Working with polybycarbonate and is it safe from predators?

[Lulu-vt]

TLDR; do I need to use rafters with each of my sheets of poly roofing?

I'm starting on the roof of my run today. My plan is to use some transparent polycarbonate sheets so the sunlight still gets through to the ground (and it's pretty affordable). I was hoping to NOT do a big old roof thing like I had to do with the coop. I didn't really want to run 2ft off centered rafters and purlins but it looks like I might have to? I was hoping to run rafters every 4 ft or so and then attach purlins. Since the bicarbonate roof is so light I didn't think I needed such a burly structure. But.... I just realized that if I don't secure each edge of the roof then it will become at risk for a predator to break through. Am I right? If a raccoon got on top of the roof (you know they will), if it's not secured by 2ft rafters, it could break - even if it's secured by purlins?

My coop is secure. The run is not - yet. If predators get into the run at night, they still can't get into the coop (for the most part unless it's a strong and can rip hardware cloth or doors off)

Also, the run is not square. Annoyingly so. I just can't build square things apparently. It's very trapezoid-like which makes roof building a nightmare. It might be 2ft wider at one end than the other. A lot of this was because of my rolling terrain (but Im making excuses!)

I've attached part of the run. Thanks for your help. I'm starting today.

 

[aart]

if it's not secured by 2ft rafters, it could break

Not sure what this means.

even if it's secured by purlins?

Should definitely have purlins on top of properly spaced rafters.

It might be 2ft wider at one end than the other.

That is definitely going to be a problem.

 

[Folly's place]

It's not the weight of the polycarb, it's the weight of ice and snow!!! You are in snow country, so best to build for that. our coop/ run combination is framed to local home building code standards, because: I'm not going to be out there in a blizzard at 2am cleaning a flimsy roof, and because I'm in the coop and don't want it collapsing on me, never mind the chickens.
Review your plans, keep your birds and yourself safe.
Mary

 

[Lulu-vt]

It's not the weight of the polycarb, it's the weight of ice and snow!!!

thank you!! Of course. I didn’t even think of the weight of snow. I was hoping it would slide off but I know it won’t always. The pitch is not as steep since I lowered one side.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Should definitely have purlins on top of properly spaced rafters.

Yes, I will have purlins. I was hoping the purlins would be enough support for 4’ space rafters. I just didn’t want to do every two feet. It’s a lot of work, I’m by myself and it takes time. But obviously it’s time well spent in the long run.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Polycarbonate does not hold up to hail.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Not sure what this means.

I wish I could reply like you, it’s so organized! What I meant is that if I don’t have my panels properly supported by rafters and use purlins only, then the weight of a raccoon could potentially break the roof panel. I hear they are fragile. I don’t need an animal falling through the roof into the run and not being able to get out! Then the auto door opens in the morning just in time for breakfast.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Polycarbonate does not hold up to hail.

We don’t get hail. But we do get snow and ice.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Polycarbonate does not hold up to hail.

This^^ and storms in general. We had some bad storms in the Midwest this summer. After the last big storm we drove around then next morning and noticed that several barns with polycarbonate panels under the eaves were all broken. These panels were all protected by a 1-2’ roof overhang, but when the wind gets going here it sends things flying like rockets.

 

[Lulu-vt]

This^^ and storms in general. We had some bad storms in the Midwest this summer. After the last big storm we drove around then next morning and noticed that several barns with polycarbonate panels under the eaves were all broken. These panels were all protected by a 1-2’ roof overhang, but when the wind gets going here it sends things flying like rockets.

Bummer. I guess anything is susceptible to being damaged by a big storm. I wouldn’t know what else to use. I don’t want to use metal roofing because I’m trying to keep the cost down. (I already went WAY over budget on their coop). This would just be for the run, not their coop.