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

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?
--
Alan

In message . com,
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.

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.

Not sure I'd want to trust it. More expensive, but have you considered
glass? Failing that, how about a sunpipe; see, for example
http://www.sunpipe.co.uk/

Good luck with the studio :-)

Hwyl!

M.

--
Martin Angove: http://www.tridwr.demon.co.uk/
Two free issues: http://www.livtech.co.uk/ Living With Technology
.... Brought to you by the Mother of all Messages

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.

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.

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.

One "Gotcha".
Most transparent plasics are vulnerable to crazing, or even complete
failure if fairly small amounts of solvent get dropped on them.
You will dramatically (several times) increase the amount of light if
you build light-guides, which can be as simple as boxes sloping from the
windows into the room, foil-lined.

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

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.

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

I have been buying roof windows, there are vaious people who can sell
you glass pannels that are stroung enough to walk on.

There was a really sexy sliding roof window on Grand Designs the other
week, you could have it so that some thing slides across the glass
when you want it non reflective.

Rick

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.

wrote:
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.

But, in the case of a fire underneath, the polycarbonate will go in seconds.
I'd be looking at making a simple sloping foil-covered plate of 18mm thick
chipboard or something, that acts both as a reflector, to add great amounts
of light, and a fire door. Which can, on heat being detected below (hot-melt
glue or wax releasing a suspension rope) fall, and cover the opening.

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.

wrote:
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.

It doesn't.
The point is to slow down the fire, to give the fire brigade time to get
there.
If the fire gets into the attic, AIUI, you stand a good chance of losing the
house, and requiring a much more total renovation than a fire contained to
one or two rooms.