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Polycarbonate canopy: what it is, what it is for and how to build it easily – PolyPiù Shop
- 18 Jan, 2023
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The canopy is one of the most popular architectural elements for increasing the comfort of outdoor home spaces.
This practical roofing system not only contributes to a better enjoyment of outdoor spaces, but also has a protective function from weather agents such as rain, snow and hail. During the summer, it also creates practical shaded areas and thus helps to shelter from the sun, reducing the annoying "heat island" effect.
But what exactly is a canopy?
It is a construction outside the building consisting of a permanent roof covering the area below and a supporting structure. There are various types of canopy depending on the requirements: the structure may be leaning against a wall or self-supporting, either planted to the ground with foundations or simply welded to the pavement.
Since it modifies the conformation of spaces, the canopy gives life to a real outdoor environment: this is the case with the covering of a patio or a terrace fraction, or outdoor structures that have the function of protecting cars parked in courtyards or gardens.
As for the actual roofing, that is, the element that allows the canopy to fulfill its function, it can be made of different materials.
Among them, polycarbonate stands out in particular.
Why polycarbonate is perfect for making canopies
Plastic, easily workable, environmentally sustainable, strong, and very light: these are just some of the characteristics that make polycarbonate the perfect material for making a canopy roof.
This transparent and highly impact- and stress-resistant polymer is, not surprisingly, a big "favorite" for so many applications and is also commonly used for making greenhouses, conservatories, skylights, interior and partition walls, windows, canopies, and numerous other building elements for both residential and industrial environments.
Canopy roofs can be made using either honeycomb or compact polycarbonate, which is highly valued for its glass-like aesthetics. The sheets can be flat or curved, depending on the aesthetics you want to give the item.
Thus, the extreme versatility of this material allows, in short, for the creation of canopies of various types and sizes - always with the guarantee of excellent functional performance and a high level of aesthetics. In addition, given its light weight, polycarbonate will prove to be manageable and convenient to transport, cut, work and install, and will produce a finished structure with lower weight (but not lower strength!) than other materials such as wood or glass.
Advantages and applications of polycarbonate canopies
Choosing polycarbonate to make a canopy brings with it a number of advantages. These structures are in fact:
- Sturdy and resistant to weathering (snow, rain, hail, wind, sun).
- Highly resistant to wear and tear and wind push.
- Unbreakable even when the sheets are only a few millimeters thick.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Versatile in terms of application: polycarbonate is a suitable solution for making different types of canopies, from the simplest and most linear ones to those with unusual and creative shapes.
- Transparent, and therefore able to let natural light filter through.
- Less prone to yellowing than other materials such as plexiglass (this tendency is nullified if polycarbonate sheets undergo UV protection treatment).
- Easy to handle because they require very little maintenance: simply clean them with water and detergent.
On the other hand, as far as the ideal applications for polycarbonate canopies are concerned, again there is a wide range of choices: they can be used for covering a patio or terrace, for making pergolas or covered parking spaces in the garden, as well as for tunnels for the entrance or for covering a pet kennel.
Typically, polycarbonate canopies have custom-made aluminum, iron, steel or wooden supporting structures in the style most appropriate for the project you want to build.
How to build a polycarbonate canopy
Making a polycarbonate canopy is not particularly difficult, and, not surprisingly, there are plenty of our customers who choose PolyPiù sheets for this specific application as part of their do-it-yourself projects.
You will initially have to lay the profiles, i.e. the supporting structure of the canopy, paying attention that they have at least 10° slope. Remember to design the size of the structure taking into account the size of your polycarbonate sheets.
Next you will have to prepare and lay the sheets for the roof: our solutions are available to size, and all you have to do is fill in the details in the configurator at the time of purchase to receive the product at home in the correct dimensions. When installing, remember that if you have chosen UV-treated polycarbonate sheets, the treated facade will have to face outward.
After installation, remove the protective film from the sheets and center so that you manage about 5 millimeters of clearance on each side.
The final stage of canopy installation is finishing: installation of the interlocking covers on the joint profiles, full-length siliconizing of the front and side profiles, and final cleaning.
Enjoy your outdoors and remember that we are available to offer you technical support: contact us here.
