Fixings
The fastening touch for translucent sheeting
The fixing of translucent sheeting in the form of polycarbonate, fibre glass or plastic can often be a cumbersome task, or, if the correct fastening procedures aren’t followed the result could be cracked sheeting or cladding.
Due to the relatively high expansion and contraction factor of translucent sheeting a pilot hole with a diameter at least 1mm greater than the screw diameter should be drilled through the sheeting. If a self tapping screw is used to fix the sheeting, a second (smaller diameter) hole then has to be drilled through the steel purlin before the screw can be driven into the purlin. This would require two or three operators using two drilling machines and one electric screwdriver – a time consuming, labour intensive and expensive way of fixing the sheeting
A new fastener is now available in South Africa that will make the fixing of translucent sheeting to steel purlins a one step operation.
The new polycarbonate / fibre glass self drilling screw will drill through the sheeting and steel purlin; the thread will tap its own thread into the steel purlin; the reaming wings above the thread will ream a larger diameter hole through the sheeting and finally the screw will fasten the sheeting and provide a watertight seal with a pre-assembled galvanised BAZ EPDM washer. The new fasteners are available in two lengths i.e. 50mm and 75mm for use on corrugated and I.B.R profiles.
Sheeting Direct also offer a full range of fixings for steel pierce sheeting aswell as wood fix, These may need to be special ordered.