Thank you, Kim! Do you mind telling me the ballpark cost for the roof?

We offer polycarbonate sheets in several tints on our website: http://www.postframeaccessories.com/polycarbonate.html. Our cost starts at $69 a sheet but is highly impact resistant and won't yellow overtime unlike fiberglass sheets which are similar but less expensive.

Hi Lien-Trang Ngo - We also sell polycarbonate panels, called Tuftex. Translucent Tuftex PolyCarb is $30 per sheet at most Lowe's locations. You can find more information about Tuftex and the various colors it comes in here: http://ondura.com/tuftex.

We are looking for sheets that we can remove if we get a heavy snow warning. Our pergola is being built this next couple of weeks. The other concern we have is wind, do you leave gaps for heavy wind can this be a problem? Any ideas on how to do a fastener that can be turned to take the sheets off for the months of Dec-Jan?

Hi sw8689 - with our polycarbonate sheets, you can leave them installed with all of those weather issues you mentioned. Our polycarbonate is often used on livestock barns throughout the midwest and have stood the test of time wonderfully. If you have any other questions about them feel free to let us know.

Thanks, should I have builder reinforce footings or anything then for wind and snow load? I guess so..

That would be a good idea. The polycarbonate itself can withstand quite a bit of force, but if the overall structure cannot the entire thing would collapse.

Hi sw8689 - Here is more information about Tuftex – http://ondura.com/our-products/tuftex - including load capacities (In Technical Specs) and take a look at limited lifetime warranty for the product in the FAQ’s section. Snow loads are not a problem if installed correctly but give us a call about your specific installation so we can better understand what you need - 800.693.8240. We’re based in Virginia (USA), which is where Tuftex is manufactured, and you’ll be speaking with HQ staff – so please call between 9:00am and 5pm EST.

I was speaking with a supplier who supplies very similar polycarbonate, they said that flat applications like this are a no no. 1:12 minimum slope as mold will grow in the channels. Are your sheets different?

you are correct jsmbythebay, a perfectly flat roof is not recommended with polycarbonate. It will always need some degree of slope. With our polycarbonate, the recommended minimum slope is 5% (1":20"), it performs best at a 1":10" (5.7 degree) or more. Lower slopes require additional sealing.