus, the answer to the question posed is quite obvious - polycarbonate building envelopes are an extremely interesting option, and for those who are ready for beautiful and original solutions, a polycarbonate fence is definitely worth installing!

29. In what area, what thickness is polycarbonate better to use?

The thickness of polycarbonate is an important factor when choosing a material for transparent structures. There are two most common types of polycarbonate - cellular and monolithic.

Cellular polycarbonate is a polymeric material in the form of sheets with a cellular structure. A sheet of such polycarbonate consists of two special layers with special stiffeners (in the form of honeycombs). The most commonly used polycarbonate sheets are 4 to 25mm thick. There is also reinforced polycarbonate (4mm, 6mm, 10mm, 16mm), which is a unique material, the only manufacturer of which in Russia is CJSC CARBOGLASS. Its peculiarity lies in the presence of additional stiffeners, which significantly increases the strength of the structure and increases its resistance to environmental factors.

The thicker the polycarbonate sheet, the lower its thermal conductivity, and this accordingly leads to a reduction in the cost of electricity and heat (heating or cooling), and hence financial resources.

Cellular polycarbonate, depending on the thickness, is used in the following areas:

6-8 mm- wide use (hotbeds, greenhouses, sheds).

10 mm- overlapping of horizontal and vertical surfaces (barriers on highways, skylights)

16- 25 mm- transparent roofs of houses.

32 mm- roofing with special requirements (for large impacts and loads)

It should be noted that 4 mm thick sheets are not intended for use as transparent roofs, houses or canopies, in regions where strong gusty winds and snowfalls are possible.

After buying polycarbonate, many people ask themselves the question - is it necessary to peel off the film from it after installation, because with it the design looks more colorful and attractive? You can see very colorful film coverings on some areas of private houses, which depict fruits, vegetables or other objects. When a person mounts a structure from this material for the first time, he is thrown into doubt by its beautiful appearance - should I remove the film or leave it for decoration? On the one hand, the film is pleasing to the eye, and on the other, whether there will be any harm from it. So the correct answer to this question is, of course, it is necessary, otherwise some problems may arise with the material later. By the way, if you need polycarbonate, follow this link http://unistframe.ru/catalog/monolitnyy-polikarbonat/.

The film on the sheets is exclusively for transport, it protects their surface during transportation and storage in a warehouse. When the film has already been purchased and installed in its place, it is no longer needed. Sometimes people who are not very knowledgeable in this matter take the transport protective layer for a film designed to protect the sheet from ultraviolet radiation. For reference, the ultraviolet-retaining layer is transparent, very hard to see with the naked eye and very difficult to erase. Therefore, you should not worry that along with the protective film you will remove the protection from UV rays.

Cellular or solid polycarbonate on the inside and outside

Cellular or monolithic polycarbonate has an outer surface and an inner one. On the outside, as a rule, the brand name, manufacturer, product warranty and information about the available UV protection are applied. This side is always colored, sometimes even decorated with drawings.

If you do not remove this color film, the dark areas of the pattern applied to it will firmly stick to polycarbonate, dismantling the film, covered with tatters, darkened and lost its entire appearance, becomes quite problematic. In this situation, along with the protective film, sun protection can also be dismantled, the film will firmly stick to it and damage it. In addition, in winter, it will slow down the snow, while on a clean surface it would easily come off.

Do I need to remove the film from the polycarbonate from the inside of the sheet? Here, the coating is most often completely transparent, but it also needs to be removed, since the film traps light. If you leave it, then in a couple of years it will disrupt the appearance of the product.

Polycarbonate is a hard, colorless polymer plastic that is used in the form of granules. Due to its heat-insulating properties and impact resistance, this material has found wide application in construction. If you decide to use it, then you should first find out if it is necessary to remove the protective film from polycarbonate.

This material has already managed to become quite common and popular not only in the construction market, but also in other areas of human activity. But, before proceeding to describe the advantages of the material, it is worth noting that, unfortunately, it is not without its shortcomings. And although there are many more of the former, the latter should also be considered when choosing a material.

Advantages

1. Durability and high fire resistance. This material practically does not burn, and its resistance to mechanical stress is 20 times higher than that of glass;
2. It is impossible not to note the thermal insulation properties of the material, which are provided due to its structure;
3. Polycarbonate is produced in sheets that come in a wide range of colors and are protected by a film that must be removed before use. Customers can purchase material from standard yellow to exclusive colors such as metallic and bronze. If you do not find a suitable one among a wide range of color shades, then in this case a colored film will come to the rescue, which can be glued to the glass. True, over time, it can peel off or lose its color. Still, it is better to dwell on polycarbonate, because in its production special dyes are used that do not change their color over time;
4. Polycarbonate can be quite compared with metal, since it is not much inferior to it in terms of its strength. But, at the same time, compared to metal, this raw material is much lighter, does not corrode and easily takes the required shape.

disadvantages

It was not without its shortcomings. These include:

1. The capriciousness of the material during processing and the fear of scratches. And although the resulting damage is most often not very noticeable and does not interfere with work, this is not a very pleasant quality;
2. The material is afraid of ultraviolet rays, which can lead to its destruction. To prevent this, during the manufacture of raw materials, a special protective film is extruded, which fits snugly against the sheet. Here it is important to know how to determine the sides of polycarbonate before applying it;
3. Another property of the material is its ability to contract and expand. This should be taken into account when using polycarbonate and when installing structures, provide for a "thermal gap".

Life time

Service life depends on many factors. Most often, manufacturers give a ten-year guarantee, which applies to virgin material made from high quality raw materials. But with proper operation, this period can be significantly increased. Such material is not cheap, but you can also choose a cheaper option, when polycarbonate is obtained by mixing primary raw materials and secondary ones obtained as a result of processing worn-out sheets, as shown in the photo. Cheap varieties do not guarantee you a long service life, so when choosing, you need to decide what comes first for you - price or quality, especially if you are going to build a greenhouse.

Sheet bending

During installation, bending of sheets of any kind of polycarbonate should be avoided. The only thing that can be allowed in case of emergency is to bend strictly along the line of channels, that is, along the long side of the sheet.

Removing the protective film

All sheets are protected by a special film that protects the material from scratches during handling, transportation and installation. It is recommended to remove it immediately after installation in order to prevent its tight adhesion to the material, which in the future will make the process of its removal quite problematic.

It is important to determine the front sides of the polycarbonate in advance. This is not difficult to do, since it is on them that there is a protective film, as can be seen in the photo. In this case, there are several options for fixing the material:

• a transparent film is applied on both sides - the material is completely protected from exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• The film is applied only on one side, and the marking is applied on the other. It is easy to determine which side to put polycarbonate on - such a sheet should be directed to the sun's rays with the marked side, as seen in the photo;
• the marking is applied on both sides - the material is perfectly protected on both sides from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Summing up

To appreciate all the advantages of polycarbonate, it must be purchased and used in construction work. By listening to our advice, you can be sure that the material will last a long time and will justify every penny spent on it.

Do I need to remove the film from polycarbonate

When purchasing polycarbonate, the buyer often asks the question: is it necessary to remove the film from polycarbonate?

Sometimes we see in summer cottages or even at construction sites in the city how such a colorful polycarbonate is covered with a film with drawings of such pretty tomatoes. And the person who encounters this plastic for the first time begins to doubt - to get rid of the film or to leave it all, so beautiful with inscriptions, because with it the design seems to be more pleasing to the eye?

The correct answer is to remove the film, otherwise there will be problems.

This is just a shipping film that protects the sheets during shipping and storage, so it should be removed when no more sheet movement is planned. Some summer residents confuse the shipping film with a protective UV layer that protects the sheet from ultraviolet radiation. The UV layer is invisible and does not peel off, you can't accidentally remove it, so don't worry about it.

It is necessary to remove the film coating on both sides and do this immediately before installation. It is important for you to remember or even mark with a marker on which side of the sheet the UV protection is located (this information is on the shipping film you remove) and lay this side outward, towards the sun.

In fact, this is the most important thing - not to confuse the side with UV protection. In a hurry and in the hustle and bustle of the country, you just have to get a little distracted and mix up the sides, then you can forget about the long service life of polycarbonate and its guarantee.

And what will happen if you do not remove the film from polycarbonate? There will be nothing good, we will talk about it below.

Film on the outside of polycarbonate

On the outside of the sheet on the film coating, the brand, manufacturer, warranty, as well as information on UV protection are indicated. That is, it is colored, and even with drawings.

If you do not remove the film from the outside of the polycarbonate, then it will literally stick to the polycarbonate sheet with dark areas of the pattern and it will be difficult to remove it later, which has already become ugly and in tatters. And, moreover, by leaving the outer film on the sheet, you jeopardize the safety of the UV protection layer - it will stick to it and then peel off only with it.

In winter, the film left behind will trap snow, and without it, it would be much easier to slide off the polycarbonate sheet.

Film on the inside of the sheet

On the inside of the sheet, the film is usually completely transparent. It should also be removed to increase the light transmission of the sheet. Well, if you don’t remove it, then in two years it can ruin the appearance of your wet nurse or canopy.

In general, do not give yourself unnecessary trouble, feel free to remove the shipping film from polycarbonate.

Do I need to remove the film from polycarbonate

Installation instructions

When installing polycarbonate, we usually deal with with three types of structures:

• arched (in this case, the sheet bends to a certain radius);
• vertical;
• horizontal.

Arched structures require particularly careful and accurate installation. Each sheet thickness corresponds to its own minimum bending radius, which should never be exceeded, otherwise, if the linear dimensions change under the influence of temperature, the sheet may crack at the attachment points, or burst at the bend.

Horizontal and vertical (as well as inclined) installation are made taking into account:

• significant thermal expansion of the polycarbonate sheet;
• the need to install sealing elements;
• the location and nature of protection against ultraviolet radiation (it can be film - one- and two-sided - and protection in the mass, created with the help of special additives before extrusion).

Wherever it is necessary to drill a hole for a fastener, the area without a protective film (if any) should be kept to a minimum. In addition, care must be taken to ensure that with one-sided UV protection, the film is located on the outer surface of the sheet.

Polycarbonate sheets are attached to the frame using ordinary self-tapping screws, which are complemented by an important element - a thermal washer, the inner diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the self-tapping screw or other fastener. The washer allows you to compensate for the thermal expansion of the material: shrinking and expanding, it remains securely fixed.

Accounting for the gap between the edges of the sheet and the frame elements limiting it from the sides (if any) is also very important - the gap is left again so that the polycarbonate has room to expand when heated.

Is it possible to bend sheets of cellular polycarbonate?

Bending of cellular polycarbonate panels is allowed only along the line of channels, i.e. along the long side of the sheet. The bending radius should be 175 times the thickness of the sheet being bent.

Why close the ends of polycarbonate?

In order for your polycarbonate to remain clean and transparent, it is necessary to close the ends of the sheets. The ends are closed as follows: the upper open ends - with a sealing tape and an end profile to prevent the ingress of water, dust and snow, the lower ends - with a special perforated tape that does not interfere with air circulation and an end profile.

Do I need to remove the protective film?

You remove the protective film from the surface of the sheet after the installation is completed.

It is necessary to protect the sheets during loading and unloading, transportation and installation. If you leave it, then under the influence of the sun after a while it can stick to the sheet, and tearing it off in the future will be problematic.

Which side to attach cellular polycarbonate to the sun?

The front side of polycarbonate is determined by the factory protective film on the sheet.

There are several options:

• the film is transparent on both sides - the sheet is evenly protected from ultraviolet radiation in the mass;
• the film is transparent on one side, marked on the other side (sheets made in Russia) - to the sun with the marked side;
• the film is transparent on one side, marked on the other side (brand LEXAN, Austria) - the sheet is protected on both sides;
• the film is marked on both sides – the sheet is protected on both sides.

Do I need to remove the protective film from cellular polycarbonate?

When a greenhouse is made of it.

Yes, you need to shoot. This protective film protects polycarbonate from mechanical damage during its installation. But at the same time, one must not forget that one side of cellular polycarbonate has protection from ultraviolet radiation, and it is necessary to mount the sheets with this side outward, otherwise the polycarbonate will collapse over time from ultraviolet radiation. Usually, the side with UV protection is covered with a blue film, and the side without protection is covered with white.

The mounting protective film must be removed, otherwise it will be very, very difficult to remove it later, but this must be done only after delivery and installation, you do not need to remove it before.

Initially, this protective film was applied only to protect against scratches during loading and transportation.

The protective film on cellular polycarbonate is designed to protect it during transportation. After installation, this film will need to be removed.

Otherwise, it can simply “solder” to the surface in the sun and then it will become more difficult to remove it.

You should not worry about the polycarbonate itself, of course, if you bought a good and high-quality one. Since a good cellular polycarbonate has a protective layer against UV radiation (front side), which protects the polycarbonate itself from fading, drying, yellowing and cracking.

Do I need to remove the protective film from cellular polycarbonate?