Pole Barn - Clear (Polycarbonite?) panels?

[bdk1976]

I'm redoing the siding on a pole barn with 16' walls and am thinking about putting clear panels at the top of the side walls to help with interior lighting during the daytime.

I'm thinking about using clear polycarbonite panels such as suntuf - anyone use these? Any pros/cons?

Also trying to decide how high the clear panels should be. I'm thinking 2-3 feet?

 

[rayra]

I think that's a great idea. I did it with a small shed build in the mountains, saved me running power lines in very boulder-filled 'soil'. Really let a great deal of light in and where I had them direct sunlight couldn't even reach them.

I used 1/4" lexan, set loosely in a saw-cut channel in the sill and header. And being up under a 1' overhang and backed up to a wall / fence, never had any trouble with water.

And I made wood frames from plank scrap and stapled screen mesh on them to fill in the gaps between rafters, for ventilation. ON both front and back. Got a good crossflow / convection. With the simple slope of the roof it actually stayed only a couple degrees above ambient.

 

[readhead]

Light panels are probably avaliable for your panel profile. They aren't clear but the opaque panels diffuse the light and provide better overall lighting. They install just like a metal sheet. Call your metal supplier and ask about them.

 

[MagKarl]

Mine are like readhad describes, about the color of a milk jug and have the same profile as the siding.

 

[bdk1976]

Thanks for the input - I actually hope to go and check out a couple of metal suppliers this next week or so. So far I've been fixing up and redoing some of the girts. It's an existing building that is only partially enclosed and I'm hoping to find the same profile/color for siding (It's probably around 20 years old and was here before we bought the place). If not I'll have to end up replacing at least part of the siding to get it to match (not a huge deal but I'd prefer not to if possible).

I'd like to try and find the same profile in clear/translucent as well, but I'm thinking if I can't, I'll just have to use some trim to separate the solid/clear panels.

 

[gazza]

I have 6 lengths of clear polycarb in my roof, its great to work under them every day no lights on at all. It can get a bit hot during the hot summer and I do tend to work around the direct sun beam in the shed, if I did it again I would consider using a smoke tint or an opal version.
On your use I think it would be better to use the clear on the tops of the wall. Which way do your walls face?, is your wall in direct sunlight during the day?
If you google search for your location you can find what angle the sun shines in during the summer (ours is 79*) and the winter, do you need to work in this area during the summer? Winter angle is good because you can see how far the direct sunlight goes into your shed during the day.
Just some food for thought.