BackYardChickens Forum

I haven't used the grey tinted, but I have white translucent Suntuf (I think the mfr's name is something irrelevant like 'opal', but it's just translucent white). It is installed as a run roof, not on an enclosed building, and slopes to the east which would minimize solar heat gain; however, that said, there is no indication of heat building up under it even in midsummer, whereas from past experience with other structures I would say there *would* be if it were clear. So it really does seem to be a substantial improvement on clear from the standpoint of avoiding heat gain.

Good lcuk, have fun,

Pat

Just a thought, but I used clear & smoked panels on my first two coops, and then got cheap and started using the metal corrugated roofing.. looks the same as the TufTex but it's metal... anyway it's SO MUCH BETTER I wish I could replace the other roofs.  It's SO MUCH COOLER in the direct sun, and gives them lots of shade..  I haven't been through a winter yet, but when the plastic is covered in snow it makes a solid dark ceiling anyway so I don't see it being much different, other than stronger and won't crack.

dftkarin wrote:

What are the metal corregated roof panels called? Are they easy to install?

Well.. I don't know sorry to say...   in my Lowe's they are located right with the PVC ones on the bottom of the rack. 
Corrugated Metal Sheets?  it's the cheapest roofing they have...

we just installed the smoke grey on our run and I really like it so far.  It lets plenty of light in and partially shades them and in Texas that's must.  I didn't want to use metal for fear that it would shade too much or the clear since I've noticed a tendency for it to yellow over time.

We went with dark green because someone on another post from Alaska said the clear ones WAAAAY overheated their coop.  The dark green covers our coop and run, and worked great this summer keeping both well shaded.  I guess I would worry more about them getting too hot then not having enough light, especially if they are out during the day.