Opal polycarbonate

[Brack]

I'm building a greenhouse/shed/place to sit in the garden when it rains. It'll be about 4.2m X 2m facing roughly south, with a single pitch roof sloping down to the north side. For the front I've got a 4m long 1.5m high double glazed 4pane window with a couple of windows for the sides and hopefully the door from our house (assuming our new door comes soon). Plan is to lay a layer of blocks as a dwarf wall then build framework etc. On top of that. My original idea was to use wood for the north wall to better insulate and give some privacy.
I've been able to acquire a good bunch of opal polycarbonate sheets (25mm at that) which is enough to do the roof. My question is has anyone used opal polycarbonate for a roof? It's probably only 50-60% light transmission. The south wall and east/west ends would be double glazed glass.
Alternatively I could use the opal sheets for the north wall to allow a bit more light in and find some clear polycarbonate for the roof (and save a bit of cash on the wood cladding, plus less to paint/stain).
I'd be interested in people's opinion/experience. I'm in Durham, so not usually suffering from an excess of sun and it can get cold in winter.

[veggiechicken]

Do you mean "opaque"?

[Brack]

No, it's translucent and diffuses light, but probably absorbs half of the light. It came from a conservatory roof, I think they put it on conservatory roofs sometimes to cut down on solar heating.

25mm Opal Polycarbonate Sheet For Conservatory Roofs - Multiwall

[nickdub]

If I was doing it I'd go with the opal polycarbonate you have already for the roof and see how the plants do for you with that in place. My guess is that they will grow with no problem. But as a fallback position as long as the polycarbonate sheets you have are a standard size you can always quite easily swap in some clear ones later, if you think its necessary.


BTW a solid north wall is a benefit particularly in winter as the bricks or blocks act as a thermal-sink and keep the growing area warmer than it would otherwise be by slowly releasing the heat taken up during the day over cold nights.

[4Shoes]

Going with the view that it will be more a pottering / living space, the polycarbonate you already have will be fine for the roof. It will never be a greenhouse (in terms of light), but will give good growing space.

If better light is required, you could always replace some panels at one end and retain the shade in the sitting area.

Good luck with the build

[nathsamlove]

This could be of use?

Storm Building supplies have a good range of polycarbonate sheeting that could be of use for future projects?

Here's a link - https://stormbuildingproducts.com/pr...nate-sheeting/.

[steve55]

Opal Polycarbonate

I have used Omega Build in the past for my poly - They also offer 25mm polycarbonate sheets and they seem to have a special offer at the moment as well. See https://www.omegabuild.com/shop/shop...range-of-sizes

Hope this helps.

[bravo2zero]

The polycarbonate you refer to is Opal White Diffused and if im not mistaken has a light tranmission of 44%.I used to make the stuff. Better to use clear as much as possible especially the roof and make sure you have tje UV barrier out. Could use the OWD for a side panel. 44% lt will cut oit half the light. The diffusion diffuses a specific light soirce to blur or haze.