Polycarbonate Terrace Shed

What a polycarbonate terrace shed is, and where it works

A terrace shed is a roof without walls. A frame of mild steel (MS) tube or aluminium carries sheets of polycarbonate, a tough plastic that lets light through but blocks most UV and rain. It is fixed to the parapet and the wall of the stair room, or stands on its own columns when the terrace edge cannot take the load.

In Gurugram the commonest sites are the top floors of builder floors in DLF phases, Sushant Lok and South City, where the terrace comes with the top floor and is the only outdoor space. Penthouses on Golf Course Road and Sohna Road use them to turn a hot terrace into a sitting area. In Noida the same request comes from top-floor flats and independent houses in the older sectors.

A shed is also the usual answer to a terrace that leaks into the room below, because it stops rain reaching the slab at all. For the broader picture of options, our terrace shed guide for Gurgaon walks through the choices before a visit.

Multiwall, solid or corrugated: which polycarbonate sheet?

There are three common kinds of sheet, and the right one depends on what you want from the roof.

Multiwall (hollow) sheet has two or more skins with air channels between them. The air gap insulates, so the space under it stays cooler, and the light comes through diffused rather than as a hard glare. It is usually 4mm to 10mm thick. It is the usual choice for a sitting area.

Solid (compact) sheet looks like glass and keeps the view of the sky. It is stronger for its thickness, typically 3mm to 6mm, but passes more heat. It suits a covered walkway or a shed where looks matter most.

Corrugated or profiled sheet is a wavy single skin, light and quick to lay. It drains well on a shallow slope and suits utility areas, a washing or water-tank corner, or a long run on a budget.

Whatever the type, the sheet should carry a UV-protected face turned upward. Uncoated sheet turns yellow and brittle in Delhi NCR sun within a few summers, which is the problem described on our polycarbonate sheet yellowing page.

Society rules, slope and the monsoon

Before anything is fabricated, check whether you need permission. In a gated society or a group housing tower, the RWA or maintenance office usually has to approve any structure on a terrace or that changes the look from outside, and some societies specify colour or height. Builder floors usually have fewer rules, but neighbours sharing a wall should know.

The design point that decides whether the shed stays dry is the fall. Polycarbonate must be laid to a slope so water runs off rather than sitting on the sheet. A flat shed ponds after every shower, and the water finds its way through screw holes and joints. We set the slope, add a gutter and downpipe at the low edge, and seal fixings with EPDM washers so the screws do not become leaks.

Gurugram and Noida get strong dust storms in May and June. Frames are sized and anchored for wind uplift, not just for the weight of the sheet. If an existing shed is already dripping, see terrace shed leaking for the usual causes.

What decides the price of a terrace shed

Terrace sheds have no fixed rate on our site, because two sheds of the same size can differ a great deal in cost. The price is worked out after the visit, and the terrace shed cost guide explains the method.

The main factors are:

Area covered. Sheds are priced on the roof area, so the footprint is the starting point.

Sheet type and thickness. Multiwall in a thicker gauge costs more than a thin corrugated sheet, and branded UV-coated sheet costs more than unbranded.

Frame material and section size. MS tube is the usual choice; aluminium is lighter and does not rust but costs more. Longer spans need heavier sections or extra columns.

Finish. Primer and enamel paint, or powder coating, which lasts longer.

Fixing and access. Anchoring into a sound parapet is quicker than building columns. A fourth-floor terrace reached by a narrow stair takes more labour than a ground-level yard.

The written quote lists the sheet, frame, finish and labour, so you can compare it like for like.

How the job runs, and how to look after the shed

You book a site visit for ₹99, which is adjusted against the bill if you go ahead. The visit is usually arranged within 24 to 48 hours. We measure the terrace, check the parapet and slab where the frame will be anchored, and discuss sheet and colour. A written, all-inclusive quote usually follows within about two hours of the visit and stays valid for three days.

Work starts on a 50% advance. The frame is fabricated, primed and painted or coated, then brought up and erected; the sheets go on last so they are not scratched. The balance 50% is due on completion.

Care is simple. Hose the sheet down a few times a year with plain water and a soft brush; avoid scrubbers and solvent cleaners, which strip the UV layer. Clear the gutter before the monsoon. Touch up any chipped paint on the frame before rust sets in. Other roofing options sit in the sheds and pergolas catalogue, and local details are on the sheds and pergolas in Gurgaon page.