If it is time to protect a pergola, you are going to want to have a few ideas up your sleeve.
Most people are going to look at using a short-term tarp as a solution. Yes, this is a good option but it might not be as robust as you want it to be.
In some conditions, the tarp is not going to hold up as well as you want it to. So, what do you do then?
You will need to learn how to cover a pergola with polycarbonate.
To cover a pergola with polycarbonate, it’s important to first measure the pool. Next, trim the polycarbonate using these measurements and then place purlins on the pergola. These purlins will hold the polycarbonate before the silicone sealant is applied.
This is a simple process as long as you get the measurements right.
Always take the time to measure everything multiple times including all elements of the pergola. This is how you are going to get the cover to settle.
Here is what you will want to do as you learn how to cover a pergola with polycarbonate.
Table of Contents
Tips On How To Cover A Pergola With Polycarbonate
1. Measure The Pergola
To cover a pergola using polycarbonate, it’s important to know what you are going to be covering.
This is a mistake some people make.
You need the measurements to be accurate as even a slight mistake is going to cause the polycarbonate to become inefficient. It’s not going to stay as you want it to and that is a real concern for those who want to measure the pergola in detail.
You will want to make sure it holds up and that won’t be a problem when you venture down this path.
You have to make sure the measurements are done properly and this will be the case as long as you are diligent with what you are doing.
If you are not taking the time to measure the pergola, you are not going to get a proper read on it. This is not going to let you know what the right measurements should be in a situation such as this.
2. Trim Polycarbonate Using The Measurements
You will want to trim the polycarbonate using the measurements that you took of the pergola’s top.
This is how you are going to get the polycarbonate to come out the way you need it to be.
What are you going to use to cut the polycarbonate? You should look to use a saw. The saw is going to dig through the material and ensure it is as refined as required.
Take your time with the cutting phase.
This is an essential step because you do not want it to be too small. This is when the cover is not going to work as well as it should.
3. Place Purlins On The Pergola
You will now want to have a surface for the polycarbonate to sit on.
This is where the purlins are going to come into the equation.
The purlins are going to be beams that will settle on top of the pergola. This is going to be attached to the posts and then you are going to have a design that will work well from one side to the other.
Be patient when you are setting up the purlins on a pergola and make sure they will hold the polycarbonate as well as required.
4. Install Polycarbonate And Apply Sealant
You will need to take the time to think about how you are going to install the polycarbonate moving forward.
If you are not taking the time to do this, you are not going to get the polycarbonate to hold up as well as it needs to.
This is a real concern.
You have to be patient with your approach and make sure the polycarbonate lasts as long as it needs to. This is going to be done with the application of silicone sealant.
The purpose of the sealant is to make sure water does not get through. If you put it along the edges, it will secure the polycarbonate.
Final Thoughts
It’s best to look at these tips on how to cover a pergola with polycarbonate.
To cover a pergola with polycarbonate, measure the pergola to see how much of the material it requires. Using these measurements, cut the polycarbonate with a saw and then attach purlins to the top of the pergola as a base. This is where the polycarbonate is going to be attached. Once done, apply silicone sealant to the edges to keep water out.
The cover has to be secure and that is only possible with this type of material.
Cut the polycarbonate properly and the pergola is going to last a long time. It’s important to think of each detail whether it is choosing the right pergola post or having the right cover for your pergola moving forward.
