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Poly Roof Cover For Pergola

How Thick Should Polycarbonate Sheets Be For A Pergola

Pergola Cover – Polycarbonate Roof System – Alternative to Glass Roof

It is important to consider the thickness of the polycarbonate sheet that will be used for your pergola roof. The thickness will play a significant role in the roofs functionality.

You dont want a sheet thats too thin, as it may be too lightweight and small to provide the right overhead protection. However, sheets of larger thicknesses, like 25 mm, may be too big and heavy. Therefore, you want to find some form of middle ground. Generally, 10mm is sufficient for most backyard environments, as it offers the ideal amount of durability and size.

However, make sure to consider snow loading, high winds, overhead limbs, and rain, as the recommended thickness will vary from one area to the next. For instance, if you live in a particularly rainy or windy area, you may want to opt for 16mm polycarbonate panels for increased strength.

We recommend talking to the manufacturer or other roofing specialist about your pergola needs to identify the right thickness and installation needs.


How To Install A Polycarbonate Roof On Your Pergola

Installing a roof on your pergola can transform a fair-weather space into an all-weather space for very little money and effort. This is a nice addition if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain and/or direct sunlight, and it’s a project that can be accomplished in a weekend. If you want a DIY pergola with a roof, read on!

This installation tutorial considers use of polycarbonate roof panels, though it can be adapted for other roofing materials. If your pergola already has a slope to it , then you can skip ahead to Installing the H-Channel. Otherwise, if you have a flat-roofed pergola, you can add furring strips to create a slope. However, the slope created in this manner likely wont get you to a 5-degree slope, which may possibly void the roofs warranty .

Jump to:

Add Furring Strips to Create Roof Slope

As noted above, you can add a minor slope to a flat-roofed pergola by cutting graduated furring strips and nailing them to the top of your pergolas purlins. The slope should be a minimum of 1/8 per foot , though 1/4 per foot is better if you can manage it. Our premade pergola plans typically have purlins spaced at either 6 or 12, so determining the furring strip thicknesses is relatively simple.

When cutting simply keep the fence tight to the piece of wood you’re cutting, and let the saw do the rest!


Installing the H-Channel

Set the cap aside for the time being, as it cant be applied until the panels are in place.

Add the Polycarbonate Panels

Wrapping The Discussion Up

Polycarbonate is a wonderful material. It is transparent like glass but way better in terms of strength value. It is long-lasting, low-maintenance, and damage resistant. These properties make it a better material than other materials like wood and glass. Polycarbonate checks all the requirement boxes of good roofing material. So you can definitely use it as a covering material for your pergola extension.

And if youre looking for a place to buy quality polycarbonate sheets, Glass Genius is your one-stop-shop. Glass Genius brings top-notch glass fabricators and distributors on one platform. This strategy has opted to ensure clients convenience. Get in touch with your preferred supplier. Order the best quality polycarbonate sheets for roofing and cherish your outdoor space.

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Climbing Plants & Vines

If you are a stickler for natural accessories and elements for your pergola, consider using climbing plants and vines to create a living roof. Keep in mind, there may be some open areas of your roof where rain and snow might seep through.However, during the warmer spring and summer seasons, a beautiful roof created from flowering climbing plants and vines is picturesque and calming. Choose from plants like wisteria, clematis, climbing roses, honeysuckle, trumpet vines, or even grapevines.


Types Of Pergola Roofs

Polygal Roof Panels for Pergolas

Create the pergola of your dreams with a range of versatile pergola roof ideas. Choose a retractable roof pergola or a louvered roof pergola to promote air circulation while still offering protection from the elements. A desirable roof should increase privacy and comfort, cooling shade, and style points.

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Cover Your Pergola With Polycarbonate Panels

Dont have a pergola? We can build one for you! Then install Twin wall Polycarbonate sheets that are a structured plastic sheet product available in double layered or solid configurations, manufactured in various colors and degrees of transparency, and VERY AFFORDABLE.

Polycarbonate sheets allow sunlight in but provide protection from unwanted elements such as rain, UV rays, sunlight, and heat. What this means for you is that you can now comfortably enjoy your patio come rain or shine with a Polycarbonate roof cover! Polycarbonate roof panels for pergolas are durable and yet flexible, so they can be utilized even in curved applications. You dont have to break the bank to enjoy your semiclear Polycarbonate plastic patio cover.

Polycarbonate roof panels arent just for residential use. Polycarbonate is a great plastic roof panel option for covering restaurant patios, bus stops, walkways, employee break areas, balconys, and much more. The structured sheets are available in a variety of thicknesses to match any architectural needs.


Our Polycarbonate sheets are available in standard 2 foot width, but with options of 4 or 8 and in standard lengths of 8, 12, 16, or 24. Custom lengths are available as it is important to have a seamless sheet in the direction of the slope so the cover does not leak.

What Is A Polycarbonate Pergola Roof 10 Pros And Cons

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Wouldnt it be nice to be able to use your pergola year-round? As you know , pergolas have a slatted roof that wont provide complete protection from rain or sun.

Luckily, if you want to increase the usability of your pergola, or if you want to build a pergola that offers more shade and privacy than traditional structures, you have an option: polycarbonate pergola roof panels. Offering UV protection and protection against the elements without sacrificing the appearance of the structure, a polycarbonate roof is a popular trend among pergola owners.

To help you decide if this is something you may be interested in, we will dive deeper into what polycarbonate pergola roof panels are and their pros and cons below. By the end, you will hopefully be able to make a decision about whether a polycarbonate pergola roof is a perfect fit for your backyard!


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For a typical 12×12 pergola, you will generally find that you need about 3 sheets.

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Fiberglass And Plastic Pergola Tops

Fiberglass and plastic pergola roofs are durable materials that are fairly inexpensive to purchase and more permanent in comparison to other types. Both materials are designed to allow complete light exposure but do a great job keeping rain and harmful UV rays from passing through. Plastic usually comes in lightweight panels of different sizes that can easily be cut down to size if needed. Fiberglass may be a little bit harder to find but it is also a very green alternative. Most fiberglass materials are made by using recycled materials which helps reduce the amount of waste on our planet.

Is The Polycarbonate Roofing Expensive

How To Install A SkyPoly Patio Cover (Easy Tutorial) | Cover Your Pergola Installation

Its not the cheapest project, but its worth it!!

Hopefully I answered all your questions on installing and the upkeep of the polycarbonate roofing panels! If you have any more questions just let me know.


I love that we can keep all this furniture and cushions out year round, and its given us an additional place to escape to.

You can see here how much light it gets in, and how even after two years of not cleaning it it is still crystal clear! We love it and hopefully if you decide to do it you will too!

If you are wondering how we did the rest of this space including our lifted pergola check out the posts below!

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Fabric Deck Pergola Covers

Fabric deck pergola covers are another more complete way to cover your structure. There are many different types of outdoor fabric covers to choose from. Some offer UV protection which will help extend the life of your outdoor furniture and cut down on the heat and light that penetrates through your pergola roof. Many fabrics are colorful or have an interesting design to add even more style to your outdoor structure. Fabric shades and sails are similar and can easily be installed to any structure. Sails are going to be more durable because they are made of materials that are resistant to sun exposure, moisture, and the elements.


What Are The Benefits Of A Pergola Roof

If you want a comfortable pergola that accommodates year-round use, install a waterproof pergola roof. With a waterproof roof, you can relax and enjoy the sound of falling rain or snow while engaged in an exercise session, work in your outdoor office, or dine alfresco.Choose a waterproof roof that is static, retractable, or lightweight for a chic outdoor structure that keeps you warmer and drier. If needed, integrate a gutter system with a pergola roof, in addition to using a pitched roof design to control the runoff of any precipitation.

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Pergola With Polycarbonate Roof

Pergola with polycarbonate roof panels is the best pick for the patio or any other outdoor space. Polycarbonate is a very strong and shatterproof clear thermoplastic material. It offers glass-like brilliance. Clear roof panels for pergola offer high-end aesthetics and practical values. These panels are light, impact-resistant, and offer UV protection. Pergola roof panels have been using to expand an outdoor space, storage area, or shelter.

The clear roof panels for pergolas come in a variety of light transmission and color options. Moreover, you also get to choose the impact resistance and temperature range.

Conpanels May Detract From The Look Of The Pergola

Polygal Roof Panels for Pergolas

Even though many people find polycarbonate panels a great option, it wont be right for everyone because some might not like the panels look on top of the pergola. Some may find that the panels detract from the classic look of a pergola. Make sure you check out examples before you purchase to make sure you will like the look of a polycarbonate pergola roof before you make a purchase.

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Fiberglas And Plastic Roofing

This is the easiest roofing material to install and the most popular among homeowners. These roofing materials are typically lightweight and are cost-effective they are also very easy to cut and fit. They allow more light to come in while still protecting you from harmful UV rays.

Fiberglass and Plastic can be put on a pergola in just a few hours by using basic hand tools, a circular saw, and a nail gun.

Fiberglass can be a bit difficult to find than plastic but they are a very eco-friendly option. Most fiberglass is made from recycled materials and helps lessen the waste and pollution on our planet.

About Our Polycarbonate Sheets

MAIN PROPERTIES OF MONOLITHIC SHEETS

Monolithic sheets is a material with an excellent combination of physical and mechanical properties, which are retained under various temperature conditions and humidity levels.

Polycarbonate sheets are an ideal replacement for traditional glazing materials. They are safe and easy to cut, install and use, almost impossible to break. Due to their low specific weight, polycarbonate sheets can significantly lighten and reduce the cost of the supporting structure in comparison with the structure in which glass is used, contributing to a significant reduction in transportation, handling and installation costs.

UV protection

Solar radiation has a detrimental effect on polymeric materials, causing their destruction and causing surface cracking of materials. These small cracks are further enlarged by water, dust and chemicals.

Polycarbonate monolithic sheets of this have a surface with an applied protective layer against ultraviolet radiation, which provides excellent resistance to weathering.

Arched glazing

All monolithic polycarbonate sheets are cold-formed into curved supporting glazing profiles. Provided that the bending radius of the sheet is greater than the minimum recommended value, the mechanical stress resulting from cold forming will not affect the mechanical properties of the sheet.The guaranteed service life of the sheets is 15 years.

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Tongue And Groove Roof Decking

Tongue and groove roof decking is for the client that doesnt want to deviate from the natural appearance of the wood pergola. This option consists of solid wood or plywood where one side of a plank has a matching slit . A huge advantage of T& G is strength and durability. It also provides a rustic, stylish look to your pergola especially if it matches the wood of your structure. However, like aluminum louvers, this option can be a costly endeavor. The installation lends to be laborious and cumbersome, increasing costs.

All in all, pergola covers are the unsung heroes of the backyard paradise lifestyle. Enjoying all those awesome amenities isnt as great if you are under scorching temperatures or even worse, getting rained out and having your backyard bash cut short. The outdoor living market in South Florida is trending in all the right directions and with the influx of newcomers flocking here. We can only hope covering their pergola will be integral to creating those lasting memories in their new homes.

Discover Cover Your Pergola to create the outdoor paradise of your dreams. Check out their website to learn about all the different pergola covers they offer. You can also check them out at the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show, October 1-3 at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo Center.

Benefits Of Covering Your Pergola With A Multiwall Or Solid Polycarbonate Product

Polycarbonate Roof Installation

An alternative to a retractable awning is a pergola covered with polycarbonate. The benefits of a covered pergola are many. Certainly, a covered pergola taps into the huge trend for an outdoor living room. Furnishings can take on more permanency that then leads into the space being used year round particularly with the addition of heating and a cosy knee rug for winter. Of course, in summer especially, you can enjoy the space as a place to spend time outdoors with family and friends. Too hot to sit out you think? Not if you cover the pergola with a polycarbonate product with thermal properties.

There are many polycarbonate options for covering a pergola with thermally efficient products. Today, itâs all about twin wall or multi wall rather than straight polycarbonate profiles. The reason for this is that twinwall or multiwall products trap air between the layers of sheeting, hence the improved thermal insulation performance.

Until a year or two ago, Makrolon Twinwall was the leading polycarbonate multiwall product. Now that it is no longer being manufactured, installers are increasingly installing alternative polycarbonate options. Roofrite’s preferred mid-price point multiwall option is Palramâs Sunpal Multi.

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Highly Durable Metal Pergola Roof

Metal pergola roof materials are considered to be the most durable thus they are also more permanent than many of the other types roofing materials. The best thing about metal roofing material is that it can be cut down or sized to fit any size or shape structure. There are two basic types of tin roofing material to choose from. R-panel has ridges that are high and require 5/16 lap screws for install. V-crimp is much simpler to install because it does not need lap screws. Copper and aluminum sheets are similar to install and will make a beautiful impact on your existing pergola. Steel is of course more expensive, but it is also very durable and sturdy. A tin or aluminum pergola cover is alse quite a beautiful site and very soothing at times. There is something wonderful about the sound of rain falling on a metal rooftop. There is also nothing more enjoyable than sitting in your back yard pergola regardless of the weather condition.

What Supplies Are Needed:

*First you must have your pergola built, and figure out the size of covered area you are doing then buy accordingly.

* POLYCARBONATE CLEAR ROOFING PANELS* WOOD SOLID ROOF PANEL CLOSURE STRIP* TUFTEX WHITE GALVANIZED SELF-DRILLING ROOFING SCREWS* SAW* PAINT AND SUPPLIES IF YOU NEED TO PAINT.

Since our pergola was white, we painted all the closure strips to match.

Now it is time to install. Looking back, we wish we did more closure strips to help with the corrugated panels longevity.

Installing the panels it was so hard to decide how long to do them in the front. You can see here the three different lengths.

We went with the first one, honestly for looks. It probably wasnt the best option for all the rain we have and if we did the longer it would be less rain on the deck front. I do have to say I still dont regret it.

Now the install, make sure to predrill each hole before using the screws. Make sure to get it right the first time so you dont have any unwanted holes. You DO need to overlap so take that into account.

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Polycarbonate Roof On Customer Provided Framework

Often we have found that customers come to us with glazing requirements, but they have an existing framework that doesnt require the strength of our big Skyview structural beams. Thats why we offer Skyview Low Profile.

  • Works with 16mm sheets.
  • Very flexible, easy to install.
  • Mounts on existing aluminum, steel, or wood framework.

With the Skyview Low Profile system, it doesnt matter if your rafters are 16 or 24 apart. And it doesnt matter if there are slight inconsistencies in rafter spacing, all you need to do is trim the sheets to suit your openings. Alternatively, you can run horizontal strapping and space the Skyview Low Profile glazing bars equally.

Our extruded aluminum base and pressure cap with gaskets are your best choice for a long-lasting, waterproof roof system. Much more durable and leak-proof than systems that use polycarbonate joiners.


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