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Technical Note on use of Clear PVC

Clear PVC Panels enhance the use of any structure. However, the Clear PVC used to give the visibility is not as strong or stable as the white PVC fabric.

Precautions are necessary to ensure a safe and durable structure.

IMPORTANT DISCLAMER

Our clear products are manufactured using an unsupported clear PVC. The lack of reinforcement within the fabric makes it dimensionally unstable and likely to change shape as the environmental and weather conditions change. The buyer or user assumes all responsibility for the loss or damage resulting from the dimensional instability inherent in the use and handling of clear PVC panels.

Custom Covers (1984) Ltd will also not accept responsibility due to the failure or unacceptable performance of the clear panels due to improper or inadequate maintenance of fabric tensioning, failure due to improper storage, cleaning, dimensional change or other environmental factors.

Care of clear panels will give longer service and it is recommended that they are always stored dry and are better rolled rather than folded.

It is recommended that clear panels be hand washed in soapy water no hotter than 20°C. Never use any cleaning agents containing solvents or strong alkalis. Washing liquids should have a PH value of 7. Do not use excess heat to dry these products.

PVC roof panels that are not maintained taut are prone to pond. This tension needs to be applied at the initial fitting and then re-tensioned 24 hours after this. Roofs should be checked and re-tensioned at regular intervals during the use of the panel. The frequency will depend on the weather conditions, with hot and windy conditions needing more frequent checks.

It is also vital to ensure that no ponding is allowed to start. Once the fabric has stretched it will not return to its original size.

For roof panels of 20m upwards we recommend using a thicker 0.75mm clear PVC as the strength is slightly higher.

The manufacturer’s specification for Clear PVC indicates that it can be subject to shrinkage, which can be as much as 4%, and be particularly bad in cold weather. If installing in cold weather, it is necessary to ensure the clear panels are warm and supple before unfolding and fitting.

The chemicals that provide uv stability and plasticisers that keep the fabric supple are not clear and so they are minimised in clear fabrics. This means that the lifespan of clear fabric will be shorter than other fabrics and will suffer the effects of uv degregration more rapidly.

It should also be noted that at a microscopic level PVC fabrics are not homogeneous surfaces. Water vapour can get into the fabrics making them look foggy. Exposure to heat and light will drive this vapour off returning the windows to their normal clarity.

12m clear gable end