Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like to purchase our Polycarbonate Roofing Products, please visit our Find a Stockist page to find a stockist near you.

Whilst we have a full range of standard stock sheet lengths, we will happily cut down sheets to suit your project requirements.

No, we will cut polycarbonate sheets to any length you require, but please note that cut-back sheet lengths will be charged to the next sheet increment i.e if you require a 2.3m length you will need to purchase 2.4m length.

A fine-toothed handsaw or circular saw with a cut-off blade is suitable for plastics. Always wear appropriate PPE when using cutting tools.

No, never walk on sheeting or apply your load directly to it.

Clean your roof with warm soapy water (mild detergent) and a soft sponge, then hose down thoroughly. Do not use a water-blaster as this will remove a layer of the UV cap and reduce the life expectancy of the product.

No, the cost quoted for a particular polycarbonate sheet brand and profile will be the same cost across our range of colours.

Using Laserlite® OneShot fasteners and Noise Stop Tape will ensure that the sheeting is properly fastened and allowed to sit on the purlins better, reducing expansion and contraction noise caused from varying ambient temperatures.

Laserlite® Noise Stop Tape is a foam product that goes between the purlins and the sheeting, which prevents any creaking.

Side laps need to be considered when calculating how much sheet you need. Calculate the number of sheets required based on the effective cover width (once fitted), as opposed to actual sheet width. For example, a standard 840mm sheet has an effective sheet cover width of 760mm.  Please see the example below and/or see our roofing calculator.

A minimum pitch of 5° is recommended. (88mm rise per lineal metre = 5° pitch). Below 5° may result in the roof leaking. Also ensure that you have the correct side laps. For Corrugated profiles, ensure a 1 ½ side lap, and for Greca and 5-Rib ensure a single side lap.

We do not recommend the use of sealants on polycarbonate for the following reasons:

– they can damage the UV cap layer
– people often try to stick the side lap together, which prevents the sheets from expanding and contracting.

The life of sealant is short compared to the life you get from polycarbonate sheets. If you use flashings and back channel tape instead, you will ensure your work is watertight.

If you must use a sealant, ensure it is a 100% neutral cure sealant suitable for polycarbonate.

In an example of a roof area 4m x 2.3m deep with a corrugated sheet profile:

Sheet length required is 2.4 (2400mm), effective cover with side laps allowed is 0.76m.

Your calculation would be worked out as follows:

4m / 0.76mm = 5.26 sheets

Rounding up to whole sheets, you will need 6 @ 2.4m to complete your roof.

Please refer to our Roofing Calculator.

Screw every second rib on the end purlins and every third rib on the intermediate purlins.

Special fixings are available for high wind loads. Please seek advice for your circumstances as you’ll need to check profile washers, which is normally a load spreading washer.