Hi. I am working on a box for island life. 80s, rain daily, never cold.
It is an advantage not requiring heat, water heat, insulation.
Challenges are avoiding rot and mold, and leaks.
My main functional aspects are the ladder and roof hatch are in the shower.
And a second skin roof holds 800W of solar panels (12’ box).
I want this roof to raise up 6" so I can walk around up there. Picture the popular bed lift but exterior.
My main questions are materials.
round or square stock tubing sleeved into a larger bore. Probably lifting with cable system and winch.
We are not talking a lot of weight and this is only for going up when its nice out (it will go down into normal roof solar rack driving mode for wind/rain(
Aluminum is light but gets brittle in flexing environment. steel is popular but heavy for being up high. I almost want to find the strongest non-foamed PVC like used for furniture (comes in many colors, strong, thicker). And create the roof with ridged polycarb which will UV-protect everything under it.
Is a overbuilt non-metal version here possible - what are options for strength in something that will be flexing in-use for this weight requirement? being good against rust and work-hardening… 