How to make a canopy out of polycarbonate do it yourself -

Polycarbonate sheds have recently become very popular, they are used as a visor over the porch, the place of the car, as a gazebo or a shelter for the pool. The inexpensive price of the material, high impact resistance and stability of this material allows you to create from it reliable, durable translucent structures that look modern and attractive. Another significant plus of polycarbonate plastic is that the installation and assembly is performed independently even by an inexperienced master in a matter of hours. In this article we will explain how to make a canopy from polycarbonate with your own hands.

Pluses of construction

Polycarbonate is a modern construction material with which installation of light multifunctional canopies is performed. The manufacture of this polymer coating occurs by extrusion under the influence of high pressure. They produce two types of polycarbonate: monolithic and cellular. Products of the monolithic type resemble silicate glass; it is transparent, impact resistant and smooth. Cellular polycarbonate has a cellular structure consisting of cavities in the form of a triangle, rectangle or pentagon, filled with air. The design of sheds of these materials has the following advantages:

1. A light weight. The main advantages of polycarbonate constructions are small mass. The weight of 1 square meter of honeycomb plastic is 0.8-2.7 kg in accordance with the coating thickness, and this is 6 times less than the weight of silicate glass, which saves on the overhang structure.
2. Translucency. The transparency of cellular polycarbonate plastic is 80-88%, and monolithic - up to 92%, making the design looks light and filled with light.
3. The high bearing ability and durability. If the frame is installed correctly, the polycarbonate coating withstands intense snow and wind loads without deformation.
4. Easy installation. Production of a canopy made of polycarbonate does not cause difficulties, if there are drawings and a design project, one master can do this task within a few hours, regardless of the level of preparation.
5. Long service life. Polycarbonate has a long service life, with proper maintenance reaching 20-25 years.

Important! The thickness of the polycarbonate canopy is selected in accordance with the design and type of material. If you use a monolithic polycarbonate plastic, you can choose sheets with a thickness of 2 mm, and if honeycomb - from 6 mm.

Types of designs

Technical characteristics, flexibility and compliance of polycarbonate plastic allows you to create from it designs of any geometric shape without the use of heat treatment. When deciding which polycarbonate is best for a canopy, be aware that each type of material has its own bend radius, which must be considered during installation. The most popular canopy designs are:

• Straight. The direct canopy from polycarbonate plastic is used as a peak over an entrance to the building, a balcony, a porch. The peculiarity of this design is that it is subjected to severe snow loads, so it is better for it to choose a solid polycarbonate.

  

• Leaning. Shed visor differs from the direct in that it is located at an angle. This design contributes to slipping from the slope of snow and water, which reduces the load on the roofing. A lean-to canopy can be made of cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 6 mm.

  

• Dvukhskatny. Dvukhskatny canopy from polycarbonate plastic is a structure formed by two planes located at an angle to each other. It is made from cellular or solid material.

  

• Arched. The arch visor is a popular construction solution, which is realized due to the high flexibility of the sheets of material. Skilled craftsmen advise to choose durable polycarbonate with a thickness of 8 mm for this type of shed

  

• Dome. So called a more complex structure of a canopy in the form of a dome. It is quite difficult for an amateur to install such a structure, even with detailed drawings and a project, this work requires skill and careful fitting.

  

When choosing a material for making a canopy with your own hands, pay attention to the features of the chosen design. Professional masters recommend using cellular polycarbonate with a sheet thickness of 6 mm. For the arched design is better to choose a thicker material. Monolithic plastic is used only for direct cantilever canopies.

Types of frame

The frame for any canopy made of polycarbonate plastic is a frame that distributes the load evenly between the supporting posts. The construction of the structure begins with this element. There are the following types of frame:

1. Wooden. A framework from a natural tree - the budgetary option for a canopy. He, however, has a short lifespan, which increases the regular processing of antiseptic compounds. This option is chosen, since the installation of this design is performed using a basic set of tools with your own hands.
2. Metal. The metal frame of a cylindrical or round steel profile is excellent for polycarbonate sheds. Installation is carried out on bolts or with the help of a welding machine, so only an experienced master can handle it on his own.
3. Forged. Forged frame - the most expensive version of the canopy. This option for self-assembly is suitable only if you buy a ready-made base, and cover it with plastic yourself.

Note! Before you make a canopy of polycarbonate with your own hands, you need to decide on the design and material of the frame. Arched and domed visors are made only on a metal or forged frame. Straight, single-slope and dual-slope models can be made on any basis.

Assembly process

After the design and type of canopy frame is selected, installation of the structure can begin. To do this, a convenient place is chosen at the site, the building site is cleared and leveled by pouring concrete or gravel in accordance with the functions of the visor. Installation of a canopy perform as follows:

• First, the plot is marked, with the help of a tape measure mark the location of the supports with pegs, between them pull the cord.
• Then install the vertical support frame. They should be placed in increments of not more than 0.7 m. Supports are placed at the corners of the canopy and in the middle of the sides. With the help of a drill, holes are made to the depth of 0.6-0.8 m at the planned locations. It is poured with concrete into which the supports are vertically installed.
• To keep the supports upright, they are temporarily hardened with struts until the concrete is completely dry. This process takes 1-3 days.
• Vertical supports are connected by top strapping using a welding machine, bolts or special fasteners.
• Between strapping perform installation of horizontal rails of the frame. If the polycarbonate canopy has a thickness of less than 8 mm, the pitch between the horizontal slats is 0.7 m. If the sheet thickness is 8 mm or more, this distance can be increased to 1 m.
• Next, the polycarbonate plastic is cut into sheets of the desired size and secured to the frame with special screws with thermal washers. At the end sections of the material put on the plugs.

Professional craftsmen recommend treating a wooden frame with antiseptic compounds and metal varnish, paint or alkyd enamel before polycarbonate flooring. This simple measure increases the lifespan of a facility by several years.

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