Storage, Cutting & Install Guidelines
Storage: Store in dry, shaded well ventilated and covered areas, but not under flexible PVC coverings.
Sheet Orientation Warning: Sheets may have the protective U.V. absorbing surface on both sides, or one side UV and one side Drip Guard. Sheets are covered with a thin plastic film and marked with a sticker to designate exterior side or both sides UV. Prior to installation, peel film off sheet and mark exterior side with a grease pencil.
Sheet Expansion & Contraction: Sheet will expand in hot weather and contract in cold. Figure about 1/16″ per foot for 100º of temperature change. For small greenhouses, the impact is minimal. To avoid problems follow guidelines for the Base & Cap Install System. 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 greatest amount of expansion and contraction can occur in the spring and fall. Cold nights and warm sunny days can result in dramatic temperature swings. During these times the sheet may make a creaking noise. Do not be alarmed, this is a normal effect of sheet movement as the polycarbonate expands or contracts along the framing members. On orders of poly over ten feet you will be sent an email explaining a foam tape option to help deaden the noise. Sheets under 10 ft. are usually not an issue. Also, bronze, being a dark color, will get warmer in the sun and it will be hotter under the panel, even though the light and solar transmission is less. Bronze also expands and contracts 30% more than clear or white opal.
Cutting: To cut sheet 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.
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 roof sheets with aluminum tape. This edge then gets covered with the flashing.
Sheet Installation: Refer to Base & Cap Install System and Details In Index To The Left for a graphic description of sheet and system installation.
Attachment: Fasten screws and washers as shown in Details In Index To The Left.
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 Index To The Left for details that show placement of silicone. Use Dow 999-A Silicone. Silicone should also be used at aluminum and flashing joints.
Cleaning: Clean with warm, mild soapy water, such as dish soap. 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.