ACRYLITE® Multi-Skin Installation Guidelines

STORAGE

• Store wrapped pallets under a solid roof out of direct sun. Prevent solar heating and moisture absorption.
• Transfer stored multi-skin directly to the roof. Placing sheets on the ground may cause warping.
• Remove sheet masking as soon as possible. Sun degrades masking, making it difficult to remove.

CUTTING

• Cut multi-skin with a handheld circular saw and an acrylic cutting blade.
• Reputable acrylic blade suppliers include Forrest, Freud, and Amana.
• Support multi-skin sheet under both sides of the cut.
• Clamp a straight guide board on top of the sheet. Vibration may cause cracks.
• Blow cutting debris out of multi-skin channels with compressed air.
• Try making rip cuts within 5/8” of nearest multi-skin rib. A spacer is available if close cuts are not practical.

MOISTURE AND DUST CONTROL

• Seal the top of each sheet with 3M #425 aluminum tape. This seal keeps dust and moisture laden air from rising up through the channels in the multi-skin sheet.
• Enclose the bottom of the sheet in an aluminum extrusion.
• The bottom extrusion must allow condensation to drain from all the channels.
• Install ALLTOP with either side down; this product has a hydrophilic coating on both sides and within the channels. Install all other products with the hydrophilic NO DRIP side inwards (facing high humidity).

SAFETY

• DO NOT WALK ON ACRYLIC ROOFING. Lay 2x10 walking planks across acrylic roofing.
• Use non-slip foam or rubber sheets under walking planks to prevent scratches.
• Use only approved paints, cleaners, sealants and gaskets. Non-approved products may attack acrylic.
• Recommended sealants include DOWSIL™ 795 and GE SilPruf™ SCS2000.

ROOF STRUCTURE

• Pitch roofs 1” for every 12” of run to insure water sheds off.
• Consider white reflective paint for top surfaces of the roof structure. If these surfaces absorb solar radiation, the acrylic sheet may overheat.
• Design for expansion due to temperature and humidity.
• From cold and dry to hot and humid, plan 1/8” expansion for every 1’ of length.
• Sheets 24’0” long in winter may grow to 24’3” in summer.
• Allow sheets to expand by limiting clamping forces and including a sufficient pocket at the ridge.
• Support multi-skin sheets with an aluminum bar and cap glazing system designed for acrylic. The glazing system must limit clamping forces so the acrylic sheet is free to expand and contract.
• Rigidly held acrylic may crack.
• Glazing systems with EPDM gaskets allow multi-skin panels to expand and flex without damage.
• DO NOT POINT FASTEN MULTI-SKIN ACRYLIC.
• Space the glazing bars to engage 5/8” of acrylic on each side of the sheet.
• Include horizontal purlins for loads above 15 psf.
• 8mm sheet with a 20 psf load requires purlins 7’ on center.
• 16mm sheet with a 20 psf load requires purlins 14’ on center.
• Higher snow and wind loads require more supports. Contact Technical Service for assistance.
• Consider white EPDM spacers on each purlin to reduce scratching.
• Cut the spacers equal to 2 channel widths.
• Install one spacer for every 2’ of sheet width.
• Add an additional glazing bar 24” from each gable end to resist wind-induced uplift.

MORE HELP

• Call Roehm America Technical Service at 207-490-4230.