Windbreaks offer a great way to enjoy your garden, veranda, canopy or balcony for longer. There are various types of windbreaks, so there is something for everyone. For example, if you want more privacy, choosing a solid coloured or tinted windbreak is a good idea. But there are also several clear materials and variants available for those who want to preserve their beautiful view.
Whatever you choose, you simply order the new windbreak to size at Plasticsheetsshop. So all you have to do is mount the windbreak when it arrives!
These sheets are suitable for use as a veranda windbreak. You can choose from various materials. All these materials are suitable to use as a veranda windbreak. So whether you want to create more privacy with a closed veranda windbreak, or maintain your view with a transparent one, there is always a suitable veranda windbreak for your needs!
There are many options for installing your veranda windbreak. You will find more images for inspiration below.
By placing a windbreak where wind and rain usually enters, will reduce the wind’s impact. Windbreaks can be made of wood as well as plastic. People also sometimes use plants or rollable cloth as protection against rain or wind.
There are acrylic windbreaks, polycarbonate windbreaks, HPL windbreaks, and so on. Other materials such as glass or tarpaulin are also used as windbreaks. Below are all the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of windbreaks.
| Windbreak | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Stronger and safer than glass - 20+ colours and finishes - Light weight | Can be scratched |
| Polycarbonate | Stronger and safer than glass/acrylic - 20+ colours and finishes - Light weight | Can be scratched |
| HPL/Trespa® | Solid material - 10+ colours - No painting required | Not light weight - Difficult to process |
| Glass | Luxurious appearance - Ideal as a permanent windbreak | Can be destroyed if hit - Pricey - Difficult to process |
| Sail cloth | Cheap - Simple assembly | Makes a lot of noise |
| Roll-up | Easy to roll up | Non-transparent - Makes a lot of noise |
| Moveable | Own choice of material - Movable on demand | Takes up a lot of space |
The plastics; Acrylic, polycarbonate and HPL are the most suitable plastics to use as a windbreak. Acrylic and polycarbonate are available in clear and tinted versions in various colours. HPL is a dense material that is also available in different colours.
Note: Plastics can melt or deform if they get too hot. So be careful with fireplaces, fires or patio heaters. Acrylic can withstand temperatures up to 80 ⁰C, HPL up to 100 ⁰C and polycarbonate even up to 120 ⁰C. This material also expands with heat, so make sure they have enough room to move and don’t tighten screws too tightly.
Below is more information on the materials; acrylic, polycarbonate and HPL.
When you have decided where you want to place the windbreak, it is time to measure the desired dimensions. Once you have the correct dimensions, it is time to see which material and thickness best suits your situation and requirements. Have you found your ideal sheet? In the order module on each sheet’s product page, simply enter the dimensions you have measured.
Did you know that it is also possible to add drill holes and cut-outs when ordering? That saves you time and work! If you are looking for a special shape windbreak, it is also possible to upload a DXF file. Please note our drawing rules.
Using the table below, you can easily choose the right thickness for your new windbreak. As you can see, the best thickness depends on the material and the dimensions of the windbreak. In the table, we assume that the sheet will be mounted on three sides, with the two longest sides being fixed.
Proper mounting is very important for a windbreak, whatever thickness you choose. This is because a windbreak has to withstand a lot of wind force. When mounting, however, take into account the shrinkage and expansion of the material. This is because the sheets can deform, so they need some room to move.
| Longest side up to 1 metre | Longest side up to 1.5 metres | Longest side up to 2 metres | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPL/Trespa® | 6 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm |
| Polycarbonate | 4 mm | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Acrylic | 8 mm | 10 mm | 12 mm |
There are various ways to mount a windbreak. More information about each mounting method is given below.
• Mounting the windbreak with screws
If you choose to mount the windbreak with screws, it is advisable to have us drill holes in the sheet when you order it. You can easily add these drill holes when ordering on the product page. Always ensure that the drill holes provide some space for the screws. Then place the nylon washers between the sheet and the (wooden) frame. This gives the sheet room to expand and contract in hot or cold weather.
• Windbreak assembly with toggles
A windbreak with toggles has the advantage that the windbreak is very easy to remove. But use insulating tape between the frame and the sheet to give it some room to shrink and expand. Please note: toggles are suitable for 4 mm thick sheets. Polycarbonate in combination with toggles is sufficiently strong to secure a windbreak up to about one metre in size.
• Mounting the windbreak with U profiles
When using U profiles, place the sheets not on, but between the vertical beams of your veranda. To prevent damage and the windbreak from rattling, it is advisable to place foam tape between the profile and the sheet. This also allows the sheet to expand and shrink with temperature changes.
• Windbreak frame mounting
A windbreak can also be installed as a window. To do this, make a wooden frame and place your windbreak in it. You can even make a plastic window frame that opens.
Note! Whichever way you mount your windbreak, secure at least both long sides and one short side. This ensures that your construction is solid.
Maintaining a windbreak is very simple. Just clean it when it gets dirty with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. When cleaning plastic, you always want to be careful not to use abrasive or aggressive agents. This can cause scratches.
Tip: Rinse your windbreak with water before cleaning to remove any grains of sand or other small abrasive particles.
