Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 May 25, 2014 10:34 pm The roof of my conservatory / sunroom has a glass roof which has formed many cracks over time. It is still safe because it is 6mm double glazed but I would like to fix it. I have gotten quotes ranging from $5000 to $10000 to fix it. I wonder if it might be better to try it myself using acrylic / perspex / clear plastic. I have dealt with clear acrylic on a small scale when I recently fixed a broken window which was about 10 x 10 inches. It worked out well using a cheap, thin product I bought from ebay. The roof in the conservatory has about 10 sheets of glass with a total area of 10 x 4 meters. The sheets are different sizes, some are triangular, so that must make it more expensive for contractors to do it with glass because they have to get specially cut sections. It is also fairly awkward to get to the center of the roof because it is so large. If I use acrylic sheeting, say 5mm thick, then I can cut it myself using a jigsaw. I realize it can crack but I had good luck cutting the thinner stuff (3mm i think). Of course this probably doesn't meet proper building codes and it may be dangerous for me to remove the existing glass, but we are on a very tight budget and are having trouble getting by week to week. If anyone could offer their opinion on such a project I'd appreciate it. I have also looked at polycarbonate but I find the look fairly ugly, mainly due to the corrugation. Obviously I can't use glass because it would be very difficult to cut and install myself. Re: Acrylic instead of glass for conservatory roof 2May 27, 2014 9:47 am Quote: Of course this probably doesn't meet proper building codes and it may be dangerous for me to remove the existing glass... You have answered your own question. If the replacement material you intend using is non-compliant you may have problems down the track. Have you thought of claiming the damage through your insurance company ? Stewie Re: Acrylic instead of glass for conservatory roof 3May 27, 2014 2:31 pm My parents have a conservatory on their house and it's definitely got an acrylic roof. Not sure what the material is called but it has a top and bottom acrylic layer with some sort of cells in between (hard to describe really lol). It's also tinted and was fairly exy to buy (per sheet) but you can cut and install it yourself fairly easily. Will see if I can find out what it's called and get back to you... Re: Acrylic instead of glass for conservatory roof 4Jun 30, 2014 6:08 am You will need a uv treated acrylic otherwise it will break down rather quickly, crack and become unsafe. I build mine with a product supplied by PALRAM, it is a flat sheet polycarbonate that comes in a range of colours and tints and is uv treated, with a brilliant warranty. I have been using it for 12 years without any problems what-so-ever...And its not that expensive... steve@everlastpatios.com.au www.everlastpatios.com.au Re: Acrylic instead of glass for conservatory roof 5Jul 02, 2014 10:10 pm Thanks steve do you know any details like minimum thickness or other legal requirements? AFAIK, flashing is a minimum standard. Out of curiosity is your window glass stamped with AS requirements in any of the corners of each pane? Im almost certan if theyre… 2 6278 Hi Alex, Thanks for the reply again. I had a chat with the builder, he said he will use primer, then hydrotec which comes with colour and sealer as well. A Renderer I… 12 18098 Suggestions please for acrylic rendering Color to match austral brick urban one pepper. Pic for reference. Thanks 0 5071 |