Help attaching plexiglass/lexan panels to patio cover.

idolslave

I have an existing 16' x 12' patio cover made of crisscrossing beams/joists, spaced 48" OC. I want to install 48" x 48" glass, plexiglass or lexan panels on to the wood beams to make a clear, waterproof outdoor cover. (I want to use flat panels, NOT multi-wall or corrugated.)

Has anyone had experience with glass, plexi or polycarb panels on a patio roof? Haven't determined which material is best suited.

Are there any suggestions for attaching them? I see all sorts of bracket systems to attach polycarb multi-wall panels, but nothing for a 1/8" to 1/4" flat sheet.
I've considered using wood screws, silicone sealant and wood strips to cap it, but I'm concerned with plastic expansion and water runoff.

Thank you.

Windows on Wash

I think the idea of waterproof in a home engineered system might be shooting for the stars.

You can certainly make is water resistant but even engineered conservatory roof systems can leak.

Doing this in a DIY capacity is going to be tough and potentially unsuccessful. Have you considered just roofing it in and putting in a few skylights?

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joecaption

I agree 100%. It would be a very expencive mistake.
The spans are to wide to use a thin flexable material like that, Plexaglass crazes, and yellows.
Lexan is very expencive.
Just trying to use caulking to seal it is just going to crack and leak.

idolslave

Thanks for the advice and I think you guys are probably right. The last thing I want to do is spend that kind of time and money only to have it fail on me. I hadn't considered the roofing with skylight. I may look into that.