Installing Omegabuild Solar Inserts into multiwall polycarbonate sheets is a simple and highly effective way to reduce solar heat gain and glare in conservatories, canopies, carports, and lean-to roofing systems. These innovative inserts improve comfort while maintaining excellent natural light transmission through your polycarbonate roofing sheets.
This step-by-step installation guide explains how to fit solar inserts safely and efficiently into existing polycarbonate roof panels. Whether you are a homeowner upgrading a conservatory roof or a trade installer working with polycarbonate lean-to roof kits, this guide provides clear instructions to help achieve a professional finish.
Benefits of Omegabuild Solar Inserts
Omegabuild Solar Inserts are designed to improve the thermal performance of multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets by helping to reduce excessive heat build-up caused by direct sunlight.
Benefits include:
- Helps reduce solar heat gain
- Improves conservatory comfort in summer
- Suitable for existing polycarbonate roofing sheets
- Easy DIY installation
- Compatible with conservatories, carports, canopies, and lean-to roofs
- Low maintenance solution
- Ideal for upgrading older polycarbonate roof systems
Our solar inserts are a popular upgrade for homeowners with ageing conservatories and for installers fitting new polycarbonate lean-to roof kits.
Tools Required for Installation
The installation guide recommends the following tools and equipment:
- Starter kit with insertion rod, hole punch, silicone spray, and breather tape
- Ladder
- Snap-off knife or Stanley knife
- Screwdrivers
- Rolls of Omegabuild Solar Inserts
- Window cleaner’s pouch or large pocket for holding insert reels
Additional tools may be required depending on the type of conservatory or polycarbonate roof system being upgraded.
Step 1 – Prepare the Roof
Before fitting the solar inserts, position your ladder safely and arrange a comfortable working height close to gutter level.
Remove any end caps that are slotted or screwed onto the ends of the polycarbonate roofing sheets. This allows access to the internal chambers of the sheets for inserting the solar material.
Step 2 – Remove the Drip Edge
If the roof has a plastic ‘U’ shaped drip edge fitted, carefully remove it by hand.
Where silicone has been used, the guide recommends gently levering the trim away using a large flat-headed screwdriver. This step provides clear access to the polycarbonate sheet cavities.
Step 3 – Remove Existing Breather Tape
Peel away any old breather tape fitted to the ends of the multiwall polycarbonate sheets.
Clean the sheet edges thoroughly so that new breather tape can be applied later once the solar inserts are fitted.
Step 4 – Lubricate the Polycarbonate Cavities
To ease installation, lightly spray silicone into the upper cavities of the polycarbonate roofing sheets.
The fitting guide explains that only a small amount of spray is needed and it should evaporate cleanly without leaving residue inside the sheets.
Step 5 – Prepare the Solar Insert Material
Place the reel of solar insert material into a pouch or pocket positioned below the height of the roof sheets and aligned with the cavity being filled.
Using the supplied hole punch, create a central hole near the end of the insert material ready for the insertion rod.
Step 6 – Attach the Insertion Rod
Push the insertion rod through the punched hole with the embossed side of the insert facing upwards.
The guide highlights that the textured or “bumpy” side should always face upward for correct installation.
Step 7 – Insert into the Polycarbonate Sheet
Carefully slide the insert up through the top cavity of the multiwall polycarbonate sheet while maintaining pressure on the fitting rod.
As shown in the installation guide, the insert should naturally form an arc shape inside the cavity to create the best finish and thermal performance.
Step 8 – Trim the Insert
Once fully inserted, remove the rod and trim the insert flush with the end of the polycarbonate roofing sheet using a sharp knife.
This creates a clean and professional appearance.
Step 9 – Refit Breather Tape and End Caps
After all cavities have been filled correctly, refit the breather tape, drip edge trim, and end caps.
Check from inside the conservatory or canopy roof to ensure all inserts are positioned evenly within the polycarbonate sheets.
Upgrade Existing Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets
Omegabuild Solar Inserts are an excellent way to improve the comfort and performance of existing conservatories and lean-to roof systems without replacing the entire roof.
They are compatible with many types of:
- Multiwall polycarbonate sheets
- Conservatory roofing systems
- Polycarbonate lean-to roof kits
- Carports and patio canopies
- DIY polycarbonate roofing projects
Download the Solar Inserts Installation Guide
The full graphical installation guide includes detailed illustrations showing:
- End cap removal
- Breather tape replacement
- Solar insert fitting technique
- Polycarbonate cavity preparation
- Finishing and trimming details
Download the installation guide here: Polycarbonate Solar Inserts Fitting Guide
