Waterproof but transparent material

[Trainee Engineering]

Hi all,

I'd like to know what is the most transparent material that;s waterproof, but not as brittle as glass. I want to put a "roofing" on a section in my balcony where I usually hang my clothes to dry and disinfect them under the sun, but I don't want to run all the way up everytime it rains. and the reason for "not brittle as glass" is that some times (not often), we have hails, ice cubes raining down from the sky.

thanks

 

[Vanadium 50]

Lucite, perhaps?

 

[BillTre]

Corrugated or multiwall polycarbonate sheets are often used for this. They can be obtained from large hardware type stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.).

WRT disinfecting, Polycarbonate passes UV, lucite (plexiglas) does not.

 

[Trainee Engineering]

Corrugated or multiwall polycarbonate sheets are often used for this. They can be obtained from large hardware type stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.).

WRT disinfecting, Polycarbonate passes UV, lucite (plexiglas) does not.

thanks for the reply. but I read that polycarbonate distort and degrade under constant exposure to the elements. and sometimes, they also yellow overtime. is this true?
thanks

 

[Tom.G]

Tempered glass, as used in autombile windows and in skylights in buildings.

 

[BillTre]

I read that polycarbonate distort and degrade under constant exposure to the elements. and sometimes, they also yellow overtime. is this true?

I had some outside for a few (3 or 4) years covering a large fish tank. I don't recall it yellowing or distorting. I did have it on a frame however.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

You might be better off building something that you can draw out for when it does rain. Even if you put something permanent up, you are still blocking some air flow to your laundry when the protection isn't needed. And it won't look very nice.

Why can't you just go and pin them on a clothes line outside? I was helping with this on the lower lines when I was, like, at least 5/6 years old. You can make a secret hiding spot from others using sheets. When it starts sprinkling, just start running and jerking the clothes off the line. If it's close to your living quarters, then it would be quicker than that. Any quicker and you are better off getting a dryer.

 

[RogueOne]

Clear plexiglass would work fine for that.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

Clear plexiglass would work fine for that.

Isn't that the same thing as Lucite?

 

[BillTre]

Poly(methyl methacrylate) = Acrylic = the trade names (lucite = plexiglas = Prespex = Acrylite)

polycarboante = Lexan (trade name)
polycarbnonate is stronger and light passes through it better, but is made with and could release bisphenol A.

 

[the professor]

1. how large is this area ? 2. how many days of sunshine -time duration-sun angles 3. slope angle off roof 4.humidity-temp 24/7-etc.-etc. 5.cloth load! - remember ! our universe is just one of the many bubbles out there.