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How to Install Palram’s EZ Glaze® Roofing Panels Like a Pro

Posted in DIY/Outdoor Living
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By Jeramy Albert, Retail Business Unit Manager

Whether you’re building the ultimate backyard patio, a carport, or upgrading your deck, the right roofing solution is essential to transforming your outdoor space into something truly exceptional.

Designed for performance and aesthetics, our EZ Glaze™ polycarbonate panels deliver the modern look of glass with none of the drawbacks. At 3X the thickness of our standard SUNTUF® sheets, these virtually unbreakable panels are half the weight of glass yet engineered to withstand heavy impacts and harsh weather. With a built-in edge corrugation that cleanly overlaps rafters, EZ Glaze can be installed directly onto 24-inch centers or over purlins, simplifying your construction process without compromising durability.

In this step-by-step installation guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need—from tools and fastener spacing to structural layout tips. Plus, we’ve included clear visuals and expert insights to ensure your project is not just done, but done right.

🧰 What you’ll need to install EZ Glaze Panels

Before you fire up the drill and start laying panels down, here’s your safety, tools, and materials checklist:

Recommended Safety Equipment

  1. Ear protection
  2. Eye protection
  3. Gloves

Tools

  1. Circular saw or jigsaw
  2. Drill & an electric screwdriver
  3. Ladder
  4. Measuring tape

Materials/Accessories

  • Foam tape
  • Wood screws with ¾” EPDM washers
  • Butyl sealing tape (not supplied by Palram)
  • Silicone sealer (polycarbonate-safe, not provided by Palram)
  • Metal flashing (not provided by Palram)
  • Aluminum angle (not provided by Palram)
  • Side wall flashing (not provided by Palram)
  • Ridge cap
  • Head wall flashing

🧱 Get Your Structure Ready/Additional Prep Info

EZ Glaze is designed to be easy to work with, but the following points should be accounted for before starting your install:

  • Minimum roof slope: 5% pitch ensures proper water runoff — a 0.6″ rise for every 12″ of horizontal run.
  • Rafter spacing: 24″ on center.
  • Purlin spacing: Max 48″, depending on your snow/wind load. (see chart below)
  • Panel overlap: You can’t overlap EZ Glaze end-to-end.
  • Panel Install Direction: For 10 panels or fewer, start from one end and go across. For more than 10, start at the center and work outward for perfect alignment.

🔨 Let’s Install the Panels — Step by Step

Apply foam tape across all rafters where the panels will sit.

This cushions the connection and reduces movement, providing a flexible connection between the panel and rafter.

Apply foam tape across all rafters where the panels will sit.

This cushions the connection and reduces movement, providing a flexible connection between the panel and rafter.

Install the first EZ glaze panel on the rafters, leaving 1″ – 3″ overhang.

Drill 3/8″ holes along the outer corrugation, every 16″.

Holes should be located 1.5″ – 2″ from the rafter’s top and bottom edges.

Attach the first panel’s outer corrugation to the rafter using specified screws with EPDM washers through the pre-drilled holes.

Start from the bottom edge and work your way up. Snug is good — overtightening is not.

Overlap the wider corrugation edge of the second panel over the narrow side of the first panel.

Pre-drill 3/8″ holes through both panels at the overlap.

Fasten with the same screws.

Using specified fasteners, attach the second panel to the structure by fastening through the pre-drilled holes. Start at the bottom edge and work your way up like in Step 3.

Repeat Steps 4 & 5 (the overlap, drill, & fasten process) panel-by-panel until your roof is covered.

Be sure to remove the protective film from both sides of each panel right after installation is complete — waiting too long can make it a pain to peel off.

To waterproof the top edge, apply butyl tape where flashing or ridge caps will sit.

Want it to look pro from below? Hide the tape by installing a wood blocking strip along the butyl line.

Pre-drill 3/8″ holes through panel + flashing

Secure flashing to the structure.

Seal as needed with silicone.

(Optional Step)

Trim panels to fit cleanly.

Use aluminum angles and flashing to close off the sides.

Apply butyl tape and seal with silicone.

(Optional Step)

If applying silicone, you must use UV-resistant silicone suitable for polycarbonate.

(Follow below if your design has a ridge)

Pre-drill 3/8″ holes through ridge & panel.

Fasten securely.

Use blocking under the ridge to hide the tape line from view.

Extra Finishing Details Visual (flashing & accessories, etc)

🛠️ Final Checks & Pro Tips

Before you call it done, run through this quick mental checklist:

  • Are all panels tight but not overtightened?
  • Flashing sealed at all corners and overlaps?
  • No end-to-end panel overlaps?
  • Protective film removed?

📎 Extra Resources

💬 Final Thoughts

Look — this install isn’t rocket science, but like anything worth building, it pays to follow the guidelines for a worry-free finish.

Take your time. Line it up. Tape it tight. Flash it clean.

Whether you’re using our panels for a client, building your dream backyard, or are just tired of replacing brittle panels from your last job, this install gives outdoor spaces the finishing touch they need.

Want to see where you can buy EZ Glaze panels online? See here.

To see where you can purchase EZ Glaze at a retail location near you, click here.

About Palram Americas

Palram Americas is an end-to-end, state-of-the-art thermoplastics manufacturer based in the Lehigh Valley, PA. For over 60 years, Palram has provided high-quality polycarbonate & PVC solutions used in countless markets spanning construction and architecture, sign and display, agriculture, safety & security, transportation, DIY, and outdoor living.

Whether you’re a contractor, fabricator, designer, architect, printer, or even a homeowner interested in DIY projects, Palram’s range of polycarbonate and PVC solutions will help transform your vision into reality.

To learn more about Palram’s home & outdoor living panel & sheet products, see here.

To sign up for Palram’s Panel Pros Contractor Rewards program to help you save money long-term on roof panel installs, download here.

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