"Dave D" wrote in message
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"Leon" wrote in message
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"jloomis" wrote in message
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I paid about 46.00 for a 2 x 16 ft sheet.
I am sure a person could get it for less.
I did not price the fiberglass since all I have had was problems with
it.
It discolors, degrades, is brittle.........and in about 4 to 6 years it
is ready for replacement.
With Poly Carbonate, that is not the case.

so price is not the object.


The only down side that I think I see, if the pitch on the roof is
slight, is that crap collects up there. I replaced the roof on a
neighbors see through patio cover. Leaves and dirt simply did not wash
off and over a period of years you could see quite a science project
growing on top. That is going to happen with any material but the clear
tends to expose it for your viewing pleasure. ;~)

I believe there is another downside to using polycarbonate...If it gets a
crack, split, or hole in it, whatever the cause, there is no way to repair
it. You must replace the sheet (in this case). Some years back Bombardier
made their snowmobile cowlings out of polycarbonate. The same thing
applied - no way to repair - replacement was the only option. Since then
they have returned to a rubberized compound that flexes quite a bit more
but it can be repaired....I believe this is the same stuff....

I dont think a cracking situation woule be that big of a problem in this
application. Many sun rooms and green houses use this material. It is all
open to the elements a leak would not be tragic. OTOH cowlings would be a
different matter. AAMOF there is a small company that is using this
material for window protection in hurricane areas.