FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Do Palram’s animal covering and cladding solutions have thermal insulation properties?
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All of Palram's animal covering & cladding solutions have superior thermal insulation properties compared to metal coverings.

AG-TUF®PALCLAD Pro – oldPALOPAQUE™ – old
How do I clean the polycarbonate?
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  • Never use abrasive or high alkaline cleaners on any Palram polycarbonate products.
  • Do not leave cleaners on Palram polycarbonate for extended periods of time. Rinse immediately with cold, clean water.
  • Do not apply cleaners in direct sunlight.
  • Never use sharp objects, squeegees or razors on polycarbonate.
  • Do not clean with gasoline.
  • Always practice safety first and never step directly on a polycarbonate panel.
  • Always test cleaners in a small inconspicuous area prior to cleaning the entire panel to ensure against adverse results.
  • Avoid allowing the pressure washer spray tip to come too close to the panel. Pressure washers often have enough pressure at the spray tip to penetrate or tear the panel.
  • Avoid dry cleaning as sand and dust particles clinging to the exterior of the panels may scratch the surface.

PALGARD® – oldPALSHIELD® – oldPALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – oldSUNTOP®Suntuf DIY – old
How do I combine profiled polycarbonate sheets (SUNTUF) with metal sheets?
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With Palram's MetalMatch technology, we can perfectly match almost any trapezoid industrial metal sheet and install SUNTUF as a homogeneous part of the roof.

SUNTOP®
How do I combine SUNTUF rooflights or sidelights with corrugated metal roofing?
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Palram's MetalMatch technology enables a precise match of corrugated SUNTUF to almost any industrial metal sheet. Contact your local Palram office for more details.

SUNTUF
How do I create a double skin glazing solution for façades and curtain walls?
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Flat solid or multiwall sheets can be glazed in double skin applications using standard aluminum curtain wall profiles and EPDM gaskets. The SUNPAL system can be installed in a double skin application with a special aluminum profile provided by Palram.

PALGARD® – oldPALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – old
How do I curve the polycarbonate to follow the façade curve?
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All Palram polycarbonate products can be cold bent onsite during installation, subject to a minimum radius. The radius varies based on the chosen product. For flat sheets such as PALSUN & SUNLITE, the rule-of-thumb for the minimum radius is the thickness multiplied by 200. Please check the Palram catalog for more detailed specifications.

PALGARD® – oldPALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – oldSUNTOP®Suntuf DIY – old
How do I design the secondary steel support spacings for roofing/siding?
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Palram created specific loading tables for each product. Please visit our website and download the specific catalog.

AG-TUF®PALGLAS® – oldPALSUN® – oldPALTOP™SUNGLAS™SUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – oldSUNTOP®Suntuf DIY – old
How do I determine the color, Light Transmission (LT) and haze properties of polycarbonate?
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This decision depends on the application – some of the colors are transparent and some are translucent. If a see-through material is needed, then haze should be smaller than 1% and the LT% should be based on the illumination design. If a translucent effect is needed, then the haze should be 100% and the LT% based on the chosen color.

PALGARD® – oldPALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – oldSuntuf DIY – old
How do I handle inkjet printable media before and after printing?
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Before: use a protected sheet with PE masking, store unused inkjet printable media in original packaging and in a clean area, and avoid touching the print side by handling the edges of the sheet or by using lint-free white gloves.

After: avoid any finishing until prints are completely dry, store the printed media in a clean environment, and avoid dust from sticking to the fresh cured ink.

PALBOARD – oldPALCLAD Pro – oldPALCLEAR® – oldPALGLAS® – oldPALIGHT® – oldPALOPAQUE™ – old
How do I install flat solid or multiwall polycarbonate sheets as skylights?
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Flat solid or multiwall polycarbonate sheets need to be installed with designated aluminum profiles when used as a skylight.

PALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – old
How do I install profiled polycarbonate sheets as a skylight?
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Profiled polycarbonate sheets are installed as a homogeneous part of the metal roof. For more information, please review Palram's installation instructions for the desired profile.

Suntuf DIY – old
How do I polish the edges of acrylic?
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Acrylic edges can be polished by heating them with a torch, blowing hot air on them, or rotating a brush with wax.

PALGLAS® – oldSUNGLAS™
How do I reduce the heat build-up coming from the façade into the building?
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In order to reduce heat build-up through the façade, Palram strongly recommends the use of its tinted SolarSmart™ panels. SolarSmart™ tints can be implemented in all Palram polycarbonate products. For more information, reference the Palram SolarSmart™ technology page.

PALGARD® – oldPALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – oldSuntuf DIY – old
How do I specify the required thickness of the polycarbonate glazing material?
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The recommended thickness of the polycarbonate glazing material is based on factors such as wind & snow load, panel size, and boundary conditions. Visit the Palram website for access to calculators that can help you determine the recommended thickness.

PALGARD® – oldPALSUN® – oldSUNGLAZE® – oldPrivate: SUNLITE® – oldSUNPAL® – oldSUNTOP®Suntuf DIY – old
How many side overlaps does SUNTUF or PALRUF corrugates roofing require?
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With a proper roof pitch, an overlap of one corrugation between sheets will keep the roof leak-safe, as long as the sheets are laid correctly.
Find the primary direction wind and rain are expected to come from and place the first sheet in the opposite direction. The next sheet will overlap the first, and so on. By doing so, you reduce the chance that water and dust will penetrate between the sheets.

SUNTUFSUNTUF BHSUNTUF DIYSUNTUF PlusPALRUF
How to accommodate SUNTUF polycarbonate roofing sheets’ thermal expansion
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Polycarbonate roofing sheets can accommodate thermal movement by following these guidelines:
Keep a small gap where the SUNTUF sheets meet another object. Sheets expand most along their length, so pay attention to this direction.
Pre-drill oversize holes around the fixings. In this way, the screws won't stress the sheets.
Polycarbonate ridge caps, wall connectors, and flashings should also be predrilled with oversized holes.
Applying foam tape along structural elements that come in contact with sheets will reduce friction noise.
Leave a 5cm-10cm overhang over the lower purlin.

EZ GlazeSUNTUFSUNTUF BHSUNTUF DIYSUNTUF PlusSUNTUF ZigZag
How to clean polycarbonate roofing?
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Here are some steps to clean your polycarbonate roofing sheets:
Remove any loose debris, such as leaves or twigs, from the sheets surface using a broom or leaf blower.
Dip a soft cloth or sponge into a bucket of warm water and gently scrub the sheets, working in small sections at a time.
Rinse the sheets thoroughly with water to remove any remaining dirt or soap suds.
Dry the sheets with a clean and soft cloth, or allow them to air dry.
Avoid using high-pressure water or a pressure washer. High pressure can damage the sheets' surface.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the sheets' surface. Before using a detergent, ensure it is polycarbonate-compliant.
If the sheets are particularly dirty or have stains that are difficult to remove, you may need to repeat the cleaning process a few times to get them fully clean.
In addition to cleaning the sheets, it is also worthwhile to regularly inspect the roofing for damage or wear.

SUNTUFSUNTUF DIYSUNTUF BHSUNTUF ZigZagEZ Glaze
How to CNC route solid plastic sheets?
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Regular, high-speed steel twist drills, or carbide-tipped drills are suitable for drilling holes in PALSUN sheets of various thicknesses, as long as they are sharpened well. They are used for bores up to 12 mm in diameter.
Larger holes may be drilled with flat, chisel edged drill blades with a triangular cutting tip, similar to those used in woodworking, kept sharp.
Rake angle should be about 5° to avoid side friction. They are used for bores from 12 to 20mm. Commercially available cutting cups or circle cutters of several types can be used for large round apertures.
Reduce the drill speed for large diameter holes or large gauge plastic sheets.
For detailed specifications and drilling tips and recommendations, look up the fabrication guide in the downloads section.

PALCLEARPALOPAQUEPALSUN
How to cold bend flat plastic sheets?
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Industrial plastic sheets can be cold bent or curved, within their minimal permitted bending radius, without damaging their mechanical performance. The minimal permitted bending radius for a plastic sheet is a factor of its thickness.
A simple way to calculate the allowed cold bend radius is to multiply the sheet's thickness by 200. For example, for a 5mm sheet the arch radius should not be less than 1000mm (5X200).

PALCLEARPALOPAQUEPALSUN
How to cut and trim SUNLITE multiwall polycarbonate sheets on-site?
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On-site tailoring and trimming of multiwall polycarbonate sheets is simple.
Follow these guidelines to ensure high-quality results.
Safety First: Protect yourself by using professional equipment, keeping your surroundings neat and tidy, and using tools with caution and care.
Place a piece of cardboard or plywood on the workbench under the polycarbonate sheet. This will protect the surface from scratches.
SUNLITE DIY sheets come with protective films. This film indicates which side of the panel is UV-protected. Do not remove it. You will need it later.
Measure the sheet, make pen marks at each end, and join the marks with a ruler.
Do not rush measuring and marking. You cannot patch the sheets together once they've been trimmed.
Secure the sheet to the workbench surface to prevent movement and vibrations.
Support the sheet near the cutting line by placing a timber plank on top of it, parallel to the markings.
Cut one sheet at a time.
Advance the saw slowly and steadily and do not stop once you have begun. It will ensure a clean, consistent edge.
Clean the sheet’s channels with compressed air.
Remove leftover cuts and scraps from the cutting table.

SUNLITESUNLITE DIY