Frequently Asked Questions
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Delivery and pick up details
Click here for delivery schedules. 90% of our orders arrive within 5 working days, however some delays are out of our control.
We’ll do our best though!
Some products come from different suppliers.
We don't get a tracking number for most products as our deliveries can't go on a normal courier (they're too large).
However, if you want an update on your order feel free to get in touch!
You can contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 047 866.
You may not have to be there. For most products we can pass on any special delivery instructions to the freight company so they can leave it in a safe place for you.
Someone will generally need to be there to help the driver for sheets over 4.0m long, or for any Crystalite sheets.
About Sunnyside
We are available by appointment at our Auckland store or Rangiora showroom Monday to Saturday. Please call us on the phone number listed before you come.
Note, not all products are available for pick up.
Profiled polycarbonate (e.g. corrugated)
They don't look too different. However, the Suncover has a 0.04mm UV protective coating and the Laserlite 1000 has a 0.06mm coating.
This is why Laserlite 1000 has a 25 year warranty and Suncover has 10.
The actual thickness of the sheets are the same (0.8mm).
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer. It is very strong, flexible and does not shatter. It also has a UV protective coating applied to it giving protection from the sun.
PVC is very cheap to produce however it goes brittle quickly and will generally only last a couple of years. This is because it's usually only UV stabilised, not UV protected.
Click here to view a comparison between polycarbonate, FRP and PVC.
Clear polycarbonate lets maximum light through, and also maximum heat. Grey tint lets through the lowest amount of light and mid-level heat reduction.
Opal blocks the most heat, but still lets filtered light through. You can't see through the opal.
If you’re expecting to have regular debris on the roof (due to e.g. overhanging trees), the bronze or grey tint will hide this better.
If you have a structure you want to be light at some times and darker at others, it is best to go for clear or opal sheeting and use a shade sail or sun umbrella underneath it when shade is desired.
Suntuf polycarbonate sheets are distributed by PSP and can be found in Bunnings Warehouse. They have a 25 year loss of light and 15 year performance warranty.
Solasafe clear roofing is distributed by Ampelite and is found in Mitre 10 Mega. They have a 10 year warranty.
Most polycarbonate roofing products available in NZ have similar characteristics. Watch out for unbranded ones that haven’t been sold in NZ for at least 10 years though. The key differences are the level of UV protection. Generally, sheets with a 10 year warranty are the common entry-level sheets. Sheets with a longer warranty will have a thicker UV protective coating.
As far as Suncover and Laserlite 1000 goes:
- Suncover is equivalent to Solasafe. Both have a 10 year warranty.
- Laserlite 1000 is equivalent to the Suntuf. Both have a 15 year performance and 25 year light warranty.
You’ll probably need fasteners which are specifically for polycarbonate roofing.
We also stock accessories: noise stop tape to stop creaking due to temperature change, foam infill to stop wind or debris going in-between the sheets and the purlins and we stock flashings.
If you don’t know what accessories you need, feel free to contact us, we’re happy to help.
Yes, the corrugated profile has the same wave length and pitch, and runs easily into coloursteel.
We also have Greca and 5-Rib profiles. The 5-Rib matches Styleline, T-Rib, or Trimdek.
All colours block out 99.5% of harmful UV rays for SUNCOVER and 99.9% for LASERLITE 1000. This is because the UV protection is applied to the top side of the sheet, and has nothing to do with the colouring in the sheet.
It’s important to ensure the sheet is installed with the UV coating facing upwards towards the sun.
The Twinwall has UV protection both sides, so either side can go towards the sun.
The profiled polycarbonate has UV protection on one side only. This will be clearly marked with a sticker and writing on the sheet.
Custom Glaze can only be installed one way, with the interlocking ridges facing up.
Single walled sheets (such as corrugated) are similar to single glazing.
Condensation is caused when warm air collides with cold surfaces. So if the sheets are cold and the air inside is warm (i.e. you have it installed in a sun-room or similar) you will get condensation on the inside.
The only way to stop this is to ensure that the temperature under the sheets is the same as the temperature outside, by using adequate ventilation.
The Twinwall product is insulated (like double glazing), it reduces the chances of getting condensation. So it's more suitable for enclosed areas.
You can use a sponge or very soft brush with soapy water or detergent. It is very easy to scratch so don't use any hard bristles or brooms.
It's also not recommended to waterblast it.
Some household cleaners will adversely affect the polycarbonate. The following may be suitable (please check with the manufacturer/retailer first):
- 30 Seconds Roof Treatment
- Wet & Forget Moss, Mould, Lichen & Algae Remover
Yes! We've had lots of customers using it for a greenhouse.
Whilst it blocks UV within a certain wavelength, it still allows the necessary light and heat through for plants to grow.
The most common products are corrugated clear and opal, and Twinwall clear and opal.
No. It's nice to have them installed at 610mm to hide the joins, but they don't have to be at that distance.
The purlins (going cross ways) are the ones actually supporting the sheets, and they need to be at 1500mm apart.
Custom Glaze also works best on steeper pitches. 5 degrees is the minimum but we recommend more if possible. This is because the flat part of the sheet is still flexible, and can pool water on shallower pitches.
No. Plenty of customers have used different joining systems, such as aluminium, or existing systems they're just replacing the sheets on.
The sheets need to be supported every 600mm for 6mm and 800mm for 8mm.
You can also use our ClearSpan or EconGlaze joining system.
It’s a good idea to check the sheets before installing, to ensure that they’re exactly square. If they’re out of square, they can start to run off or end up being on a slight angle on the structure.
An easy way to do this is to take the top sheet off the pile, flip it over onto its back, and place it back on the pile. If both the top and bottom edges still line up with the rest of the sheets, then all sheets are square.
Yes! Polycarbonate is one of the easiest plastics to recycle. This is because it’s a thermoplastic and can effectively be melted down and reused multiple times. There are also no emissions when it’s made, as it’s made from pellets that are melted and squashed into shape.
Although most thermoplastics can and should be recycled, not all councils or recyclers accept all of these plastics. Polycarbonate plastic falls in the recycling code number 7, and some councils reject types 3 to 7 as they are less popular for recycling. You can learn more about it in this guide.
In summary:
Plastic
Plastic can be one of the most confusing materials to identify for recycling. Essentially, most thermoplastics can and should be recycled. You can also download a guide to these codes. It is critical you are aware that not all councils or recyclers accept all of these plastics. Some reject types 3 to 7 as they are less popular for recycling.
What are thermoplastic plastics?
Thermoplastics are permanently fusible and can be melted down and recycled. The reason why thermoplastics melt down so easily is because the molecules have a relatively weak attraction between the chains of molecules. Thermoplastic resins have molecules that are generally not cross-linked, meaning, the resin can be repeatedly melted and reused. Usually, no chemical change occurs when thermoplastic is cured. Thermoplastic resin usually starts out in solid pellet form, and changes shape with the addition of heat and pressure. Thermoplastic polymers are more widely used because of their flexibility, so there are more of them.
Features of thermoplastic resins:
Pros
High Impact Strength
Attractive Surface Finish
Recyclable / Scrap is Reusable
No Emissions
Can bond to other thermoplastics
Can be molded or shaped with reheat
Cons
Generally softens with heat
More difficult to prototype
Our standard profiled polycarbonate roofing can hold over 200kg per m2 of roofing.
The main thing is that the structure underneath can support it. Usually with snow prone areas you’ll put the purlins at 600mm apart, or even closer depending on area. The steeper the structure the better, so the snow can run off by itself.
This is an important question. Some chemicals can affect polycarbonate immediately upon contact, so you don’t want to ruin your new roof without finding out what you can use on it!
Polycarbonate is affected by methylated spirits,benzene, petrol, ketones, acetone, phenols, chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum-based paints, abrasive cleaners and solvents. These may lead to ‘chemical attack’.
Chemical attack can include colour change & whitening. These effects may not always lead to product failure, but they will change and / or reduce the mechanical properties. The most critical effect of chemical attack is stress corrosion, cracking, or crazing, which may or may not be visible to the naked eye. Stress cracks will always result in product failure. You can read more in this guide on the Australian Laserlite website.
This depends on a number of factors, and it’s best to check with your local council before commencing work. As a general rule, you can build a covered structure of up to 20m2 without needing a consent or permit, but there are restrictions on this!
You can find out more in this article on Auckland general building projects. Auckland Council has also just released a new ‘decision tool’ online to help you figure out whether you need consent.
The Laserlite 1000 5-Rib is better for low pitched roofs.
This is because it has a higher ridge on the joins, so less chance of water coming up and in-between the joins or fasteners.
Yes. There's a diagram on the installations instructions here.
For curved structures, the maximum purlin spacing should be 750mm and a minimum radius of 6000mm for the corrugated profile.
This basically means that if you have the sheet sitting flat, you can raise the centre by:
3.6m sheet – 200mm
4.2m sheet – 400mm
4.8m sheet – 600mm
6.0m sheet – 800mm
Custom Glaze
No. It's nice to have them installed at 610mm to hide the joins, but they don't have to be at that distance.
The purlins (going cross ways) are the ones actually supporting the sheets, and they need to be at 1500mm apart.
Custom Glaze also works best on steeper pitches. 5 degrees is the minimum but we recommend more if possible. This is because the flat part of the sheet is still flexible, and can pool water on shallower pitches.
Twinwall sheets
Clear polycarbonate lets maximum light through, and also maximum heat. Grey tint lets through the lowest amount of light and mid-level heat reduction.
Opal blocks the most heat, but still lets filtered light through. You can't see through the opal.
If you’re expecting to have regular debris on the roof (due to e.g. overhanging trees), the bronze or grey tint will hide this better.
If you have a structure you want to be light at some times and darker at others, it is best to go for clear or opal sheeting and use a shade sail or sun umbrella underneath it when shade is desired.
The Twinwall has UV protection both sides, so either side can go towards the sun.
The profiled polycarbonate has UV protection on one side only. This will be clearly marked with a sticker and writing on the sheet.
Custom Glaze can only be installed one way, with the interlocking ridges facing up.
Single walled sheets (such as corrugated) are similar to single glazing.
Condensation is caused when warm air collides with cold surfaces. So if the sheets are cold and the air inside is warm (i.e. you have it installed in a sun-room or similar) you will get condensation on the inside.
The only way to stop this is to ensure that the temperature under the sheets is the same as the temperature outside, by using adequate ventilation.
The Twinwall product is insulated (like double glazing), it reduces the chances of getting condensation. So it's more suitable for enclosed areas.
Yes! We've had lots of customers using it for a greenhouse.
Whilst it blocks UV within a certain wavelength, it still allows the necessary light and heat through for plants to grow.
The most common products are corrugated clear and opal, and Twinwall clear and opal.
No. Plenty of customers have used different joining systems, such as aluminium, or existing systems they're just replacing the sheets on.
The sheets need to be supported every 600mm for 6mm and 800mm for 8mm.
You can also use our ClearSpan or EconGlaze joining system.
You can use any screw suitable for outdoor applications to screw the H-joiner to the rafters / studs (for a wall). Usually a pan head or button head works best as they have a nice flat head on them. Normal roofing screws for the joiner would be fine too, as long as the head fits inside the middle channel of the joiner.
For screwing the Twinwall on, just drill a larger hole (10-12mm) before putting the specific Twinwall screws in (these have an aluminium washer and a neoprene washer underneath. They’re usually slightly bigger than standard roofing screws). The screws used for polycarbonate don’t work on Twinwall. The cutters tend to get jammed up in the double wall, and the washers are too flexible for a flat surface.
Solid flat glazing panels
The Crystalite and Astariglas are both acrylic products. These generally work out cheaper than polycarbonate, and are more resistant to chemicals.
However, acrylic does not generally meet fire rating requirements for commercial buildings. So for a commercial building you will most likely need to use UGS polycarbonate.
The Crystalite comes in narrower, longer sheets up to 6m.
The Astariglas comes in wider, shorter sheets up to 3m.
Acrylic and polycarbonate are both transparent thermoplastics. They have many similarities, but also some key differences:
- Strength: Polycarbonate is generally stronger than acrylic. It is more impact-resistant and can withstand higher levels of force and pressure without cracking or breaking. This makes it a popular choice for applications where durability is a primary concern.
- Clarity: Acrylic is generally slightly clearer and more transparent than polycarbonate. It has a higher refractive index, which means that it allows more light to pass through it and can produce more vibrant colors.
- Fire Rating: Generally acrylic won't meet fire rating standards for commercial buildings, only polycarbonate will.
- Chemical Resistance: Acrylic is more resistant to chemicals and solvents than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate can be damaged by some chemicals, including some cleaning products and fuels.
- Price: Acrylic is generally less expensive than polycarbonate, making it a more cost-effective option for some applications.
Both acrylic and polycarbonate have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs of the application.
It depends on the size and wind zone.
Here's a table showing wind speeds and thickness required.
If your longest edge is less than 1m, a 3mm sheet will be suitable for winds up to 40km/h, a 4.5mm sheet for up to 80km/h, and a 6mm sheet for over that.
If your longest edge is more than 1m, a 4.5mm sheet will be suitable for winds up to 30km/h, a 6mm for up to 40km/h, an 8mm for up to 60km/h, a 10mm for up to 80km/h, and a 12mm sheet for over that.
Outdoor blinds
This is not usually too much of an issue. You may need to get the fabric cut slightly narrower to account for any part of the structure that gets narrower as it rolls down.
If that’s the case, let us know the measurement of the roll (where it will be installed at the top), and the narrowest measurement that the fabric needs to be, so it doesn’t catch on anything as it rolls down.
Feel free to contact us to discuss.
Aside from colours, there are a few other options you can choose when ordering.
For custom sizes, order the closest size up. E.g. if you need 2140mm wide and 1830mm drop, order 2500mm wide by 2000mm drop.
You can then put the exact sizes you need in the ‘order notes’ section when you checkout.
Other options to put in the order notes:
- Crank handle to be left or right, as you look from inside out. This is where you will be raising and lowering it from. Think about where you’ll most likely have furniture or other items, you want to keep it clear of those.
- Awning to roll from the back or front, as you look from inside out (back roll is most common, i.e. rolling out closest to the outside). Think of it like a toilet roll. Do you want it rolling off the back or the front?
- If necessary, we also have a metal flashing available to go along the exposed edge of the roll. This is if it’s fixed and exposed to the weather, the flashing will protect the rolled up fabric/PVC and the unit.