Some projects do more than improve a space. They change how it's used.
At the Epic Gardening retreat property in Maine, an existing open pergola above the new outdoor kitchen provided welcome shade on sunny days, but little protection when the weather turned. The vision was to add a roof, transforming it into an outdoor living space that could be enjoyed through much more of the year, regardless of changing conditions.
To make that vision a reality, Jacques from Epic Gardening installed the new Solvera Pro Glazing System, available exclusively through Polycarbonate Store.
This pergola roof is just one of several improvements underway at the Epic Gardening retreat property in Maine. Over the past year, Jacques and the Epic team have been transforming the space into a place for gardening, learning, and gathering. In fact, this wasn't their first project with Polycarbonate Store materials. Last year, Jacques installed a custom DIY greenhouse using our multiwall polycarbonate panels and accessories, creating another durable, light-filled structure that's become an important part of the property.
Designed for builders, contractors, and homeowners who care as much about the finished appearance as about the longevity of their project, Solvera Pro is a premium architectural glazing system that combines long-term performance, refined aesthetics, and simplified installation into a single, complete system.
Project at a Glance
Project Type: Outdoor kitchen polycarbonate pergola roof
Location: Epic Gardening retreat property, Maine
Glazing System: Solvera Pro Glazing System
Glazing Material: Multiwall polycarbonate panels
Used For: Outdoor kitchen/patio cover
Featured By: Jacques in the Garden
Professional Glazing Without the Guesswork
A premium glazing system is only as good as the planning behind it. Solvera Pro was developed to simplify that planning before installation even begins.
Instead of calculating dozens of individual components or sourcing materials from multiple suppliers, the Solvera Pro Glazing System arrives as one complete, purpose-built package. Once the structure is measured, the system includes everything needed for installation, from the aluminum glazing bar components and polycarbonate panels to the stainless steel fasteners, sealing tapes, gaskets, sealants, and finishing details. For this pergola roof project, Jacques' order was surprisingly straightforward:
- Solvera Pro Exterior End Rafters with Drip Flashing (2 qty)
- Solvera Pro Interior Rafters (3 qty)
-
Solvera Pro Polycarbonate Panel & Sealant Kit with desired panel type and size (4 qty)
The complete order was crated at our warehouse and shipped by freight directly to the project location.
That complete-system approach is intentional. Rather than asking builders to piece together a glazing system from individual parts, Solvera Pro is designed so every component works together. It simplifies planning, streamlines ordering, and removes much of the guesswork traditionally associated with premium polycarbonate glazing.
Even details like the required overhang have already been considered. As Jacques points out during the installation, the aluminum glazing bars arrive with those allowances already built into the design, eliminating unnecessary measuring and modifications before installation begins.
Want to see the complete installation? Watch Jacques build the roof from start to finish on the Jacques in the Garden YouTube channel, then continue reading for a closer look at the design decisions behind the system.
Engineered to Protect the Structure Below from Moisture
A roof does more than keep the rain out. It also needs to manage the moisture you can't always see.
Traditional glazing methods often rely on exposed screw-through-panel fastening, creating additional penetrations that can allow water to reach the supporting structure over time. Solvera Pro takes a different approach.
The system secures polycarbonate panels between rubber-gasketed aluminum glazing bars and a concealed pressure cap, creating a watertight seal without drilling through the glazing panels themselves.
To achieve that, Solvera Pro incorporates multiple moisture management features that work together as one integrated system:
- Solid upper sealing tape helps prevent moisture and debris from entering the upper ends of the panel flutes.
- Vented lower sealing tape allows condensation to escape while helping keep insects and debris out.
- H-profile panel end trims protect the taped panel ends and provide a clean, finished appearance.
- Dual rubber gasket system creates a watertight seal between the glazing panels and aluminum bars.
- Integrated drainage paths and weep holes direct incidental moisture out of the system rather than allowing it to become trapped.
-
Perimeter flashing helps protect the supporting structure by directing water away from exposed framing.
Rather than relying on a single waterproofing detail, Solvera Pro combines multiple components into one integrated moisture management system. The result is reduced water exposure of the supporting structure, helping to protect the project's longevity while maintaining a clean, professional appearance.
Designed to Look as Good as It Performs
Performance is only part of what defines a premium glazing system. The finished appearance matters just as much.
As the installation came together, Jacques repeatedly commented on the clean, refined look of the completed roof. Rather than exposed fasteners and visible hardware, Solvera Pro uses concealed pressure caps hidden beneath snap-on beauty covers, creating uninterrupted lines across the finished roof.
Every aluminum glazing component features a durable wet-baked enamel finish, while concealed pressure caps, snap-on beauty covers, coordinated perimeter flashing, and finished H-profile panel edge trims give the installation a polished architectural appearance from every angle. Even the optional perimeter drip flashing serves a dual purpose, helping direct water away from the supporting structure while creating crisp, finished edges.
These finishing details aren't simply cosmetic. They're part of the same design philosophy that drives the entire Solvera Pro system. Every component works together to deliver a roof that performs exceptionally well while looking like it was always meant to be part of the structure.
A Project Worth Building
By the end of the installation, the transformation was complete.
The once-open pergola had become a covered outdoor living space that naturally complements the outdoor kitchen below. More importantly, it's now a space that can be enjoyed in changing weather while helping protect the supporting wood structure for years to come.
Throughout the project, Jacques remarked on how the system came together, from the integrated moisture-management details to the concealed hardware and the finished architectural appearance. For him, the result was a roof that not only looked clean and professional, but one he trusted to perform for the long haul.
It's exactly the type of project Solvera Pro was developed for. Whether you're glazing a greenhouse, patio cover, pergola, conservatory, breezeway, canopy, timber frame, or another light-filled structure, the system delivers the refined appearance and long-term performance expected of a premium architectural glazing solution.
Ready to Build with Solvera Pro?
If you're planning a project where lasting performance and refined design are paramount, explore the Solvera Pro Glazing System to learn more about available glazing options, choose the right configuration for your project, or connect with our team for planning assistance.
Whether you're planning your first premium glazing project or looking for a better way to cover an existing structure, we're here to help you bring it together.