Carport Roofing Alternatives

[Craftymrsj]

Please help prevent world war three. We are about to replace our carport which runs alongside the kitchen, covering the side window and back door. My husband wants to use a solid roof (it's currently corrugated clear plastic). I think it will take too much light from the kitchen. We have a window above it and he says if we have a solid roof he can get up on it to clean the window and paint it when necessary. This hasn't worried him in the 17 years we have been here! Any suggestions before we stop speaking to each other?

[Zacs-Master]

Why not look at a retractable awning?
http://www.sunawningsonline.co.uk/types-of-awning.php

[RATTER15]

Go 50/50 do every other sheet in perspex, he can then straddle or avoid them.

[bhg481]

I wouldn't trust a retractable one in winds like we've had lately. Also they are not transparent, so will still keep a lot of light out.

[cactusdriver]

Problem is that awnings are used in the summer to provide shade and are wound in during the winter but car ports come into their own during the winter to protect from frost and snow - I dont think an awning would last long in the recent gales.

[Zacs-Master]

Awnings can be fitted with wind sensors.

[Mosaic]

I would go for a triple or quad wall polycarbonate, and there are some jolly nice folk on ebay who will supply cut to size and with the open ends ready sealed for you, plus all the profile stuff you need for secure fixing.
If himself feels the need to get up there he can pop out one of the sheets and put a ladder through it.

[Jennykenny]

Let him choose. If it works, great. If it doesn't then you can say 'I told you so.' And you get to make every decision thereafter.

[Togo]

What are your carport supports made of Crafty? Will they support the extra weight of a solid roof?