The modern car owner often faces a dilemma: leave the car open or invest in a full-fledged building of bricks or blocks. Polycarbonate garage It is the perfect compromise between cost, speed and protective properties. This material allows you to create a reliable canopy or closed box, which will protect the body from hail, ultraviolet and precipitation, without requiring a capital foundation.
If you're looking, where Polycarbonate garage for a car to buyIt is important to understand that the market offers not just ready-made kits, but entire engineering solutions. Cellular polycarbonate 10-16 mm thick is able to withstand snow loads of up to 200 kg per square meterThis makes such designs relevant even in harsh climatic conditions. Unlike metal, the polymer does not rust, and unlike glass, it practically does not beat.
In this article, we will discuss all aspects of the acquisition and installation of such a design. You will learn about the types of frames, the features of choosing the thickness of the sheet and the nuances that are often missed when ordering. The right selection of components is the guarantee that your shelter will stand for decades without repair.
Advantages and disadvantages of polymer shelters
Choosing between a capital structure and a lightweight structure, it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons. Polycarbonate garages They benefit from their transparency: no artificial lighting is required inside during the day, which saves energy. In addition, the material has excellent thermal insulation, creating a buffer zone that prevents sharp temperature changes that are dangerous to the engine and electronics of the car.
However, the material has its own characteristics. When heated, the polycarbonate expands, so during installation heatpuck And gaps play a critical role. If you ignore the technology of fastening, the sheets can deform or crack at the first serious cold snap.
⚠️ Caution: Cheap polycarbonate without UV protection turns yellow and becomes brittle after 2-3 years of operation. Always require a certificate indicating the presence of a co-extrusion layer of protection.
Among the key advantages can be identified:
- 🏗️ Lightness of design, allowing the use of screw piles instead of concrete foundation.
- 💧 High light transmission, creating the effect of natural light.
- 🛡️ Impact resistance exceeding the performance of silicate glass 200 times.
- 🔥 Fire safety: the material belongs to the class of self-extinguishing.
The disadvantage is the tendency to accumulate static electricity, which attracts dust, but this problem is solved by regular washing. It is also worth considering that polycarbonate holds heat worse in winter compared to brick, so it is less suitable for a heated garage than for a cold parking.
Types of constructions: sheds and closed boxes
Decided. Polycarbonate garage for a car to buyYou will come across two main options for execution. The first is a single or gable canopy. It is open from three or four sides of the structure, which protects only from precipitation and the sun. It is ideal for summer or regions with mild climates.
The second option is a closed box with a gate. This design is already fully replacing the traditional garage. The walls can be made of the same polycarbonate or combined with profnastil. The closed type allows you to install gateway And the security system, turning the parking lot into a secure place.
Arched structures are especially popular due to their aerodynamics. Snow and water roll off them by chance, without lingering on the roof. Straight pitched roofs require a more powerful frame and adherence to an angle of at least 15 degrees.
When choosing a type of design, it is important to consider the dimensions of the site. If space is small, the arched canopy will take up less space visually and physically. For large areas and two cars, it is more advisable to consider rectangular boxes with a flat or gable roof.
Material selection: cellular or monolithic
The basis of any garage is the plastic itself. There are two main types on the market: cellular and monolithic. Cellular polycarbonate It consists of two or more layers connected by jumpers. The air inside the cells works as an excellent thermal insulator. This material is most often chosen for garages because of the optimal ratio of price and quality.
Monolithic polycarbonate looks like solid glass, but is stronger than it. It is more expensive, heavier and more often used in anti-vandal structures or for glazing facades. For the roof of the garage, it is rarely used, since it holds heat worse and costs much more expensive than a cellular analogue.
The thickness of the sheet is a critical parameter. For roof in the middle strip of Russia, it is recommended to use sheets with a thickness of at least 10 mm, and preferably 16 mm. The walls can be sheathed with a material 6-8 mm thick. Using a 4-millimeter sheet for the roof of the garage is unacceptable - it will bend under the weight of snow or hail.
Secrets of marking polycarbonate
Usually, the protective film indicates the thickness, brand and class of protection. Look for the labels "Co-ex" or "UV", which ensures that there is a protective layer. If there are no such markings, you have a low-quality material that will crumble in a couple of seasons.
The color of the material also affects the microclimate. A transparent sheet lets in maximum light, but creates a greenhouse effect. Bronze or blue shades reduce the heating inside the garage, which is especially important for southern regions.
Frame: metal, wood or aluminum
Polycarbonate is a lightweight material, but it requires a hard base. Most often used for the frame profile-pipe. Metal frame has a high load-bearing capacity and durability. However, the metal requires high-quality anti-corrosion treatment, as condensation inside the garage can provoke rusting.
Wooden timber is used less often due to the need for constant treatment with antiseptics and fire danger. However, the tree fits more harmoniously into the landscape of a country house and cheaper than metal in some regions. Aluminum profiles are light and do not rust, but are expensive and inferior to steel in strength with large spans.
When buying a finished kit, pay attention to the pipe section. For racks, the optimal cross section is 60x60 mm or 80x80 mm, for roof farms - 40x20 mm or 50x30 mm. The step of installing the farms should not exceed 1 meter, otherwise under a snow load, polycarbonate can sag between the stiffness ribs.
⚠️ Note: If you buy a ready-made kit, check whether the cost of painting the frame is included. Often manufacturers supply black soil, which requires mandatory finishing immediately after installation.
The connection of the elements of the frame can be carried out by welding or bolt connection. Welded structures are stronger, but require protection of seams. Bolts are easier to transport and assemble with your own hands, but require regular checks of the tightening of the fastener.
Foundation and methods of attachment
One of the main advantages of polymer garages is the ability to install on a light foundation. Most often used screw-piles. They are screwed into the ground in one day, do not require excavation work and can be dismantled or moved to another location. This is an ideal option for deep soils.
If the soil allows, concrete blocks or columnar foundations can be used. The slab foundation for such lightweight structures is redundant and economically impractical, unless you plan to remodel your garage into a capital building in the future.
☑️ Preparation for foundation installation
The attachment of polycarbonate to the frame is carried out with the help of special heatwasher. Conventional screws can not be used: they do not compensate for the temperature expansion of the material. The hole in the sheet should be 2-3 mm larger than the diameter of the washer leg.
It is important to observe the orientation of the sheets during installation. The stiffness ribs should be positioned vertically so that the condensate can flow downwards rather than accumulate inside the cells. The ends of the sheets are necessarily closed with special profiles: the upper sealed tape, the lower - perforated to provide ventilation.
Cost and where to buy a garage
Price for polycarbonate garage It depends on many factors: area, thickness of the metal frame, brand of polycarbonate and region of delivery. Buy such structures is better directly from manufacturers or from large dealers specializing in greenhouses and canopies. The markets of building materials often offer goods with a markup of dealers.
Below is a comparative table of the cost of different configurations (prices are indicative, excluding delivery and installation):
| Type of design | Size (m) | Thickness of polycarbonate | Approximate price (ruble) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-stop canopy | 3 x 6 | 8 mm | 45 000 - 60 000 |
| Arched canopy | 3 x 6 | 10 mm | 55 000 - 75 000 |
| Boxing is closed | 4 x 7 | 10 mm | 120 000 - 150 000 |
| Boxing with gates | 4 x 7 | 16 mm | 160 000 - 200 000 |
When ordering, pay attention to the delivery conditions. The dimensions of the farms may not fit into a standard passenger car, so an order of trucks will be required. Many manufacturers offer a service of chief installation, when the team arrives and assembles the structure in 1-2 days.
Buy a garage in late autumn or winter. At this time, demand for outdoor structures is falling, and manufacturers often give discounts of up to 20-30% or offer free shipping.
Don’t forget to check for a guarantee. High-quality polycarbonate has a warranty life of 10 years or more, and a frame of galvanized or painted pipe - up to 5-10 years, depending on the coating.
Care and operation in winter
Polycarbonate garage almost does not require complex maintenance. A smooth surface helps to cleanse itself during rain. However, in dry weather or with severe pollution (pollen, dust), it is recommended to wash the structure with warm water with the addition of a soft detergent.
It is strictly forbidden to use abrasive sponges, brushes with hard bristles or solvents. They can damage the protective UV layer, after which the material will begin to break down. Use a soft cloth or sponge to wash.
In winter, the main task is to control snow load. Although polycarbonate is durable, the accumulation of wet snow more than 30-40 cm thick can be critical for light canopies. It is recommended to periodically clean the snow with a soft brush with a long handle, without using sharp tools (shovels, scrapers).
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to knock down ice or heavy snow with blows to the frame. This can lead to a violation of the geometry of the farms and the subsequent cracking of the sheets.
In the off-season, check the condition of fasteners. Weakened bolts need to be tightened, and the places of chipped paint on the metal frame - painted to prevent corrosion. Regular inspection will extend the life of your garage for many years.
Buying a garage made of polycarbonate is an investment in the safety of the car, which is paid off with no need for capital construction and minimal maintenance costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need permission to install a garage made of polycarbonate?
In most cases, light non-capital structures (canopies) that do not have a deep foundation and are not connected to communications do not require a building permit. However, if you are planning a capital box with a foundation, it is best to clarify this issue with the local administration, as the rules may vary depending on the region and the status of the lands.
What is the life of a polycarbonate garage?
The service life depends on the quality of the material. Cheap polycarbonate without UV protection lasts 3-5 years. Quality materials from proven brands (e.g., SafPlast, Polynex, Novattro) with a guaranteed layer of protection, it lasts 10-15 years or more while retaining its properties. The frame of the profiled pipe with proper painting serves 20-30 years.
Will a garage like this withstand hail?
Cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of 8-10 mm has high impact resistance and successfully withstands medium-sized hail. Monolithic polycarbonate is practically bulletproof for hail. However, large hail (the size of a chicken egg) can leave dents or pierce a leaf less than 6 mm thick.
Can I insulate the garage from polycarbonate?
You can insulate such a design, but it requires a competent approach. Polycarbonate itself holds heat well thanks to air chambers. For additional insulation, internal partitions or tamboures can be used. Complete insulation of walls and roof with minwola or foam is possible, but will require strengthening the frame and organizing high-quality ventilation, otherwise the formation of condensation is inevitable.