Can I use silicone to seal Suntuf?
Silicone sealers and adhesives can be used if they are the neutral cure type, also check on the tube if they are compatible with polycarbonate plastics.
How important is it to follow the PSP SunTuf general recommendations on product usage?
Very important. Recommendations for the storage, installation and general treatment of SunTuf sheets are drafted to ensure that the product’s quality and serviceability is met to full extent, and following these recommendations ensures that product warranty isn't void.
Do I really need to buy the PSP SunTuf recommended foam eave fillers and screws for corrugated panels?
Yes. PSP SunTuf products are a system that is meant to provide the best possible installation. Proper use of the complete system (sheets, foam eave fillers, fasteners, etc.) greatly reduces the possibility of problems and ensures that product warranty will be honoured.
How do I cut SunTuf sheets?
SunTuf sheets may be cut with either a circular saw (using a very fine blade, e.g. Irwin Marathon PVC blade.) or a fine bladed jig saw. For best results it is often better to cut a few sheets at a time to reduce vibration. Sheets may also be cut by hand by carefully using tin snips, heavy duty scissors or a utility knife. For further information please refer to the SunTuf installation manual.
What should I use to clean my panels?
Warm water with a mild household detergent should be sufficient to clean SunTuf sheets. Wipe off any remained dirt with a soft cloth and wash again. Water blasting is also suitable only when the nozzle is kept at least 500mm from the sheet. NEVER use a solvent based cleaners (ammonia, etc.). NEVER wipe the sheets when dry. AVOID using sponges or brushes that can scratch the sheets surface.
Why do I have to pre-drill fastener holes in roofing with corrugated panels?
Pre-drilling the holes insures the panels will have room to expand and contract properly with temperature change. Skipping this step can lead to distorted or warped panel.
How many fastening options are there? And what is best for my installation?
The PSP SunTuf fastening range covers all options, from the self-drilling expansion hole cutting SupaDrive Multi to the basic Suntuf DIY roof fasteners and wall fasteners. DIY fasteners are available in Class 4 Galvanised and 304 grade Stainless-Steel finishes.
Do SunTuf sheets keep the "heat" out?
To a certain extent! Standard SunTuf sheets are available in a variety of colours each with its own heat and light transmission properties. While all SunTuf sheets block 99.9% of harmful UV radiation, there are variations in heat and light transmission. Clear sheets allow most solar light and heat through while opaque colours are more reflective. In cases where excessive heat build-up is a concern, we offer CoolTech™ tints that outperform conventional 'light to heat ratio', such as CoolTech Ice™ & CoolTech Grey™. For more information go to the CoolTech™ page.
How long do SunTuf Sheets last?
SunTuf has a lifetime warranty that covers light transmission for 25 years and hail & breakage for 15 years
The actual life expectancy can be as much as 30 years +, depending on professional installation practice and environmental factors like air pollution, winds, and erosion by sand particles etc.
My building inspector says I need to know your flame spread rating. Can you provide this information?
Yes. We can provide test reports and other such documents. Please contact your local PSP office if you require this data.
Do SunTuf Flashing accessories come in all of the same colours as the sheets?
No. SunTuf flashing accessories are only available in clear, when installed over coloured or tinted sheets they will take on the colour of the underlying sheet.
In roofing with corrugated panels, what are purlins?
Purlins are cross members running left to right across the rafters of your structure.
In roofing with corrugated panels, where should I start?
You can choose to install left to right, or right to left. It is recommended to place your overlaps facing away from dominant wind at the site. Never start at both sides, or at any two separate points.
Where on the sheet do I place the fasteners and how many?
For roofing applications, the fastenings are placed in the centre of the crests. For wall installations the fasteners are placed in the centre of the valleys hence these fasteners are only 25mm long compared to the 55mm long roofing fasteners.
The fastening sequence for both applications is a fastener every second crest and the front and the back of the sheet, for the purlins in between place a fastener every third crest.
Is it OK to fix screws by a power drill or screwdriver?
Adjustable electric drill or screwdriver are allowed, provided you set the torque to the minimal needed, in order to prevent over-tightening and local deformation of the panel.
Is it OK to walk over roofing sheets while in storage, during or after installation?
No. use crawling boards placed above the purlins and follow all current safety practices.
What is the weight of typical Suntuf panels?
SUNTUF® 76/18 Corrugated Iron
Thickness - 0.8mm
Area weight - 1.08Kg/m2
SUNTUF® 76/18 Corrugated Greca
Thickness - 0.8mm
Area weight - 1.20Kg/m2
Note: contact your local PSP office or visit the www.suntuf.co.nz website for additional sheet profiles and data.
How should I store packed Suntuf sheets?
Store packed sheets in a protected, shaded, ventilated site, with no direct exposure to sunlight and winds. In outdoor temporary storage cover with opaque protective film, and avoid PVC films and heat-absorbing materials.
Note: Surface protective films that cover sheets are highly sensitive to heat and direct sunlight. Excessive heat and direct sunlight before taking off the film can cause gluing of that film to the sheet surface, after which it will not be practically possible to remove it from the sheet!
Why is there a printed strip & label on the top side of Suntuf sheets and should I peel it off?
Suntuf has UV protection on one side only. The printed masking strip on Suntuf sheets contains general information list that includes size and colour, that also includes important information to the installer, as an indication of the UV protected side of the sheet, that should be installed facing outwards (towards the sun) this is extremely important.
It is recommended to peel off the information strips and labels immediately after installation. If this is not feasible, peeling off before installing the sheets, will require at least a small ID mark on the UV protected surface, to prevent the sheet being installed upside down. Note: Failure to follow these instructions will void the Suntuf warranty.
Please also note: Information films that are attached to the sheets are highly sensitive to heat and direct sunlight. Long term exposure to sunlight & heat and prior to the removal of the film strip and label can cause permanent bonding to the sheet surface.
Can the Suntuf sheets be curved?
Yes. Sheets can be cold curved in length to achieve arched roofs. It is very important that Suntuf specifications for minimum radius in cold curving are followed. The minimum radiuses for Corrugated (Iron 76) and Greca 76 are 4m. Note curving is not recommended across the rib’s direction.
Can these sheets catch fire?
Yes. In principle all plastic materials are flammable and will catch fire in presence of exterior flame. The ignition temperature of polycarbonate sheets is 490ºC (915ºF). Polycarbonate materials are self-extinguishing, meaning that they will stop burning when the flame source is removed.
Do the sheets expand in heat?
Yes. Plastic sheets expand with heat, and shrink with cold.
Being a thermoplastic, Polycarbonate demonstrates an expansion/contraction characteristic, causing a change in dimensions. The use of enlarged screw holes in corrugated sheets are standard methods that should be followed. Always use the guidelines in the Suntuf installation instructions.
Example: A 5 meter long SUNTUF sheet will add up 3.25mm when the temperature is raised by 10ºC.
Do SunTuf Polycarbonate roofing sheets really block UV radiation?
Yes. SunTuf Polycarbonate sheets filter out 99.9% of the sun’s harmful radiation. With the benefit of allowing non harmful radiation combined with excellent light transmission, makes for the perfect combination for healthy plant growth, therefore SunTuf is a perfect greenhouse product.
If polycarbonate sheets block UV radiation, why is there a ‘UV side’ to face outwards?
Polycarbonate naturally filters harmful UV radiation by absorbing it. Unlike most plastics the basic UV protection ingredient (UV Stabiliser) cannot be blended in with the polycarbonate resin. Therefore, all exterior grade Polycarbonate sheets are manufactured by applying a coextruded UV protection layer know as a UV cap. This layer protects the sheet from UV whereas the base material only filters Harmful UV, without the UV cap layer polycarbonate sheets yellow off and become brittle. With SunTuf Polycarbonate roofing this UV cap layer is only applied to one side using a premium UV cap, giving years of trouble-free UV protection, therefore it is essential that this side faces outwards towards the sky.
Why should I paint the topside of structural rafters and purlins with paint?
To prevent excessive localised heat build-up via the rafters and purlins, it is recommended that prior to installation of the SunTuf Sheets, that the top of your structure is coated only with light or white coloured paint.
Avoid dark colours like black or brown that can absorb and reflect intensive heat, causing scorching on the underside of the sheets.