Howdy folks! Just imagine your pole barn, not dark and gloomy, but filled right up with natural daylight—brighter, more inviting, and a whole lot easier to get your work done in. Here at DIY Pole Barns, we’ve helped thousands of good people do just that, with our expert guidance and top-quality materials, you can bet on it.
Now, one of our favorite ways to bring in that perfect, natural glow is with the SUNSKY polycarbonate panel system, made by Palram. Let’s have a closer look at what makes these panels so special and why I reckon they’re a fantastic fit for so many pole barn projects out there.
Strength, Clarity, and Style The Benefits of SUNSKY
Unmatched Durability
These SUNSKY panels, they’re built tough, let me tell you. They offer outstanding impact resistance that’ll stand right up to hail, strong winds, and just the everyday wear and tear. Whether you’re planning on storing your good equipment, vehicles, or even livestock, you can trust these panels to hold up, year after year.
Brilliant Light, Built In Protection
You can get these panels in clear, a soft white, or even a smoke gray. No matter your choice, SUNSKY panels will flood your space with natural light while blocking up to 99.9% of those harmful UV rays. What that means for you is your tools, your feed, and your animals stay protected from sun damage, and you get a brighter, more pleasant place to be.
Lightweight and Easy to Install
Polycarbonate, you see, is a whole lot lighter than glass. That makes handling and installing these panels a real breeze. With the clear instructions and quality materials you get from us at DIY Pole Barns, you’ll have your panels fixed in place in no time at all.
Seamless Match with Your Metal Siding
Our SUNSKY panels are smartly designed to match up with standard 9-inch on-center metal siding profiles – names you might know like G-Rib, Tuff Rib, Classic Rib, and Pro Panel Plus. And the result? A clean, professional look that blends in just perfectly with your pole barn.
Where to Place Your SUNSKY Panels
Now, for the best results and to keep things working right, we generally recommend installing these SUNSKY panels at the top of your eave walls—not right on the roof. Putting them there minimizes the risk of any leaks or condensation, giving you a reliable source of natural light without any of the headaches that can come with roof installations.
Step by Step How to Install SUNSKY Panels
Ready to get those panels up? Here’s how you can install your SUNSKY panels and get a weather-tight, professional finish that’ll do you proud:
- Review Your Building Plans First things first, take a little moment to check over your plans for all the measurements and details. If you find yourself with any questions, remember the DIY Pole Barns team is always here and happy to help.
- Install the Bottom Metal Siding Go ahead and secure the bottom piece of metal siding right where your skylight panel is going to start.
- Add Z Trim for a Smooth Transition Next, you’ll place Z-trim on top of that bottom siding. This helps make a nice, smooth transition to the polycarbonate panel. Tack it in place with some painted trim nails—this is important because it makes sure any water flows down the outside of your building, not sneaking inside.
- Lay in the SUNSKY Panel Carefully set the SUNSKY panel right on top of that Z-trim, making sure it’s well-supported and sitting nice and level.
- Add a Second Z Trim Now, place another piece of Z-trim on top of the polycarbonate panel. This is for transitioning back to the metal siding that goes above it. Tack this one in place with painted trim nails too.
- Install the Truss Carrier Siding Secure the next piece of metal siding (this is the one that covers your truss carrier) right on top of that upper Z-trim. We call this the “waterfall” method, and it’s key to keeping water flowing away from your building, not getting in behind it.
- Secure Everything with ZXL Screws For all your fastening, you’ll want to use ZXL screws from ST Fasteners. These screws are specially designed for a strong, weather-resistant hold you can count on.
Tips for a Flawless Installation
Here are a few extra pointers from old Albert to make sure your installation goes slick as a whistle:
- Install your panels when temperatures are moderate, not too hot, not too cold, for the best results.
- Make sure your building is well-ventilated. Good airflow helps minimize any condensation.
- Always follow all the manufacturer’s instructions and what’s in your building plans.
- And remember, if you ever need a bit of extra help or advice, the team here at DIY Pole Barns is just a call or a click away.
Peace of Mind DIY Pole Barns Limited Lifetime Structural Warranty
When you decide to build with us at DIY Pole Barns, you’re not just getting quality materials—you’re getting good old-fashioned peace of mind too. Every single pole barn that’s constructed with our guidance comes with a limited lifetime structural warranty. That’s our promise to you: a building that’s truly built to last.
Bringing It All Together
These SUNSKY polycarbonate panels, folks, are a smart, stylish, and downright durable way to bring lovely natural light into your pole barn. With clear instructions to follow, expert support when you need it, and a warranty you can truly count on, DIY Pole Barns makes it easy for you to create the perfect space for whatever your needs might be.
Now, it’s important for me to note that these SUNSKY panels are best suited for your non-insulated, cold storage type buildings. They’re not really designed for insulated structures, as they don’t quite accommodate the typical insulation systems you’d use. But for all your cold storage, agricultural buildings, and garage projects, they’re a fantastic choice—they deliver brightness, they’re tough as nails, and they give a real sleek look.
And you know what? These SUNSKY panels are surprisingly cost-effective too—a whole lot less expensive than putting in traditional windows, and much easier to install, to boot! You should try our easy online quote tool; it’ll show you just how affordable adding natural light to your building can be!
Get Your Custom Quote Here
Don’t hesitate to contact DIY Pole Barns today to learn more about our products, our installation support, and just how we can help you build that space you’ve always wanted.
Call our knowledgeable staff at 800-622-4242. If you’re ready to build your pole building, lock in a quote with DIY Pole Barns using our Instant Quote tool!
Connect with us on social media!