[Shop-talk] Building/adding a deck cover?

[Nolan]

Oh crud, I was thinking of the wrong stuff.  I was thinking he was planning 
to use the Ondura asphalt panels.  Polycarbonate was what I was thinking he 
should use instead.   Totally off base by me.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat" <Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com>
To: "Nolan" <opposumking at verizon.net>
Cc: "Shop Talk List" <shop-talk at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Building/adding a deck cover?


> Nolan,
>
> Where are you located? I've been using polycarbonate panels in central 
> Texas, with summer temperatures running well over 100 deg for years 
> without any problems. Polycarbonate is the stuff they make bullet-proof 
> windows out of, if I remember correctly. Are you possibly thinking of the 
> fiberglass panels? The brand I used was SunTuf. Yes, they all need full 
> support, but so does corrugated steel roofing, just not quite as much.
>
> Peace,
> Pat
>
>
> Thusly spake Nolan:
>> You might want to rethink that tuftex.  I've seen it in use several 
>> times, and the results haven't been nice.  It softens and warps very 
>> easily in hot sunlight.  It has very little strength, so it tears easily. 
>> That's really not nice in windy areas.  They need a great deal of support 
>> or else it sags and warps tremendously.
>>
>> I would suggest you look at the other plastic panels sitting there in the 
>> shelf beside them.  I've used the clear panels for chicken coops and had 
>> them survive 60+ mph winds without incident.  They don't warp, but aren't 
>> particularly strong either, so they need support to prevent sagging.