Polycarbonate roofing panels have been around in the construction industry for decades, but have only recently started gaining popularity for various design and building applications such as greenhouse structures. The reason for its slow ascent into mainstream uses for gazebo roofing is because most people like to stick to old faithful: glass. What they don’t realize is that there are a lot of great benefits to using greenhouse polycarbonate sheets instead. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation going around about the efficacy of greenhouse polycarbonate sheets and how they work. To help clear the air, here are some of the biggest myths and misconceptions that you should know about so you can make a more informed decision.

Myth #1: Polycarbonate Roofing Breaks Under Pressure

On the contrary, polycarbonate roofing panels are built to withstand extreme weather and environmental conditions such as heavy winds and storms. It’s often associated with glass because both materials are transparent and have a similar appearance. But the reality is the polycarbonate roofing panels are about 200 times stronger and more resilient than glass and can be exposed to all kinds of natural elements for long periods of time without sustaining any damages.

Myth #2: Polycarbonate Can’t Be Cut or Reshaped

Polycarbonate is actually one of the most flexible building materials on the market today. It can be cut and reshaped according to the dimensions and aesthetic and architectural demands of any construction project without so much as a tiny crack.

Myth #3: Polycarbonate Turns Yellow Over Time

Discolouration due to prolonged exposure to natural elements is a common concern when it comes to using transparent building materials for various construction projects. But polycarbonate roofing panels aren’t your ordinary building materials. Polycarbonate sheets contain properties that protect them against harmful UV rays of the sun and prevent discolouration and yellowing. This helps them retain a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance for a long time.

Myth #4: Polycarbonate Is Infinitely Flexible

While it’s true that polycarbonate is a lot more durable and flexible than glass, it still has its limits just like any other building material. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic material, which means it needs to be heated to a certain temperature before it can safely be bent. Several methods can be used in this process including a hair dryer, a professional bending device, a heating element or convection oven, to name a few. Cold-bending it could cause it to crack.

Myth #5: Polycarbonate Sheets Have a Short Lifespan

As long as proper installation and maintenance instructions are carefully followed, polycarbonate gazebo roof panels can last upwards of 10 years. The benefit is that polycarbonate is a lot more lightweight and easier to install and maintain than glass, making it the ideal alternative material.

Myth #6: Polycarbonate Doesn’t Transmit Enough Natural Light

Actually, excellent light transmission and distribution is one of the biggest and best assets that makes polycarbonate the perfect roofing material for gazebos, greenhouses, skylights, skyscrapers, and any other structure that requires an abundance of natural lighting. Polycarbonate also has innate properties that filter out harmful UV rays to protect the interior of your property.

Polycarbonate Sheet Suppliers in Toronto and the GTA

When you need a steady supply of high-quality polycarbonate roofing panels for your gazebo, greenhouse, or similar structure, turn to the experts at Canada Plastics & Belting Inc. We provide a wide range of polycarbonate products from corrugated to solid available in an array of sizes and transparency options. Custom cutting services are also available. Contact us today to learn more.

Polycarbonate gazebo roof panels are an excellent alternative to glass. They’re extremely durable, lightweight, scratch-resistant, and easy to install and maintain. Routine maintenance is a key factor to extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of your polycarbonate gazebo roof panels. Like glass, gazebo plastic sheets need to be cleaned carefully and on a regular basis to maximize their efficacy and maintain a certain appearance. Extensive dirt and mildew buildup on the interior and exterior of your gazebo roofing hinders adequate light distribution throughout the structure and this can have a detrimental impact on the well-being of your plants.

Follow these tips for properly cleaning and maintaining your gazebo roof panels to maximize their functionality and lifespan.

Carefully Remove All Large Pieces of Debris

Throughout the year, you’ll notice that your polycarbonate gazebo roof panels collect a great deal of organic matter and debris such as sticks, leaves, sand, and dirt. This is the result of the wind blowing loose debris such as fallen leaves directly onto your gazebo roofing where they can get stuck in the gutters. Fall and winter are the most common times of the year for this to happen.

Gently remove the attached organic matter using either a leaf blower or a broom with a long handle. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. Although polycarbonate gazebo roof panels are scratch-resistant, they can still sustain some damages from unnecessary rough usage and conditions.

Check Your Guttering

Once you’ve removed all of the clearly visible pieces of debris from the gazebo panels, it’s time to check the gutters. Gazebos typically have gutters to drain excess water deposits from the roof. Just like any other structure, gazebo gutters can also attract a lot of debris, typically organic matter like leaves and dirt that block water from draining. Excess water deposits freeze in the winter and the weight from the ice can damage the guttering system, causing it to crack and even break down. Removing debris from your gazebo guttering at least once or twice a year can prevent these damages.

Use Mild Liquid Soap and Lukewarm Water

Avoid using abrasive chemicals to clean your polycarbonate gazebo panels at all costs as these can strip the protective coating. Opt for a mixture of mild liquid detergent like dishwashing soap and lukewarm water instead. Rinse the panels with the mixture. Then, use the soft side of a sponge or anti-bacterial microfiber cloth to gently clean the dirt off of the panels. Use a dry soft cloth to dry the panels after wiping them down and removing the dirt and dust.

No matter how stubborn or stuck on the dirt is, avoid using the rough side of the sponge or a steel wool scrubber to remove it. Polycarbonate sheets are incredibly durable, but scrubbing them with a rough sponge will damage the protective coating and leave the panels vulnerable to further damages.

Change Your Water and Replace Your Sponge Regularly

As you clean your polycarbonate gazebo panels, you may notice that the colour of the water will start to change from clear and soapy to brown or black. It may even develop a pungent odour the more you use the same water. That’s when you know that it’s time to change out the water and used a new sponge. Otherwise, you’re just using dirty water to try to clean your gazebo roofing and this defeats the purpose. It’ll only serve to spread the dirt around more and make it harder to clean the panels.

Always have a steady supply of cleaning provisions such as extra sponges, buckets, soft cloths, and detergent available when cleaning your polycarbonate gazebo roofing panels. Accounting for the size and layout of the structure ahead of time will help you prepare for the cleaning job ahead. You should also consider whether or not both the interior and exterior require cleaning. Keep in mind that the exterior will most likely require more frequent cleaning and maintenance than the interior because it’s exposed to more potentially harmful elements, dirt, and organic materials.

Check Your Guttering System Multiple Times

Throughout the cleaning process, you’ll want to check your guttering system for rogue pieces of organic matter that you may have missed during the previous inspections or that may have made their way in since the last time you cleaned out the gutters. It’s important to be as thorough as possible when cleaning out your structure’s guttering system to prevent future water backlog and freezing during the winter months.

Use Proper Cleaning Materials and Techniques for the Job

Whether you choose to do the job manually by hand or with the aid of a precision power washer, there are a number of cleaning materials you can use to guarantee a completely spotless gazebo. If you’re cleaning your polycarbonate gazebo panels by hand, then you should use a soft anti-bacterial cloth or the soft side of a sponge along with a mild detergent and lukewarm water solution. Depending on your height and the size of your gazebo, you may also need a long ladder to help you reach those high up and hard-to-reach crevices.

Once you’ve hand-scrubbed the entire gazebo from top to bottom with a soft sponge or cloth and cleaning solution, you can use a hose or power washer on the gentlest setting to rinse off the suds. Afterward, make sure to use a dry cloth to carefully dry the gazebo roofing panels. Move in a light and gentle circular motion to avoid leaving behind any streaks or marks.

Check the gutters one last time to absolutely guarantee that you’ve removed every last piece of debris and organic matter.

Need more advice on cleaning and maintaining your gazebo plastic sheets? The polycarbonate experts at Canada Plastics & Belting Inc. are always happy to help by offering proven tips. As one of Canada’s premier distributors of commercial and industrial plastic materials, we’re fairly confident that we can steer you in the right direction. Contact us today to learn more about how to properly care for your polycarbonate gazebo roof panels or to learn about our products.