How to cover a greenhouse with polycarbonate: installation principles and rules for fixing the coating

Polycarbonate - what it is

Polycarbonate is a hard transparent or translucent plastic that is very durable and, compared to glass, is lighter in weight.

There are two main types of this material.

1. Monolithic - is a solid sheet of polycarbonate.
2. Cellular (honeycomb) polycarbonate - hollow cells with partitions are located in it between the solid upper and lower layers of material. A sheet can have one, two, three rows of cells, sometimes even more. The walls of the cells also play the role of stiffeners.

Types of cellular polycarbonate

Table. The main dimensions of polycarbonate sheets.

Methods for fixing polycarbonate. Thermal washers

The device is a plastic washer with a short leg, having a length equal to the thickness of the sheet of material, taking into account the sealing rubber and the snap-on cover.

Thermal washers allow you to attach polycarbonate to the greenhouse with absolutely complete tightness, if the installation process was carried out correctly. At the same time, keep the step within 30-40 cm.

Profile

It is used if the width of the building is more than 2.1 m - the standard size of the smaller side of the polycarbonate. Profiles are connecting, one-piece, split and end.

Each variety has its own purpose and strengths. But in general, whatever you choose, with the correct installation, everything will turn out reliably and easily.

One-piece profiles are inconvenient to lay and connect when the length of the slope is more than three meters. Split profiles are a little more expensive, but it is more convenient to work with them, and the design itself will turn out to be more reliable.

Sealing tape

The sealing tape is intended for gluing the upper edge of the panels when installing the slopes, after which the end profile must be put on the polycarbonate

Please note that when arranging roofs in the form of arches, the lower edge of the panels must be sealed with perforated tape. If this is not done, the air in the form of condensation will come out, and in cold weather even honeycomb rupture may occur.

In no case should the ends of polycarbonate sheets be pasted over with tape, use only the end profile for this.

Polycarbonate web direction

As noted above, the cutting of the cloth to the ends is carried out in two directions:

• from top to bottom along the slope;
• by the bending of the frame.

In order not to be mistaken with the direction, you need to pay attention to the protective film pasted on the inside, which is marked accordingly. On the outside of the canvas there is a special UV coating

Sheets are cut quite easily, along a honeycomb tube, which acts as an excellent limiter for the blade. Crosswise and diagonally, the canvas is not cut, since there is a high probability of cracking, and besides, it will take quite a lot of effort to cut.

The plastic is cut across in two stages: first, the top layer is cut, and then the sheet is finally divided into two parts.

Varieties

In addition to carrying out the appropriate calculations, you need to decide on the type of roofing material:

1. Cellular polycarbonate. Suitable for the construction of translucent structures such as greenhouses and sheds, as well as for vertical surfaces.
2. Monolithic polycarbonate. It is the best solution for building roofs, as it has greater transparency and is able to withstand weather conditions.

Today, polycarbonate is produced in a variety of colors. This material is transparent, blue, purple, green, bronze and other colors. The color of polycarbonate affects the scope of its use. For example, transparent material is ideal for building greenhouses and greenhouses, and for swimming pools - turquoise or blue.

Of course, it costs more, but high-quality raw materials are used for its production, and the top is covered with a protective layer against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. In addition to polycarbonate sheets, you need to prepare tapes for the ends, sealing washers and self-tapping screws.

Cutting polycarbonate with an electric jigsaw

The choice of an electric jigsaw as a tool for cutting polycarbonate sheets can be called a kind of compromise between the speed of cutting with a grinder and the safety (as well as relative simplicity) of working with a construction knife. In addition, the jigsaw is great for cutting semicircular / round elements and complex parts.

Using an electric jigsaw to cut polycarbonate

The main thing is to choose the right file.

First, notice the shape of the prongs. Straight or wavy prongs will give you a clean and straight cut - exactly what you need

With adjustable teeth, the opposite is true - they are designed for working with wood, therefore an electric jigsaw with such a saw will not cut, but tear the polycarbonate, leaving a lot of chipping, burrs and other defects in it.

Second, pay attention to the number and size of the prongs. They should be frequent and small

These properties are determined by the TPI parameter - the number of teeth per inch. In our case, give preference to files with TPI from 9 to 13 or more.

Thirdly, ask the seller what material this or that file is designed for. You need those canvases that are designed to work with metal, plastic or plexiglass. Choose specialized files whenever possible - they will give a clean cut with a minimum of defects.

File for working with acrylic glass, plastic and polycarbonate

Step 1. Mark out a sheet of polycarbonate and prepare your work area.

Step 2. Install the file into the electric jigsaw. It is advisable to use a new and sharp blade. Fix it carefully and adjust - if it is not properly fixed, the file will vibrate and leave defects on the polycarbonate.

Step 3. Bring the jigsaw connected to the power supply to the end of the sheet along the cutting line. For more convenience, make a notch in this place in advance with a sharp knife with a retractable blade. Do not remove the protective film from the sheet until the cutting process is complete.

Cut polycarbonate for 4 m greenhouse Kremlevskaya

Step 4. Press the jigsaw base plate against the material. Make sure that the force applied to the tool is not excessively large, otherwise the polycarbonate will bend along the cut line. It is advisable that your helpers or clamps hold the sheet, not allowing it to move or vibrate.

Step 5. Turn on the electric jigsaw and let the saw speed up. As soon as it does this, start cutting into the material along the cutting line, slowly and carefully move it forward, pressing the base plate of the jigsaw against the plane of the polycarbonate. Take special care in curved sections. It is a good idea to practice cutting rounded parts in polycarbonate cuts and waste beforehand, which will give you experience and simplify your business.

Start cutting a complex-shaped element with a jigsaw
Finish trimming the polycarbonate with a jigsaw. If you do not want to stand on the material, even if you have a scaffold board, then first make a cut on one side, then on the opposite

Step 6. After completing work with the electric jigsaw, turn it off and unplug. Clean the cells of the polycarbonate sheet from chips using a vacuum cleaner or a jet of compressed air.Cut off the excess with a knife and clean the edge of the sheet from defects. Cover it with construction tape to protect the cells from dirt and dust.

Cutting polycarbonate with a hacksaw

A hacksaw for metal with small and frequent teeth is sometimes used to cut polycarbonate sheets into straight square and rectangular pieces. The process is similar to cutting with a construction knife, so if you decide to use a hacksaw, see the corresponding step-by-step instructions above.

Hacksaw for metal

When doing this, take into account two nuances:

• hold the hacksaw at an angle of approximately 30 °;
• fix the polycarbonate sheet as well as possible; if you have a workbench and vise or clamps, use them.

But it will be more convenient and, most importantly, better quality will be to cut the material using an electric jigsaw or a construction knife with a retractable blade.

Stages of cutting and installation of polycarbonate

Preparation and markup

These step-by-step instructions for preparing the workplace are common for all types of tools used, except for the industrial laser and milling machine.

Step 1. Clear the work area of ​​debris and unnecessary items. This is necessary not just for reasons of cleanliness, but so that they do not interfere with the process and do not leave dents, scratches or other marks on the back of the sheet.

Preparation of the workplace

Step 2. Lay a sheet of plywood, chipboard or fiberboard on the site. The cutting area is now as flat as possible.

Step 3. Transfer and place a sheet of polycarbonate on the workstation. If it has a laminated, mirror or UV coating, then it should "look" up. Do not remove the protective film from the sheet until you finish cutting the material.

Step 4. Perform preliminary layout in the form of a diagram on paper, observing the scale.

Cutting drawing of polycarbonate sheet

Step 5. Transfer the layout from the paper to the polycarbonate. For measurements, use a tape measure, a metal ruler and a rule, for drawing cutting lines - a black marker.

Polycarbonate sheet marking

When working with sheets of a large area, place a board on top (at least 100 mm wide) and walk only on it so as not to damage the polycarbonate surface. Examples of cutting material for the gable of greenhouses are shown in the image below.

Cutting out a polycarbonate sheet for a greenhouse pediment

Step 6. Not far from the cutting line, to the left and to the right, put boards at least 4 cm high and at least 10-15 wide under the polycarbonate. Their ends should "look out" from under the sheet on both sides. The boards act as props to prevent the tool from cutting directly into the backing material.

Step 7. As with striping, when cutting polycarbonate, move not along the surface of the sheet, but along a wide board lying on it. Working as a kind of "ski", it reduces the risk of damage and deformation of the material under the weight of the cutter.

An example of using a substrate from boards

Cutting steps

After all the calculations have been made, the cutting lines have been drawn, you can proceed directly to cutting.

• You need to put boards under the sides of the canvas. This is done so that there is a gap under the cut line, which will minimize vibration when cutting.
• If you plan to cut the sheet in a semicircle, then you will have to turn it periodically. You can use a grinder to cut greenhouse parts in a straight line. And in order to correctly cut a sheet of a rounded or curly shape on the pediment of the structure - an electric jigsaw.
• After work, all sections of the sheets must be blown with a strong stream of air to remove excess particles. This is especially true for cellular polycarbonate.
• To prevent condensation from accumulating in the honeycomb, dust, dirt and insects, before assembling the greenhouse, seal the cuts with a special sealing tape.It should be perforated on the bottom side, and solid on the top.

Arrangement of the inner space of the greenhouse

Targets and goals:

• creating an optimal microclimate for plants: humidity, temperature, lighting and ventilation;
• organization of a comfortable workplace;
• rational use of space.

Interior planning

So, one of the main questions in the arrangement of the internal space is how to make beds in a greenhouse from polycarbonate. This is the first thing to think about even at the stage of creating drawings. The yield depends on how they are located - and this is the main task of the gardener.

The location of the beds in a greenhouse depends on its size and where it is located. Possible options:

• two ridges with 1 passage between them;
• three ridges with 2 passes;
• transverse beds.

It all depends on the capabilities of the gardener. If it is too expensive to build a large greenhouse, you can make a calculation for 2 beds 80-95 cm wide.The minimum width of the passage is 50 cm, the most convenient is 70 cm.

If financial possibilities permit, the greenhouse is calculated for three beds. Moreover, the middle bed can be wider than the side ones. It can be accessed from both sides, so it can be made 1.5 m wide.

The relief of the site can be with a slope, and this also affects the location of the landings. In this case, it is advisable to arrange the beds across the structure. This will help maintain light conditions for the plants and prevent water from dripping off the beds downhill.

Arrangement of beds and aisles

The beds in the greenhouse should be raised 20-30 cm above ground level and fenced off.

This will make it easier to care for the plants, will increase the fertile soil layer and prevent soil from falling from the garden to the paths.

Material that can be used for the sides of the beds:

1. Wood. These can be boards, beams and small-diameter logs. Disadvantages of such a fence:
   • fragility - wood rots under the influence of moisture;
   • using antiseptics for impregnation can harm the plants.
2. Brick, concrete or stone. The most durable material, but it will take much longer to arrange the beds. But it will also serve for more than a dozen years.
3. Flat slate or polymer materials that are resistant to aggressive environments and biological influences.

Often, fences are sold complete with a polycarbonate greenhouse.

When planning the width of the aisles, it must be borne in mind that not only will a person walk along them, he will also carry buckets and watering cans. If the passage is too narrow, they will brush and injure the plants.

There is always high humidity in greenhouses, so you should think about what the paths will be covered with. They shouldn't be slippery.

Best coverage options:

• dense rubber;
• geotextile;
• decking (garden parquet).

Budget options:

• fine gravel with sand;
• paving slabs;
• brick;
• roofing felt with boards laid on top.

Don't forget about aesthetics. It is much more pleasant to work in a beautiful and clean interior space.

Polycarbonate greenhouse partition

The need for them arises when not quite friendly cultures coexist nearby. For example, cucumbers and tomatoes, which have completely different temperature and humidity requirements.

The most reliable way to separate different cultures from each other is to install a solid polycarbonate partition with a door.

This option is best used when there are tomatoes in the greenhouse that need constant air movement in the greenhouse.

If it is not possible to install a polycarbonate partition, it can be made from a film stretched over the frame.

The main condition for installing any partition is to provide sufficient ventilation in the room to quickly adjust the temperature and humidity.

This will require additional vents or a forced ventilation system.

"Storeroom" in the greenhouse

You must admit that it is not very convenient to carry the necessary equipment for working with plants from home every time. This means that it should provide a place for storing it. At the stage of creating a drawing, you can calculate the place for the "hallway".

This can be a small vestibule where buckets, watering cans, a shovel, a rake, fertilizers and everything else that is necessary for caring for plants will stand.

Shelves, cells or other storage facilities are limited only by the gardener's imagination. If it is not possible to make a vestibule, utility compartments can be organized right in the greenhouse.

It is especially convenient to do this when the plants are grown not in the ground, but on racks. The least comfortable levels - lower and upper - can be adjusted for these purposes.

Features of cutting vents

There are several ways to properly cut polycarbonate on the vents. But the most effective and easiest to implement is the following:

1. On the already assembled greenhouse, it is necessary to mark the future location of the vents.
2. Then cut out the area in accordance with the previously applied dimensions.
3. The end sides of the canvas installed on the greenhouse must be closed with mounting tape, then protected with an end profile.
4. With the help of a profile pipe or a bar, make a crate of the area under the window.
5. The cut out part of the polycarbonate sheet should also be processed: close the ends and equip the frame.
6. At the final stage, it remains only to attach the window leaf using ordinary door hinges.

Frequent beginner mistakes

Of course, unprepared people do not always cut polycarbonate to the ends of the greenhouse correctly and the first time. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most common mistakes made by beginners:

incorrect orientation of the sheet. The material should be cut along the location of the honeycomb;
wrong choice of material. Often too thick sheets are acquired for a greenhouse. This leads not only to an increase in the cost of the entire structure, but also complicates the installation work;
cutting "by eye". Remember, in order to ensure the correct cutting of polycarbonate on the ends of the greenhouse, the scheme must be developed;
when creating a circuit, thermal clearances are not taken into account

It is also important to consider that during assembly, connecting profiles will be mounted.

We also offer you to get acquainted with the thematic video, which tells about all the features of cutting polycarbonate canvas.

With strict observance of the instructions, it is not difficult to mark and cut off the polycarbonate sheet. This means that it will not be difficult to assemble the greenhouse yourself, without resorting to the services of installers.

• The cost of polycarbonate Ready-made polycarbonate is used to cover roofs, greenhouses, verandas, awnings, swings, sliding windows, etc. Popularity ...
• Swing made of polycarbonate The great popularity of swing with a roof made of polycarbonate is associated with the convenience and aesthetic appearance of this element of the garden landscape. ...
• Polycarbonate awnings More and more owners of cottages and country houses choose modern high-quality materials when arranging the territory. For example, for the construction of gazebos ...
• Polycarbonate windows In the country house, for glazing gazebos, attics, verandas use a polycarbonate double-glazed window. The decision in his favor summer residents ...
• Polycarbonate partitions It is used for ...
• Lathing for polycarbonate The construction of any object involves the construction of a roof. Increasingly, when installing private objects, polycarbonate is used, which has excellent ...
• Quickly remove the film from polycarbonate Polycarbonate is a durable, lightweight and transparent material made of hard polymer plastic. Plasticity, frost resistance, durability and other qualities of cellular polycarbonate ...
• How to close the ends of polycarbonate The popularity of designs from unique cellular polycarbonate does not stop growing. Every owner wants a greenhouse like ...

Material features

The chemical product got its name from the external similarity, in cross section, with a honeycomb honeycomb structure. Plates of cellular polycarbonate consist of several polymer sheets, they are connected to each other by longitudinal bridges, which give strength to the plate, performing the function of stiffening ribs. The number of layers can be from two to four. This structure gives polycarbonate good thermal insulation properties.

Transmitting more than 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 awnings 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 luminous flux spectrum.

1. The polycarbonate coating contains polarized mica particles, which transmit most of the light flux, reflecting infrared radiation. In rooms with glazing made of this type of polycarbonate, with sufficient lighting, the air heats up less, which makes it easier to maintain the microclimate in hot weather. Polycarbonate sheets have a pleasant pearl or golden color.
2. Another type of polycarbonate is most suitable for greenhouse glazing. Its coating transmits the part of the spectrum that promotes the best plant growth, while blocking harmful radiation. And here it is important which side to lay polycarbonate on the greenhouse. If you put the sheets incorrectly, the climate in the greenhouse will be detrimental to the plants. In addition, having lost its protection from ultraviolet radiation, polycarbonate will begin to deteriorate and quickly become unusable.
3. Highly reflective honeycomb polycarbonate. The coating contains aluminum dusting, which prevents the greenhouse effect and creates a cool shade. Metallic boards are available in three colors: silver, blue and green.

Advice

In order not to be mistaken during installation, which side to lay the polycarbonate, 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, it can have a picture or printed markings. 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 that has the same protective film on both sides. On such sheets, there is a protective layer on both sides. During installation, it does not matter which side it will be laid up.

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

Rubric: About the material.

Jigsaw

Another tool that can be used to cut polycarbonate is a household electric jigsaw. It is considered a versatile tool for sawing materials of different densities and thicknesses. The jigsaw blade is only fixed on one side, so it can be used to cut holes and curved cuts in polycarbonate. To use this tool, you must follow a few rules:

1. For processing sheets of polycarbonate plastic, a jigsaw is used, the cutting blades of which have small teeth.
2. To keep the edges of the polycarbonate straight after sawing, a new, sharp cutting blade must be used.
3. For a smooth, neat cut, you can use a metal cutting blade that cuts rather than tearing polycarbonate.
4. When processing monolithic plastic of large thickness with a jigsaw, a large amount of chips is formed, which must be promptly removed so that they do not interfere with sawing.

Electric jigsaw

Electric jigsaw cutting

How to cut polycarbonate to the ends of a greenhouse # 8211; step by step actions

# 8801; Home # 8594; About material # 8594; How to cut polycarbonate to the ends of a greenhouse # 8211; step by step actions

Spring has come and it's time to build a greenhouse. And it's time to take care of the coming harvest. To do this, you need to prepare material for the future greenhouse structure. Modern greenhouses are built from polycarbonate. From our article you will receive information on how to cut polycarbonate to the ends of a greenhouse, as well as what types of greenhouses are best used in a summer cottage.

Properties of polycarbonate

Internet resources selling household goods are full of offers for the purchase of ready-made polycarbonate greenhouses. The older generation remembers homemade greenhouse buildings covered with polyethylene. Modern greenhouses are built from polycarbonate, which, in addition to being durable, has thermal insulation. The light, which is important for the photosynthesis of the plant, passes through completely, and the harmful radiation is scattered. The only drawback of polycarbonate # 8211; it is lightness. This fact should be taken into account when loading the material.

Greenhouse construction stages

Of course, you can buy a ready-made design. But it costs more than one made by yourself. Wooden beams will probably be found in the country after construction, and polycarbonate sheets can be purchased in specialized stores. Let's say you have prepared the building material, then, for a start, you need to thoroughly approach the process so that your greenhouse does not collapse from the first gust of wind. Technologically, this process is as follows:

• site preparation. To do this, you need to remove the top layer of soil and make drainage;
• spread out concrete or wooden beams around the perimeter; - level the height of the foundation;
• along the perimeter of the foundation, we fasten wooden risers with dowels;
• we cut the polycarbonate sheet to the ends. We try to make the cuts even, otherwise our greenhouse will not only be "unpresentable", but moisture will also get through unevenly attached surfaces. How to properly cut polycarbonate for greenhouses can be found in the instructions attached to the product;
• make notations with a pencil, so that sheet # 8220; fits # 8221; to the frame. We cut out the polycarbonate in the shape of the frame with a clerical knife.

The sheets are attached to the frame with self-tapping screws. The perforated tape attached at the top can prevent moisture ingress.

Installation of ready-made greenhouses

If you have a shortage of time, you can buy ready-made parts for greenhouse buildings of the brands "Maria" and "Uvis". In terms of their functionality, they are intended for planting vegetable crops. Unlike self-made greenhouse buildings, installation of the Maria greenhouse is very simple. Some manufacturers in the instructions indicate the optional presence of a foundation for the greenhouse. But for the strength of the structure, it is still better to install the greenhouse on the base.

Construction dimensions: 3 meters wide and 4 # 8211; long, height two meters. These changes in dimensions occur only in length and are multiples of two meters - 4 meters, 6 meters, etc. The width of all greenhouses is 3 meters, with a height of 2.1 meters. The main installation step is a properly sized polycarbonate sheet. How to properly cut polycarbonate for Maria's greenhouse is described in the instructions for the product. A knife is used for cutting. Fastened to the ends of a polycarbonate sheet up to 50 mm. from the edge.

For greenhouses of type # 8220; uvis # 8221; you can choose a site without a foundation.The kit contains everything you need for installation: a metal profile, polycarbonate sheets, dowels and self-tapping screws. It is not always easy to cut polycarbonate and attach it to the end. How to cut polycarbonate for a uvis greenhouse is described in detail below in step-by-step steps:

1. Put the polycarbonate sheet face up.
2. It is necessary to press the sheet to the ends with improvised objects.
3. We fix the sheet with a self-tapping screw.
4. Carefully trim the edge of the polycarbonate with a boot knife.

In order to keep the greenhouse structures in operation as long as possible, lubricate metal joints with anti-corrosion agents. Polycarbonate requires little maintenance. In order for the greenhouse to look neat, you need to wipe the dust with a damp cloth. Do not use chemical reagents, clean the surface with a knife or metal mesh. This could damage the surface of the polycarbonate.

We hope that our advice will help you decide on the choice of a greenhouse structure and building.

In order for the vegetables in the greenhouse to grow healthy, it is sometimes necessary to ventilate it, in our article you will learn how to make a window leaf in a polymer greenhouse without much effort.