Enough ventilation

[U_Stormcrow]

Interesting. I'll have to check it out in store because the website doesn't always show what's available at price. But from the prices I did see... it looks like plywood would still be cheaper in my area. I can get a 4x8 for around $53 while the polycarbonate is $24 for a 26"x6' piece... I think.

I recommend against it, but its usually sold in 8' and sometimes 12' lengths, with a "wave" profile. You have to pre-drill holes for polycarbonate, larger than the screw, to allow for thermal expansion and contraction, and its wave profile means there are no flats, making it easy to place screws in a way not perpendicular to the material, adding to the potential for leaks and stress fractures. For that reason, the half hex profile, rather than the smooth wave, tends to be much more forgiving - probably worth the greater expense for that factor alone.

and in my area, you are still looking at about $52-55 per 32 sq ft for the half hex profile. and you will need ribbing for it - a further (small) expense.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

OP was concerned about its ability to be walked upon by the local predators, however. Additionally, OP's climate is such that they want to avoid passive heat gain from solar penetration thru the roofing material. Finally, the anticipated lifespan for polycarbonate is about 1/2 that of other materials - and the more clear it is, the faster it breaks down under UV.

Thus my choice NOT to recommend it, in spite of its price advantages (I've considered it, repeatedly, for my own builds).

If you've never used it, maybe give it a try and gain some personal experience. My roof easily holds my weight, does not leak (you have to use the proper screws), and since my run is open on the sides, it doesn't create any additional heat. On an open air coop I would expect similar results. There are also opaque options, although mine is clear.

As far as the lifespan being half of other materials, I would be interested to hear more about that. I expect a minimum of 10 years out of the product based on the warranty, but won't be surprised if it's closer to 20, which is inline with a conventional shingled roof at less cost and much easier installation.

I consider the simplicity an added advantage that shouldn't be overlooked. In about half a day, by myself I'll be able to remove and install a new roof when required on my 8' x 10' run. I'll need only two items, new panels and new screws.

Re: heat and lifespan, this is a snippet from Suntuf, the manufacturer of the panels I bought:

The Suntuf Polycarbonate range is available in three styles – Standard, SolarSmart and SolarSmart Selective. Use the Standard range for the most cost effective solutions or SolarSmart if you are wanting to reduce heat. SolarSmart sheets reflects more radiation across the entire ultraviolet light spectrum, not just the portion that provides visible light – this means that there is more HEAT reflected, making this range COOLER.

All Suntuf Polycarbonate sheets have a Limited Lifetime Warranty and provide 99.9% UV protection under the harsh Australian sun, so you and your family can enjoy your outdoor areas without getting burnt.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

If you've never used it, maybe give it a try and gain some personal experience. My roof easily holds my weight, does not leak (you have to use the proper screws), and since my run is open on the sides, it doesn't create any additional heat. On an open air coop I would expect similar results. There are also opaque options, although mine is clear.

As far as the lifespan being half of other materials, I would be interested to hear more about that. I expect a minimum of 10 years out of the product based on the warranty, but won't be surprised if it's closer to 20, which is inline with a conventional shingled roof at less cost and much easier installation.

I consider the simplicity an added advantage that shouldn't be overlooked. In about half a day, by myself I'll be able to remove and install a new roof when required on my 8' x 10' run. I'll need only two items, new panels and new screws.

Re: heat and lifespan, this is a snippet from Suntuf, the manufacturer of the panels I bought:

The Suntuf Polycarbonate range is available in three styles – Standard, SolarSmart and SolarSmart Selective. Use the Standard range for the most cost effective solutions or SolarSmart if you are wanting to reduce heat. SolarSmart sheets reflects more radiation across the entire ultraviolet light spectrum, not just the portion that provides visible light – this means that there is more HEAT reflected, making this range COOLER.

All Suntuf Polycarbonate sheets have a Limited Lifetime Warranty and provide 99.9% UV protection under the harsh Australian sun, so you and your family can enjoy your outdoor areas without getting burnt.

I live in hot humid Florida. I left hot sometimes humid Texas. 8-15 years was all people got out of the polycarbonates - with time they become brittle, spiderweb and crack - shorter lifespans associated with poor installation, of course. TX sees big daily temp swings (unlike FL), which means lots of expansion and contraction, which in turn means lots of stress at the screws if they are installed improperly (too tight, and undersized holes being the top two, followed by angled screw entry as the number three cause of failure).

The light which passes thru heats the soil, adding to heat gain - even as good airflow compensates - and even though much of the UV is blocked. Much lke a car windshield. A shingle roof is good for 20-25 years in our climate, metal roofs 40+ (again, assuming proper installation). Neither of the latter allows light thru, the soil stays cooler.

I probably would have used a couple polycarbonate panels, interspersed with my metal ones, simply to provide passive light in a barn I built which doesn't have power, and accepted the shorter lifespan - except that I couldn't find a profile that sat well on a metal panel I was willing to use. The two products really aren't designed to work well together.

Oh, and if you see the "Ondura" line of asphault reinforced fiberglass materials??? KEEP WALKING. They really don't take temp extremes well.

all that said, I'm interested in how you framed yours out to make a roof you could comfortably walk on for purpose besides maintenance?? DO you have to walk only over the purlins, or can you step anywhere?

 

[Acre4Me]

Hot SW-

Shade: a must. Trees or similar shade producing bulk. Shade cloth. Vining plants such as gourds that produce large leaves and grow fast.

Mister used in shady area might be a helpful option.

Livestock ventilation fans or roof vents (passive or powered) to help move air. The slant of a roof can also help move air.

Roofing material: we have wood/shingles on coop, but have metal otherwise, and some polycarbonate panels. The run is 50’ in length, and the roof is the entire 50’, and the run backs up to the barn. The wood/shingle roof help to minimize condensation from hot/cold and is better insulating. The metal is great over the run. The poly lets in light and heat. I would not use the poly that if I had other choices in the SW. but, it is durable, and a viable option in all ways except solar gain due to your area.

Good luck

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh, and if you see the "Ondura" line of asphault reinforced fiberglass materials??? KEEP WALKING. They really don't take temp extremes well.

I couldn't agree more. There was and Ondura roof on a structure on this property which was in abominable condition though said to be less than 10 years old.

My metal came with a 40-year guarantee.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

8-15 years was all people got out of the polycarbonates - with time they become brittle, spiderweb and crack - shorter lifespans associated with poor installation, of course. TX sees big daily temp swings (unlike FL), which means lots of expansion and contraction, which in turn means lots of stress at the screws if they are installed improperly (too tight, and undersized holes being the top two, followed by angled screw entry as the number three cause of failure).

A shingle roof is good for 20-25 years in our climate, metal roofs 40+ (again, assuming proper installation). Neither of the latter allows light thru, the soil stays cooler.

Let's assume both are installed correctly.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

all that said, I'm interested in how you framed yours out to make a roof you could comfortably walk on for purpose besides maintenance?? DO you have to walk only over the purlins, or can you step anywhere?

"My roof easily holds my weight" is what I said.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea how you got there.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Let's assume both are installed correctly.

Then it probably isn't a homeowner job. Most homeowners lack the tools, the practice, and the understanding of why it matters. Mistakes are made.

And yes, I'd like to see how you framed it, that it easily holds your weight. Polycarbonate panels aren't intended to be walked on.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

Then it probably isn't a homeowner job. Most homeowners lack the tools, the practice, and the understanding of why it matters. Mistakes are made.

And yes, I'd like to see how you framed it, that it easily holds your weight. Polycarbonate panels aren't intended to be walked on.

There's a link to my coop article in my profile.

I totally agree, those panels should not be walked on.

"My roof easily holds my weight"

 

[U_Stormcrow]

enough photo there I can see what you did - 2x4s @ 2'oc, just like I framed my metal roofing, didn't see a call out for your purlins, or their spacing. 1x4s also 2' oc?