Step By Step Guide For Cutting Polycarbonate Roof Panels
If you are looking to cut polycarbonate roofing sheets, you can do it easily as it is a very simple task, in comparison to cutting other materials including glass and acrylic, which may need professional assistance. You can easily cut polycarbonate yourself, you just need to have the right tools such as scissors/circular saw/jigsaw, glue clamps, masking & measuring tape, as well as markers. On the majority of the roofing applications, at the minimum, one of the polycarbonate roof panels would need to be cut in order to meet your requirements. While cutting polycarbonate roof panels, it is extremely important to use the correct safety wear, including protective eyewear, masks, and gloves.
- Secure The Polycarbonate Panel: First of all, you need to properly secure the polycarbonate panel that you going to cut in order to make sure that it does not vibrate as well as move when you are cutting it.
- Take The Measurement: The size that is needed should be marked on the cover film with the help of a clearly visible marker. It is important to take the measurement accurately, due to the reason that, as soon as the material has been cut it cannot be joined together again. Make sure to take the measurement twice before you start cutting the polycarbonate panel.
- Draw A Marked Line: You need to draw a marked line on the polycarbonate panel with the help of a straight rule, but, if you are cutting the length of the sheet, it is very difficult to find a rule of this length. The aluminum of the glazing bars is usually a good alternative in order to ensure a nice straight line is drawn.
- Do Not Remove Cover Film: Do not remove the cover film on the polycarbonate panel when you are cutting the sheet. It is important to keep in mind that polycarbonate roof panels are generally only coated on one side with UV protection. This, as a result, means that there is a correct as well as incorrect way up to install the panel, and when you are cutting panels this should be considered. The cover films will usually tell you which side is the protected UV side (external face), and this is the side that has the cover film with writing on.
- Swarf Entered The Sheet Due To Power Tools: As soon as you have cut the polycarbonate roof panel to your desired size, it is possible that there is some swarf that has entered the sheet, and this in all likelihood will happen with power tools instead of with the hand saw. This swarf will usually hold on tightly to the sheet because of the static charge and can be difficult to remove. These should be eliminated with the help of an air compressor in order to blow them out of the polycarbonate panel. Some of the other methods include using a good strong vacuum, or even washing them across the sheet with water. Usually, the swarf is just a small issue as it will typically only enter the sheet a few centimeters, and the sheets should protrude over into the gutter by 5cm, which as a result means that this will then not be visible.
- Apply Ventilation Tape To The Gutter End Of The Sheet: After you are done cutting the sheet, apply ventilation (breather) tape to the gutter end of the sheet as well as the aluminum tape to the top end of the polycarbonate panel, before you apply the PVC sheet closures.