How and how to close the ends of polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is a modern good material. It bends, it is easy to cut and glue it, you can create a structure of the required shape from it. But over time, water and dirt begin to accumulate in its cells, insects hide there for the winter, which leads to damage to the material and destruction of the structure. Therefore, the question often arises of how and how you can glue the ends of polycarbonate with high quality.

Polycarbonate has appeared relatively recently, but has already become popular due to its durability, resistance to different weather conditions. It transmits and scatters sunlight well, retains heat in a closed structure. Sheds and canopies of buildings are made of cellular polycarbonate, greenhouses and gazebos are erected. In this case, it is imperative to close the ends of the product so that it lasts a long time.

Some people try to do this with scotch tape. Of course, such material will be cheap, but it will provide protection for a maximum of a year, then it will begin to break. Therefore, you need to use materials specifically designed to seal open polycarbonate cells. There are different means to solve the problem.

For example, a rubber face seal can be used. It has a low price, is easy to use, and helps to reduce the vibration of polycarbonate in the wind.

You can glue the ends with special tapes. Their purpose is to protect cellular polycarbonate from factors destroying it. The product has an almost unlimited service life, it is not afraid of mechanical damage, moisture, temperature extremes. The upper layer of the tape plays a sealing role, the inner layer is covered with high-quality durable glue.

There are 2 types of tapes:

• perforated;
• sealing solid.

When erecting a structure, both types will be needed, since they are used in different ways and have different functions. The sealant is glued to those ends that are at the top of the structure. It prevents debris, precipitation, insects from entering the building material.

Perforated is applied to the bottom ends, it has an air filter. The main task of such a tape is to remove moisture that accumulates in the honeycomb during the operation of polycarbonate.

Also, an effective way would be to use end profiles. They need to be put on the edge of the canvas. The end profile will reliably protect the honeycomb, will create a frame for flexible polycarbonate sheets, and will give a more aesthetic appearance to the structure.

It is quite possible to do the processing of the ends with your own hands. To solder the edges with the tape yourself, you only need a tool to cut the tape - a knife or scissors. It is also advisable to have a stitching roller on hand. You need to attach the tape correctly, so follow the step-by-step instructions.

• Prepare the butt. Remove all burrs, dirt from it, it must be clean and dry. And also you need to degrease the surface.
• Take measurements and cut the tape to the required length. Remove the protective strip from it.
• Now you need to carefully attach the tape to the end. Make sure that the middle of it can then be laid on the end.
• Smooth the tape well to avoid bubbles and unevenness.
• Bend the tape and close it with the middle of the end, iron it well with ironing movements.
• Bend the tape again and cover the other side of the sheet. Iron. Use a roller to create a smooth and even attachment of the tape to the sheet.

In order for the structure to serve for a long time, use the following recommendations.

• Before sealing the ends, it is imperative to remove the remnants of the protective film and glue from the polycarbonate sheet.
• When gluing the tape, do not wrinkle or wrinkle it, and do not pull it too tightly. Use only punched tape if the structure is arched.
• For greater reliability, use end profiles over the tape. Match them to the color of the canvas.
• If you urgently need to seal the ends, but there is no tape, use construction tape. However, do not forget that it is only a temporary solution.

How to close the ends of polycarbonate, see the video.