Bike shelters are independent structures that serve to shield bikes from the elements. Weather protection is required for a Class I public bike rack. Even if the rack is just on your property you’ll likely want to build a shelter anyway.
Water can cause long-term damage to bike leather and riding a wet bicycle can be uncomfortable or even potentially unsafe if the seat becomes too slippery. Rust can also begin to set in over time. Bikes shouldn’t be left out in the rain and they don’t have to be.Â
A bike shelter roof doesn’t have to be particularly complex. The most common choice is a simple skillion or one-sided roof. This sits at a pitch to help it shed water. If you are building a dedicated bike shed instead of just a shelter you may want to have a double-sided pitched roof but a skillion roof will work there as well.
The best material to make a bike shelter roof out of is polycarbonate sheeting. This is advantageous for several reasons. Firstly, it’s totally waterproof and easy to install. Polycarbonate is also light for its weight, meaning that you can have a sizable roof to protect your bikes. Finally, it’s durable, removing the need to refurbish it as often as similar materials.Â
Using Polycarbonate for a Bike Shelter Roof
Some brands of polycarbonate sheeting can be installed with glazing bars. At ERoofing we sell Clear Amber’s Axiome line alongside the Snapa and ALUKAP glazing bars designed specifically to hold them. If you want a curved shape instead, then you should instead look at our selection of flexible Axgard polycarbonate panels.
If you are roofing a bike shed instead, you can also go for something like shed felt. This is an inexpensive and convenient way to waterproof the roof of a shed. Shed felt is also easy to patch if damaged. When installing shed felt, you should use clout nails and shed felt adhesive to secure it in place and protect it from wind.Â
