Corrugated Polycarbonate Roofing Sheet — Installation Guide & Product Overview
When installing corrugated polycarbonate roofing, four factors must be taken into consideration at once: heat movement, water infiltration, wind stress, and UV exposure. Baoding Sinhai Sunboard manufacture Co., Ltd. has specialised in polycarbonate sheet manufacture for more than 30 years. It has 3 production bases and 25+ production lines with annual output above 60, 000 tonnes. Available in sheets from 0.75mm to 3.0mm thick with standard free installation drawings with every purchase.
What Sets This Corrugated PC Sheet Apart?
We make Sinhai corrugated polycarbonate sheets from 100% virgin PC resin. SABIC or BAYER resin available on request for exacting criteria. UV co-extrusion technology is used in the fabrication of each sheet, wherein a 50–100 micron UV protection layer is bonded to one or both sides of the sheet during the manufacturing process.
This coextruded layer resists yellowing, surface brittleness and deterioration from long term sun exposure. Each sheet is printed individually with a protective layer that clearly indicates the UV-coated side – this side must always be installed facing the sun.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Thickness |
0.75 mm – 3.0 mm |
| Material |
100% virgin PC; SABIC or BAYER resin available |
| UV Coating |
Co-extruded, 50–100 micron, single or double face |
| Light Transmittance |
40%–90% (varies by color and thickness) |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient |
~0.065 mm/m°C |
| Fire Rating |
Class B1 (EN 13501); UL 94 compliant |
| Minimum Roof Pitch |
5–10 degrees |
| Certifications |
ISO 9001:2015, CE, RoHS |
| Warranty |
10–20 years (conditions apply) |
Colors and Profile Options
Colours include clear, bronze, grey, opal, lake blue, amber, dark blue, silver, orange and yellow. Special colours on request. This range addresses architectural, agricultural and industrial project needs without specific ordering.
For installing corrugated polycarbonate roofing, we provide over 70 free moulds for trapezoidal, round wave and other profiles intended to fit with conventional worldwide metal roofing systems. No matter whether your structure is steel purlin or wood rafters, in most situations there is a matching profile accessible without expensive frame adjustments.
Installation: Core Steps and Technical Requirements
Proper installation will help to maintain warranty coverage and safeguard long-term performance. The next stages address the basic technological needs.
1. Face the sun with the UV-coated side.
This side is clearly marked with a branded protection film. Installing it backward exposes the PC resin to UV light, leading to quick surface deterioration.
2. Fastener holes that are too large.
Polycarbonate expands and compresses with temperature variations. Drill fastener holes 2-3mm bigger than screw diameter so that sheet is able to move without cracking or buckling at the fastening point.
3. Maintain proper fastening spacing.
Secure screws on each purlin at 30–50 cm intervals. For a normal 1050 mm broad sheet 5-6 screws per purlin line. Do not fix in the trough of the wave. Always fix at the top of the wave to avoid pooling water around the fastener.
4. Provide for thermal expansion.
Leave a 5–10 mm space between ends of sheets and any permanent frame or flashing. End laps should be minimum 150–200 mm depending on roof pitch. Side laps should be a minimum of one complete corrugation.
5. Choose suitable accessories.
Self drilling screws, EPDM washers, ridge profiles and U-profiles may be supplied in one shipment. Tighten EPDM washers to seal penetrations without surface distortion of the sheet.
6. Minimum Roof Pitch.
Adequate water discharge at overlaps requires at least 5-10 degrees of pitch to avoid moisture build-up.
Application Areas
The following project categories often include installing corrugated polycarbonate roofing:
- Industrial daylighting: PC panels in metal roofs on warehouses reduces the need for artificial illumination. It is useful for wide span constructions with a light transmittance up to 90%.
- Commercial greenhouses: Corrugated sheets with anti-drip coating provide diffused light over growth regions and prevent damage from condensation. Purlin spacing should be designed to meet local snow load requirements.
- Residential carports and pergolas Marine-grade fasteners and EPDM washers offer corrosion resistance in a coastal climate while yet allowing for visual clarity.
- Corridors & canopies The weight of the sheets is quite low compared to glass, which decreases the structural stress on supporting frames. This makes PC a suitable alternative for lightweight canopy designs.
Customization and Supply
Sinhai provides OEM and ODM services, including CNC cutting, film coating customisation, bending, special-shaped cutting, vacuum shaping and thermoforming. Mixed project needs contractors are acceptable for lower volume cutting orders.
Approx. 7 days for completion of standard orders. Kashgar manufacturing base also supplies Central Asia with comparable lead times. Local warehousing resources in Tashkent and Dushanbe provide speedier regional delivery.
We can also ship by sea, truck and air. The logistics staff can help with cross border customs clearance.
FAQ
Q1: Will the profile fit my existing metal roof?
A: Over 70 profile molds are available, covering trapezoidal and round wave options matched to standard global metal roofing systems. A compatible profile is available in most cases without custom fabrication.
Q2: How do I manage thermal expansion during installation?
A: Pre-drill all fastener holes 2–3 mm larger than the screw diameter. The thermal expansion coefficient of approximately 0.065 mm/m°C means that oversized holes allow controlled sheet movement without stress at the fixings.
Q3: How many screws does a standard sheet require?
A: For a 1050 mm-wide sheet, use 5–6 screws per purlin line, fixed at the crest of each wave to avoid trapping water at the fastener point.
Q4: Can the sheets be used on curved roofs?
A: Yes. Corrugated PC sheets can be longitudinally curved. The minimum bending radius for standard wave profiles is typically around 4 meters.
Q5: Is it safe to walk on the panels during installation?
A: Do not walk directly on corrugated PC panels. Use crawling boards or ladders positioned across the supporting purlins to distribute weight safely.
Q6: How should the roof surface be cleaned?
A: Use mild soap and a soft microfiber cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, rough sponges, or hard-edged tools, as these scratch the UV-protective layer and shorten its effective service life.
Contact Us
Have a project requiring corrugated installing corrugated polycarbonate roofing? Contact us at [email protected].