For years people would use something like this:
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| Basic Pup Tent |
In the 80's and 90's the big trend was something more like this:
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| Basic Gazebo |
Which definitely was a big improvement from the tent (and of course the tent still has its natural applications).
But what we have at Family Leisure that is the "new" stuff that is really trending fast is a material called polycarbonate which is defined here:
Properties and processing
Polycarbonate is a very durable material. Although it has high
impact-resistance, it has low scratch-resistance and so a hard coating
is applied to polycarbonate eyewear lenses and polycarbonate exterior automotive components. The characteristics of polycarbonate are quite like those of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger, usable in a wider temperature range and more expensive. This polymer is highly transparent to visible light and has better light transmission characteristics than many kinds of glass.
Polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature of about 150 °C (302 °F), so it softens gradually above this point and flows above about 300 °C (572 °F). Tools must be held at high temperatures, generally above 80 °C (176 °F) to make strain- and stress-free products. Low molecular mass
grades are easier to mold than higher grades, but their strength is
lower as a result. The toughest grades have the highest molecular mass,
but are much more difficult to process.
Unlike most thermoplastics, polycarbonate can undergo large plastic
deformations without cracking or breaking. As a result, it can be
processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques, such as forming bends on a brake.
Even for sharp angle bends with a tight radius, no heating is generally
necessary. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where
transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, which
cannot be made from sheet metal. Note that PMMA/Plexiglas, which is similar in appearance to polycarbonate, is brittle and cannot be bent at room temperature.
Main transformation techniques for polycarbonate resins:
- extrusion into tubes, rods and other profiles
- extrusion with cylinders into sheets (0.5–15 mm (0.020–0.59 in)) and films (below 1 mm (0.039 in)), which can be used directly or manufactured into other shapes using thermoforming or secondary fabrication techniques, such as bending, drilling, routing, laser cutting etc.
- injection molding into ready articles
I'm not entirely sure what all of this means, but I can tell you it looks like this!!!!! As you can see it sits right on top of the pergola offering the maximum amount of shade without taking away from the pergola structure. It protects the folks underneath it from the rain, offers shade, and looks great!
Come check it out at Family Leisure!
