How to choose the best polycarbonate for your greenhouse

Main characteristics

At the production stage, polycarbonate molecules enter a special device - an extruder. From there, under increased pressure, they are extruded into a special shape to create sheet panels. Then the material is cut into layers and covered with a protective film. The manufacturing technology of cellular polycarbonate directly affects the performance properties of the material. In the course of processing, it becomes more durable, resistant to mechanical stress, and has exceptional bearing capacity. Cellular polycarbonate in accordance with GOST R 56712-2015 has the following technical and operational characteristics.

Strength

Resistance to impacts and other mechanical damage of cellular polycarbonate is many times higher than that of glass. These properties make it possible to use the material for the installation of anti-vandal structures, it is almost impossible to damage them.

Resistant to moisture and chemicals

Slabs used in finishing are often exposed to external unfavorable factors that worsen their structure. Cellular polycarbonate is resistant to the vast majority of chemical compounds. He is not afraid:

• high concentration mineral acids;
• salts with a neutral or acidic reaction;
• most of the oxidizing and reducing agents;
• alcoholic compounds, with the exception of methanol.

At the same time, there are materials with which it is better not to combine cellular polycarbonate:

• concrete and cement;
• harsh cleaning agents;
• sealants based on alkaline compounds, ammonia or acetic acid;
• insecticides;
• methyl alcohol;
• aromatic as well as halogen type solvents.

Light transmission

Cellular polycarbonate transmits 80 to 88% of the visible color spectrum. This is less than that of silicate glass. Nevertheless, this level is quite enough to use the material for the construction of greenhouses and greenhouses.

Thermal insulation

Cellular polycarbonate is characterized by exceptional thermal insulation properties. Optimum thermal conductivity is achieved due to the presence of air particles in the structure, as well as due to the high degree of thermal resistance of the plastic itself.

Life time

Manufacturers of cellular carbonate claim that this material retains its technical and operational properties for 10 years if all the requirements for installation and maintenance of the material have been met. The outer surface of the sheet is treated with a special coating, which guarantees high protection against UV radiation. Without such a coating, the transparency of the plastic can decrease by 10-15% during the first 6 years. Damage to the coating can shorten the life of the boards and lead to their premature failure. In places where there is a high risk of deformation, it is better to use panels with a thickness of more than 16 mm. Besides, cellular polycarbonate has other characteristics.

• Fire resistance. The safety of the material is ensured by its exceptional resistance to high temperatures. Polycarbonate plastic is classified in category B1, in accordance with the European classification, it is a self-extinguishing and hardly flammable material. Near an open flame in polycarbonate, the structure of the material is destroyed, melting begins, and through holes appear. The material loses its area and thus moves away from the source of fire. The presence of these holes causes the removal of toxic combustion products and excess heat from the room.
• Light weight. Cellular polycarbonate is 5-6 times lighter than silicate glass.The mass of one sheet is no 0.7-2.8 kg, thanks to this, lightweight structures can be built from it without the construction of a massive frame.
• Flexibility. The high plasticity of the material distinguishes it favorably from glass. This allows you to create complex arched structures from the panels.
• Load bearing capacity. Certain varieties of this type of material are characterized by a high bearing capacity, sufficient to withstand the weight of a human body. That is why, in areas with increased snow load, cellular polycarbonate is often used for installing roofing.
• Soundproofing characteristics. The cellular structure results in reduced acoustic permeability.

Profiled polycarbonate Borex: characteristics, colors, profile shape

Borrex profiled polycarbonate sheet is available in a thickness of 0.8–1.4 mm in one of two profile shapes:

1. PMPL TM Borrex trapezoid 70/13: trapezoid height - 13 mm, pitch - 70 mm;
2. PMPL TM Borrex wave 76/13: wave height - 13 mm, step - 76 mm.

Borrex profile - trapezoid 70x13

Borrex profile - wave 76х13

Main characteristics of Borex polycarbonate with profiling:

1. Sheet width - 1050 mm;
2. Sheet length - 2000 mm;
3. Translucency - up to 90%;
4. Tensile strength - 72 MPa;
5. Elongation at break from stretching - 65%;
6. Notched Charpy impact strength - 91 kJ / m²;
7. The softening point is 145–150 ° С.

The rest of the material parameters are shown in the table below.

Basic formula for determining the minimum bend radius for solid polycarbonate: R = 150 h, where h is the thickness of the sheet in millimeters. Therefore, for a 0.8 mm sheet according to the formula, this radius will be equal to only 120 mm or 0.12 m. But for thin sheets, it is better to increase this value up to two times, otherwise there is a risk of material cracking.

Which side to stack the sheets up?

The waves on both Borex profiles are equal and symmetrical, therefore, during installation, it is important not to confuse the inner side with the outer one. The side with the UV protection layer should be facing the sky

You can identify it by the manufacturer's logo - it is glued to the side protected from ultraviolet radiation.

To calculate the slope of the roof, as well as to select the thickness of the material, you need to know the permissible load per 1 m² of the sheet. Basic values ​​depending on the distance between the cross supports are shown in the table below. Please note that the load is calculated for a minimum slope of 10%.

Note

The data in the table are approximate and are not suitable for an accurate calculation of the roof. For design calculations, check the values ​​with the manufacturer or use SNiP and reference materials.

Borex polycarbonate sheeting is available in 14 colors, including transparent colorless and translucent sheets called "opal". Unlike honeycomb and monolithic polycarbonate, profiled colors are not very saturated, due to their smaller thickness.

All colors are available for both trapezoidal and wavy profile. Even excluding translucent opal, the light transmittance of colored sheets is lower than that of colorless ones, up to 75% for some shades.

Translucent inserts in corrugated board

Both transparent and translucent profiled Borrex with trapezoidal waves are suitable for installation together with corrugated board C20 and MP20. But due to the lower wave height and the different pitch, the transverse joints at the transition points between metal and polycarbonate sheets must be additionally sealed with a special tape.

Resistant to moisture

This sheet material does not transmit or absorb moisture, which makes it indispensable for roofing work. The main difficulty in the interaction of cellular polycarbonate with water is its penetration into the panel. Removing it without dismantling the structures is almost impossible.

Long-term presence of moisture in the combs can cause its flowering and gradual destruction.

In order to exclude such a development of events, only special fasteners with sealing elements should be used in the installation process. Polycarbonate edges are covered with special tape. The easiest way to clean the honeycomb is to blow it with compressed air from a cylinder or compressor.

To protect the edge from moisture, the following is used: 1. - a special adhesive tape, 2. - a special profile that fits over the glued tape.

Installation rules for monolithic polycarbonate

There are two methods for installing solid polymer sheets:

1. Wet installation the main material is putty. The solution is applied to the entire surface of the frame, a sheet is laid on top. This leaves a gap of 2 mm to maintain the microclimate. The material is pressed tightly and excess putty is removed.
2. Dry installation is made by laying monolithic sheets on special rubber seals, which are attached to the main structure. They are often attached to profiles with sealing strips. The result is a securely pressed panel that is protected from dirt and moisture.

How to cut solid polycarbonate?

There are several tools for working with the product:

1. Cutting with a grinder should be done using a circle for metal with No. 125. The main rule is considered - movement without pressure.
2. Even novice builders will be able to cut out the necessary parts with the help of a clerical knife. The tool is used only for sheets no thicker than 8 mm.
3. Sometimes the only suitable tool is a jigsaw. With its help, monolithic figured polycarbonate is cut out from sheets of any thickness. It is used in the manufacture of garden buildings, for example, with the help of a jigsaw alone, you can make a greenhouse from monolithic polycarbonate.
4. Laser cutting has recently appeared among the tools. The advantages are high speed, smooth edges and work with any thickness.

How to choose a material?

Despite the fact that cellular polycarbonate is offered in a wide range of building supermarkets, nevertheless, choosing a high-quality model is not as easy as it seems at first glance.

Material specifications, performance and market value must be taken into account. Particular attention should be paid to the following parameters

• Thickness. The more layers in the structure of the polycarbonate material, the better it will retain heat and withstand mechanical stress. At the same time, it will bend worse.
• Sheet dimensions. The cheapest way will be to buy polycarbonate of the standard size 2.1x12 m. However, the transportation of such oversized material will cost an impressive amount. It is advisable to stop at 2.1x6 m panels.
• Colour. Colored polycarbonate is used for the construction of awnings. Exceptionally transparent is suitable for greenhouses and greenhouses. Opaque ones are used for the construction of awnings.
• The presence of a layer that inhibits ultraviolet radiation. If the panels are purchased for the construction of greenhouses, then only polycarbonate with a protective coating can be used, otherwise it will become cloudy during operation.
• The weight.The greater the mass of the material, the more durable and sturdy frame will be needed for its installation.
• Load bearing capacity. This criterion is taken into account when polycarbonate plastic is needed for the construction of a translucent roof.

Choosing by density

This modern material is produced in the form of sheets with certain dimensions and characteristics. To choose the right polycarbonate for different greenhouse models, you need to take into account a whole list of factors. In accordance with current statistics, as well as numerous reviews of experienced summer residents, the most suitable option is the cellular type

At the same time, attention is focused on the fact that such polycarbonate retains heat better.

An equally important point is the stiffness of the sheets, on which the resistance of the entire structure to various influences will directly depend. We are talking, in particular, about winds, as well as precipitation in the form of snow in winter. The correct selection of its elements will help to ensure sufficient rigidity of the entire structure. If we mean a polycarbonate sheet, then the emphasis should be on the structure of the cells (honeycomb), as well as on the density.

Analyzing the key properties of the reinforced sheet, it is worth noting that such an indicator as density is determined not only by the configuration of the honeycomb. An equally important factor is the characteristics of the partitions. To date, models are produced with cells in the form of:

• squares;
• rectangles;
• hexagons.

So, according to experienced gardeners and experts, when creating winter greenhouses, the strength of the base material deserves special attention. In situations like this, it is best to use a high quality PC that has hexagonal honeycombs. At the same time, it is worth considering that such sheets are characterized by the lowest level of light transmission. This means that if you cover the structure with a similar polycarbonate, then you will not have to count on a good harvest without additional high-quality lighting.

The golden mean will be square honeycombs. Such a PC has good light transmittance against a background of sufficient strength. Based on such a combination of operational properties, this can be called the best option for greenhouse structures intended for use in the country in the spring and summer.

As already noted, the density index of the described material is closely related to the structure of the cells. A similar dependence can be displayed as follows:

• rectangular partitions - 0.52-06 g / cu. cm;
• square cells - up to 77 g / cu. cm;
• hexagon-shaped cells - 82 g / cu. cm (the highest to date).

How to know if quality material is offered or not

When buying a product on the market, ask the seller for a small piece of the selected material. Squeeze it with one hand. If the material instantly flattened, its quality does not stand up to scrutiny. Most likely in front of you is Chinese consumer goods, which skillfully disguised themselves as some well-known nonsense

Pay attention to the price. High-quality carbonate cannot be cheap, or rather, it cannot be much cheaper than branded carbonate sold in specialized stores, which always have a certificate for the product being sold.

Too hard carbonate is also a reason to think, although sellers often flaunt this quality. After all, you can easily make a domed roof from sheets of this material, so what does the rigidity have to do with it? If the material is too hard, then recyclable materials were used in its production. This means that in addition to rigidity, such a carbonate will be very fragile.

The right carbonate is flexible and highly durable. If the service life of the selected material is up to 10 years, then you can squeeze it with your fingers with one hand only with maximum effort, and even then not the first time. If the instructions state a service life of up to 15 years, you will never squeeze such material with one hand.In addition to conventional longitudinal stiffening ribs, such honeycomb polycarbonate will be reinforced with diagonal ribs, which will significantly increase its service life.

Useful properties of light on the example of material Sotalight

• Sotalight carbonate does not transmit electric current, therefore it can be easily used where electrical insulation is required.
• Possesses good resistance to mechanical stress, withstands sharp shock loads. Sotalight polycarbonate is 6 times lighter than glass and more than 100 times stronger.
• Virtually no moisture absorption.
• It retains its properties at a large temperature difference (-45 - + 120 ° C), does not break at low temperatures, and there is no destruction of the carbonate surface in the places of bends.

• The high light transmittance (up to 80%) allows this material to be used for glass. Thanks to the refraction of the sun's rays, comfortable lighting will be created in the room.
• Excellent soundproofing qualities.
• Have high wear resistance
• Conserve heat well
• Easy to install and very flexible.
• UV coating allows Sotalight polycarbonate to retain its characteristics for a long time, regardless of weather conditions.

Based on numerous reviews, we can safely say that Sotalight cellular polycarbonate has all the properties of high-quality cellular carbonate and, at the same time, significantly saves your money!

Features of working with material

Polycarbonate can be sawed and cut with an ordinary knife, electric jigsaw. Monolithic sheets lend themselves well to laser cutting. It is also possible to bend the material without heating and effort. It is enough to give it the desired shape with the help of a vice and clamps.

When cutting solid material, it is important to lay it on a flat, flat surface. After cutting, it is better to glue the edges with aluminum tape to close the ends

Cellular varieties after cutting also need edge insulation. For them, special waterproof adhesive tapes are produced. This ensures the necessary tightness, protects against the ingress of dirt and dust into the cells. Transparent polycarbonate can be painted to further enhance its protective properties. That's just the sheets are contraindicated in contact with many chemicals.

Basic properties

According to the requirements of GOST established for polycarbonate, products from it must have certain characteristics. They are also possessed by a shower partition, a greenhouse or a translucent roof. For cellular and monolithic varieties, some parameters may differ. It is worth considering them in more detail.

• Chemical resistance. Polycarbonate is not afraid of contact with mineral oils and salts, it can withstand the effects of weakly acidic solutions. The material is destroyed under the influence of amines, ammonia, alkalis, ethyl alcohol and aldehydes. When selecting adhesives and sealants, their compatibility with polycarbonate should be taken into account.
• Non-toxic. Material and products made from it are allowed for use in the storage of certain types of food products.
• Light transmission. It is about 86% for completely transparent honeycomb sheets and 95% for monolithic ones. Tinted ones can have rates from 30%.
• Water absorption. It is minimal, from 0.1 to 0.2%.
• Impact resistance. It is 8 times higher than that of acrylic, and quartz glass is 200-250 times higher than polycarbonate in this indicator. When destroyed, no sharp or cutting fragments remain, the material is injury-free.
• Life time. Manufacturers guarantee it in the range of up to 10 years; in practice, the material can retain its properties 3-4 times longer. This weather-resistant type of plastic is easily adaptable to a wide variety of operating conditions.
• Thermal conductivity. For a honeycomb, the coefficient varies from 1.75 to 3.9, depending on the thickness of the material. In a monolithic, it is in the range 4.1-5.34. This material retains heat better than conventional quartz or plexiglass.
• Melting temperature.It is +153 degrees, the material is processed in the range from +280 to +310 degrees Celsius.
• Hardness and rigidity. The material has a high viscosity relative to shock loads of more than 20 kJ / m2, monolithic even withstands a direct bullet hit.
• Stability of shape, size. Polycarbonate retains them when temperatures change from -100 to +135 degrees Celsius.
• Fire safety. This type of plastic is one of the most harmless. The material does not flare up during combustion, but melts, turning into a fibrous mass, quickly decays, does not emit hazardous chemical compounds into the atmosphere. Its fire safety class is B1, one of the highest.

Choosing a low-quality polymer

Sometimes, when choosing a polymer, you can make mistakes when purchasing a finish for your closed garden. But you can prevent this, you just need to know everything in the manufacture of polymer material.

Cellular polycarbonate for greenhouses is considered the most successful for indoor use.

Poor quality polycarbonate

If, when buying, you come across sheets where the ECO economy brand will be indicated in the names, then you should know that this name carries information that not quite high-quality secondary polymer was used in the manufacture of plastic. This is practically crushed, its addition will negatively affect the strength of the material, its service life, and lowers almost all technical and operational parameters. The availability of recyclable materials is a problem for both Chinese and domestic manufacturers. It turns out that the cheaper the layer, the more additives it will contain.

One of the parameters that you will pay attention to when evaluating the quality of polycarbonate layers is its weight factor.

In Russia, there is no specific standard for the color and weight norms, so all the material turns out to be different. Even if you buy, for example, layers of the same thickness, they will differ greatly in strength from different manufacturers. Therefore, there is only one way out - not to purchase layers thinner than 4 mm and be guided by an approximate standard: a sheet of 6 meters should weigh about 10 kg.

When choosing plastic, sellers will definitely offer you polycarbonate sheets for a greenhouse with UV protection. You need to know that some layers are not intended for external use, the sun is enemy number one for them. Seams with protection can be processed by varnishing - smearing the layer over the surface with a special protective layer. Therefore, when choosing layers, look to have a UV protection mark on them, in this case your material will be coated with a special stabilizer, it gives enhanced transparency and affects the density of the polymer. You will not see a high-quality protective film on a cheap polymer.

Be sure to choose the material for the coating by thickness, since plastic of different thickness will be designed for different functionality.

What thickness polycarbonate is needed for a greenhouse, you better watch a video on the Internet, where, when building a greenhouse, experts will always advise the thickness of the polymer.

If you choose a polymer as a coating for a greenhouse complex, then purchase a size from 4 to 6 mm.

Such layers have increased strength, your greenhouse will not collapse under the snow.

Externally, on the surface of the formation there should be no side inclusions, turbidity. Seam transparency is the main sign of good quality.

How to choose the right thickness and density of polycarbonate for greenhouses

When choosing material for greenhouses, it is better to use the following guidelines:

1. Certificate. If you want to build a greenhouse that will serve you for a long time, ask the seller for a certificate for the goods. It is there that all important parameters will be spelled out: load from snow, wind, thickness and density of the material.
2. Appearance. Even visually, you can determine the substitution of material. If there is no factory marking on the shipping material - tape with tape, then the product is a fake.
3. Price.Of course, if you set yourself the goal of saving on the cost of polymer, then you will not buy good quality "cheaply". Polycarbonate 4mm thick with a density of 0.7 costs about 850 rubles for 6m in retail.

In order not to be deceived, be sure to check what brand of polycarbonate you buy. To choose, you can go to the website of the polymer manufacturer, look through catalogs with photos, find descriptions with technical characteristics.

Mechanical strength of cellular polycarbonate

Due to the honeycomb structure, the panels are capable of withstanding significant loads. At the same time, the surface of the sheet is subject to abrasion during prolonged contact with fine particles such as sand. Scratches may occur when rough materials of sufficient hardness are in contact.

The indicators of the mechanical strength of polycarbonate largely depend on the brand and structure of the material.

During the tests, the panels showed the following results:

Testing of cellular polycarbonate for strength indicators is carried out in accordance with the ISO 9001: 9002 standard. The manufacturer guarantees the preservation of operational characteristics for at least five years, provided that the sheets are correctly installed and special fasteners are used.

What is better monolithic polycarbonate or plexiglass?

To determine which of these materials to use, it is necessary to understand the purpose and scale of the future construction. Products differ among themselves in the following indicators:

1. Plexiglas is 200 times inferior in strength to sheet monolithic polycarbonate.
2. In order to give the plexiglass the required radius of inclination, or bending, it must be heated to high temperatures. The flexibility of polycarbonate gives a chance to bend the product without deformation and breakage.
3. Plexiglass does not turn yellow from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Polycarbonate requires special processing, otherwise its surface will take on a damaged appearance.
4. Monoliths have three times less weight than plexiglass.
5. The light transmission of plexiglass reaches 98%. Polycarbonate has this figure of 83%.
6. Monolithic polycarbonate is capable of withstanding a take-off run from -50 to + 120 ° C. Plexiglas is suitable in the mode from -40 to + 80C.
7. When ignited, organic glass is highly flammable and burning takes place for a long time. Monolithic polycarbonate cannot be set on fire, it has high fire safety criteria.
8. Plexiglass polishing is an easy process that gives a pleasant appearance. Polycarbonate is hard to polish and differs in apparent finish.
9. The price for plexiglass is lower than monolithic polycarbonate, due to a number of advantages of the latter.

Materials have different fields of application. Plexiglas is used in the manufacture of signs and advertising awnings, pool windows, contact lenses and aircraft glasses - for these products, an important criterion is light transmission and scratch resistance. Because of this, it is difficult to argue that monolithic polycarbonate is superior in quality.