Fitting polycarbonate panels.

Hi All,

When cutting polycarbonate panels to fit into a wooden framed green house should they be a snug fit or should I cut them slightly smaller for expansion? Not sure which would expand more polycarbonate or wood.

Rusty

 

Polycarbonate expands quite a bit as it warms up, add to that the wood swelling when wet and I say you need to allow a good 4 mm all round for movement, on say a 2 ft wide section.
If using silicone make sure you use low modulus neutral cure, its often a bit more expensive, but its worth it.

 

Thanks pete.

Rusty

 

Thats the one that doesn't smell like vinegar . Its only a little more expensive . Buy it from a good builders merchant or Screwfix . The B and Q / Homebase prices are unbelievable.

 

I had to figure out expansion when I replaced a big pane of glass in my GH with twin-wall polycarb. Expansion is given as 3mm per linear metre.

 

Or pop down to me,I carry it in my van....Free to G-C mates.