Suntuf - attaching to purlins - can I use glue?

[curiositykt]

I'm making the Garden Coop and I am trying to figure out how to attach the roof.

Our coop is built on very soft ground (The foundation is secure though, it's only soft on the top part) and we don't have a small ladder, we only have a large 10 foot ladder and a step stool.

I am entirely unclear on how to to screw the suntuf panels to the foam spacers which are attached to the purlins with nails. I am wondering if I can use one of those "Liquid Nails" sort of adhesives to attach the panels to the foam? it seems like this would be easier since I can work under the roof, and the main issue is that I can't get on top of the roof. The adhesive says it works with foam and plastic and it's rated for external use and it's waterproof. It seems like this should work?

 

[PL001]

Not all plastics are created equal. Suntuf panels are polycarbonate which can be susceptible to chemical attack. For that reason I would steer clear of any sort of adhesive product. If you want to use a sealant on the panels Palram has a recommended sealant list at www.palramamericas.com\sealants. You also want to make sure the coop is well ventilated if you are using polycarbonate to avoid a buildup of ammonia fumes which can damage the panels.

The recommended fastening method is to pre-drill holes for the fasteners and use the recommended 2” screw, fastening on the crown of the panel rather than the valley. This allows for better thermal movement and helps prevent leakage that can occur when fastening in the valley. Fasteners should be tightened only until the washer touches the panel, if the washer deforms then the fastener is too tight.

If you need to go on the roof to accomplish the fastening lay a board or piece of plywood across multiple rafters to distribute the weight across the structure. Only do this if the structure is sturdy enough to support the additional weight. Another alternative is to stand on a ladder between the rafters and fasten the first panel, then move the ladder to the next space and fasten the second panel etc. This requires reaching across the panel from one side and may be more difficult. You will have to determine which method works best for you.

 

[curiositykt]

If you need to go on the roof to accomplish the fastening lay a board or piece of plywood across multiple rafters to distribute the weight across the structure. Only do this if the structure is sturdy enough to support the additional weight. Another alternative is to stand on a ladder between the rafters and fasten the first panel, then move the ladder to the next space and fasten the second panel etc. This requires reaching across the panel from one side and may be more difficult. You will have to determine which method works best for you.

This is the problem. I am pretty certain the coop is not sturdy enough to hold my weight on the rafters (it doesn't have walls yet, just a frame) and the ground under it is very uneven (there is a stump and roots) and I don't have a ladder that fits inside the structure anyway.

 

[chfite]

With a step ladder, you could work around the roof from the edges.