semi-transparent floor
I guess this is a tough one....
I am thinking of make the most of two roof windows by letting the light coming from these through the ceiling into the second floor of a terrace house. At the moment I am considering using sheets of polycarbonate (triplewall 16mm) in the area just below the two windows. These sheets would cover an area of about 2m x 4m around the centre of the loft space while the rest will be covered with the usual chipboard. Ideally, the loft area should be usable...in the same way as if it was covered entirely by chipboard. I've already done a quick test and I am quite positive that the polycarbonate sheet will work just fine if not better than chipboard. However there are certain issues which I need to consider before moving forwards: The loft space will be used for studio recording and I want to avoid reflective surfaces as much as possible. I am thinking of using a sort of perforated carpet (made of seagrass or simialar) on top of the polycarbonate sheets. Where can I find such product or are there any viable alternative? Has anyone out there any experience in semi-transparent and non reflective floors? Any hint is very much appreciated, Thanks Alex |
|
On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:06:10 +0100, Alan
wrote: In message . com, wrote I've already done a quick test and I am quite positive that the polycarbonate sheet will work just fine if not better than chipboard. Will it still be as strong in, say, 5 years time? Will UV or heat cause it to become brittle? Will it suffer fatigue with constant walking across it? And a big sign that says .No Skirts Please . Stuart Shift THELEVER to reply. |
wrote in message ups.com... I guess this is a tough one.... I am thinking of make the most of two roof windows by letting the light coming from these through the ceiling into the second floor of a terrace house. At the moment I am considering using sheets of polycarbonate (triplewall 16mm) in the area just below the two windows. These sheets would cover an area of about 2m x 4m around the centre of the loft space while the rest will be covered with the usual chipboard. Ideally, the loft area should be usable...in the same way as if it was covered entirely by chipboard. I've already done a quick test and I am quite positive that the polycarbonate sheet will work just fine if not better than chipboard. I've used 16mm triple wall polycarbonate for a conservatory roof. I took great care not to put too much weight on it because I am quite positive it isn't strong enough. If it were solid 16mm polycarbonate, that would be a different matter. The more usual material for clear floors is thick glass. Colin Bignell |
On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:06:10 +0100, Alan wrote:
In message . com, wrote I've already done a quick test and I am quite positive that the polycarbonate sheet will work just fine if not better than chipboard. Will it still be as strong in, say, 5 years time? Will UV or heat cause it to become brittle? Will it suffer fatigue with constant walking across it? The window glass will filter out most of the shortwave UV, so it should last a lot longer than if used outdoors. |
|
On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 00:06:10 +0100, Alan
wrote: In message . com, wrote I've already done a quick test and I am quite positive that the polycarbonate sheet will work just fine if not better than chipboard. Will it still be as strong in, say, 5 years time? Will UV or heat cause it to become brittle? Will it suffer fatigue with constant walking across it? Also, if there were a fire it could melt, posing a hazard for anyone trapped in the loft. |
On 24 Apr 2005 15:42:08 -0700, wrote:
I guess this is a tough one.... I am thinking of make the most of two roof windows by letting the light coming from these through the ceiling into the second floor of a terrace house. This will work from the light point of view. Our house has a similar system at the top of a staircase. It doesn't give all that much light, but enough, but then we don't have a proper window, just polycarbonate replacement roof tiles, and the (glass!) sheet below is only about 3' x 2'. The glass is also in what would be called the 'landing' area of the attic floor! We have thought of replacing it with a sunpipe but they are expensive and we will probably put in a proper door/window at the top of the stairs at some point. No idea about the strength issues with polycarbonate sheets or how to make them non-reflective surfaces. Given that what you are proposing to do would cost a bit anyway I wonder if a sunpipe might be a better idea? -- Holly, in France Holiday home in Dordogne http://la-plaine.chez.tiscali.fr |
|
I've forgotten to mention that there are joists (350mm gap)underneath
the sheets. Poycarbonate is easy to handle and can be cut to size unlike toughened glass. |
|
Polycarbonate is much more resistant to heat and fire than other
plastics...however you might have a point. In any case I don't think chipboard does a particularly good job against fire and it is pretty useless against water. |
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:32 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter