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.