Installing polycarbonate twinwall

[farmfromkansas]

  Reading instructions on Amerilux International  twinwall polycarbonate installation sheet, shows only 6 screws per sheet, none on bottom row, except one screw in each end of the H channel.  Was not planning any H channel on the edge of the solar kiln, was just going to let the panel overhang about 1",  and put some screws or silicone caulking along that edge,  Seems a little light on fasteners, Kansas wind might just take off with the panels.  Can someone who has used twinwall please advise?

[btulloh]

Had to take a look at mine - 4 in the bottom,4 in the top, 2 more on each side.  Total of 12. No problems with wind, although I'm not in Kansas. None in the bottom sounds kinda crazy no matter where. I pretty much followed the guidelines. Except where I didn't.  :D  Can't remember what it said about the bottom, but screws seem like a good idea. 

If you put silicon on the sides it may lead to buckling. My sides extend over about three inches and no caulk. I guess it depends on how much material you have to work with. 

[tacks Y]

I have the twin wall 1/2" or 5/8". I put some screws in and when moving to new location I got a couple cracks. 1 on the inside only but another through both.

[farmfromkansas]

Didn't think about damaging plastic while moving, have built it in the shed, and was planning to move it.  Maybe should get everything done but the plastic, move it and then install the plastic.  These instructions say use 100% silicone in the H strips, and show H strips on both edges.  Have plenty to have overhang, thanks to a strip left over from replacing the cover on a solar panel.  The panel had a metal angle that goes around perimeter.

[btulloh]

Silicon in the H strips make sense.  The whole thing can still expand and contract.  My H strips don't have any silicon and they don't leak, but they tend to slide down a little bit over time.  I must have missed that in the directions.  :embarassed:

The damage from moving probably is a result of racking.  I suppose some well placed temporary braces could solve that.  Or like you said, install the twinwall after moving.  Good to know to watch out for that.  I plan to move mine at some point, and I would have learned the hard way.

[farmfromkansas]

Have figured out where to put the thing, right next to the solar panels for the container dryer.  Close to a receptacle, and room enough to maneuver around behind it for loading.