Whether you are building a conservatory, creating a lean to roof or roofing your garden pergola, polycarbonate sheeting will likely be one of the top roofing options you will consider. As a lightweight and stronger alternative to glass, polycarbonate is a cost-effective glazing solution that is easy to install whilst creating a stunning finish.
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Buying polycarbonate sheeting online or in-store can be overwhelming so in this buying guide we are going to cover everything you need to know when purchasing polycarbonate roof sheets for your project. We are going to cover common questions about choosing polycarbonate for your project, comparing alternatives, installing polycarbonate and more!
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Polycarbonate Sheeting Overview
Polycarbonate Sheeting is popular compared to other lower grades of plastic sheets, such as Pet G and Acrylic, due to its durability and installer-friendly properties. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic sheet that was first discovered in the mid-s but only really came into more mainstream use in the early s when more modern technologies allowed it to be manufactured with crystal clear clarity! Prior to this polycarbonate was made with a brown tint, or cognac coloured as they called it.
Fast forward to today and polycarbonate sheeting is one of the most popular plastic sheets manufactured and used in millions of applications globally every year.
Due to Polycarbonate&#;s unique mix of qualities, it is one of the most versatile materials you will find. It can be used in a wide range of applications both at home and commercially, from canopy glazing to carports to cloches! Since the spread of Covid, people will have been used to seeing it being used as cough screens and protection barriers in shops, offices and public areas more regularly, however, polycarbonates most common use is a roofing sheet. Popular places where polycarbonates sheet is used include:
Polycarbonate sheeting also is used on many other glazing projects such as stadium dugouts, screening, car wash bay screens and a host of more unique uses! This is why it is unbeatable as a glazing sheet option.
Broadly speaking there are two main types of polycarbonate sheets which are solid polycarbonate and multiwall polycarbonate. When considering multiwall polycarbonate, it is often split into Twinwall polycarbonate sheets and multiwall polycarbonate sheeting, however, in essence, these are the same, just different quantities of internal walls!
Both types of polycarbonate sheeting as equally as durable and easy to install meaning the choice between them is more about looks, budget and strength.
In a nutshell, solid polycarbonate is a plastic sheet that looks like glass but is a stronger and lighter alternative. At up to 200x stronger than standard glass of the same thickness, solid polycarbonate has the &#;glass look&#; but is virtually unbreakable and only weighs half as much as glass.
Solid Polycarbonate sheets come in a range of thicknesses from 2 to 12mm with the 6mm thickness tending to be the most popular and widely used. To suit different applications, solid polycarbonate is manufactured in a range of tints including clear, bronze, opal, black and patterned.
Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are manufactured from various layers which create a honeycomb type structure. Ever popular, multiwall sheeting is the most common type of polycarbonate sheeting due to its affordable cost and superior thermal insulation. Much like Solid Polycarbonate sheets, multiwall polycarbonate comes in a range of tints including clear, bronze and opal. The most popular thickness of multiwall polycarbonate is 16mm, however, we also manufacture multiwall bigger thicknesses of 25mm and 35mm.
Twinwall polycarbonate is identical to multiwall polycarbonate but just has two layers rather than multiple layers &#; as the name suggests! Twinwall polycarbonate is available in a range of three thicknesses including 4mm, 6mm and 10mm giving different strength options for different types of roofs.
Primarily used for smaller projects, the Twinwall polycarbonate comes in clear mainly but also opal and bronze in the 10mm thickness. It is worth noting that 4mm and 6mm polycarbonate sheets are not recommended for roofing projects but rather as cost-effective plastic sheeting for smaller garden applications like cloches and cold frames.
Polycarbonate Sheeting Pros & Cons
Both solid and multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets provide a wide range of benefits for installers making them an excellent choice for a variety of roof projects.
Virtually unbreakable: A key benefit of polycarbonate sheets is their robustness and impact resistance which means they are virtually unbreakable! Be aware most plastics are not like this as, unlike acrylics and other plastic sheeting, polycarbonate can be hit with a base bat or football and survive! Homeowners can comfortably install polycarbonate, more so solid sheets, without worrying about the fragility to hail or a stray football coming from the garden!
Lightweight: Ease of installation is a key consideration when you are choosing a roofing sheet to use and a big part of that is weight. Heavy options like glass can cause handling challenges, especially when high up on a roof. Solid polycarbonate is around half the weight of glass of the same thickness and multiwall polycarbonate around is 1/10 the weight of glass of the same thickness! For example,
Easy to cut and drill: Another area polycarbonate shines in is how easy it is to cut and drill. Polycarbonate is undoubtedly the easiest plastic sheet to cut and drill. No need for installers to worry if a sheet is needing to be trimmed down as it can be down easily and neatly. Read on to find out how to cut polycarbonate and how to drill polycarbonate in later sections. Clear Amber Shop can also cut to size for you if you are still unsure.
Long-lasting clarity: UV Protected: Proper UV protection is important on clear roofing sheets to ensure long lasting clarity and light transmission. All our polycarbonate sheets, Twinwall, multiwall and solid, are UV protected on one or two sides to give a great roof lifespan! UV protected sheets are not to be confused with UV stable or UV resistant which are seen on some sheets (like PVC) and aren&#;t as effective. You may well have noticed cracked and mouldy bus stops and bike shelters in your area when non-UV protected plastic has been used and the difference is stark!
Insulating: Polycarbonate naturally retains heat very well and so has great thermal insulation qualities. Multiwall polycarbonate in particular provides great levels of thermal insulation, making it ideal for lean to home extension and conservatories. In general, the bigger thicker gauge multiwall sheets offer higher insulation levels.
Sustainable: Polycarbonate has a great lifespan and the plastic roof panels are fully recyclable once finished!
Fire-resistant: Polycarbonate is fire resistant and unlike acrylic is self-extinguishing.
A well-maintained polycarbonate roof can last between 10 and 20 years! Ensuring your roof will last its full expected lifespan is dependent on using the correct glazing bars and installation methods. It is well worth investing a little more time and money into purchasing the correct fixtures and fixings before starting your project.
Yes, multiwall and solid polycarbonate comes UV protected as standard. We often get asked: &#;Why is UV protection required on plastic sheets?&#;. UV protection is essential to protect roofing sheets from going brittle or yellowing over time.
All our Solid Polycarbonate Sheeting is UV Protected on both sides to give a high-quality finish. Our Multiwall Polycarbonate is UV protected on the outer side so it should always be installed with that that side out towards the sun.
There are honestly very few disadvantages to polycarbonate sheets which is why it is a popular roofing solution for DIYers and trade. The only disadvantage is that it can scratch if not handled carefully. This isn&#;t a deal breaker because solid polycarbonate sheets come with sheet protective film on both sides to help protect it whilst you are installing. Once installed you simply peel the protective film off.
No! Polycarbonate is a very robust plastic so is virtually unbreakable. The Solid type of polycarbonate is often used in high impact scenarios such as vandal-proof shelters, riot shields and prisons etc. There is no need to worry about your roof panels shattering when installing polycarbonate on your roof!
Yes, polycarbonate sheeting can be bent and installed on a curved roof. It is quite easy to install with curved glazing bars on a wide range of radii. Common curved installations include bike shelters, barrel roof lanterns and greenhouses. As a rule of thumb, the thinner gauge sheets bend more easily.
Choosing Polycarbonate Sheeting
Glass is still a popular glazing choice for many projects due to its high clarity and clean modern style. However, if you are looking to achieve the clean &#;glass look&#; on your glazing then there are actually glazing sheet options two options: solid polycarbonate or glass. Solid polycarbonate sheeting is increasingly becoming a more popular alternative to glass panels due to its similar style but wider range of benefits.
Polycarbonate
Glass
High clarity High clarity Virtually unbreakable - 200x stronger Fragile Light - 50% less or more Heavy Easy to Cut and Drill Difficult to cut and drive Low to medium cost High cost Wide range of sizes Limited sizes on standard delivery Vulnerable to scratches (if badly handled!) Scratch Resistance Degree of flexibility Rigid
Weighing up the pros and cons of glass versus solid polycarbonate roofing sheets, it is clear to conclude that for domestic projects solid polycarbonate is the better choice. Reduced installation challenges and ease of handling make polycarbonate a no-brainer for home and garden projects like pergola lean-tos, verandas and oak gazebos.
Even on commercial projects, solid glazing sheets have become a viable alternative to the inconveniences and costs of installing glass sheets.
Deciding between multiwall and solid polycarbonate sheets is easy as they have distinct pros and cons. Generally, solid polycarbonate glazing is considered a more premium option for a quality finish and multiwall is a more economical option for those on tighter budgets. Both are an installer&#;s dream, being easy to install, cut and handle.
Solid Polycarbonate
Twinwall and Multiwall Polycarbonate
££
£
High Clarity (glass look)
Medium Clarity
Limited thermal insulation
Great thermal insulation (especially thicker gauges)
5 tint options
3 tint options
Medium Weight
Lightweight
For exterior options, if you are looking for a first-class finish that will elevate your home then solid polycarbonate offers unbeatable value.
Twinwall and Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are the same types of sheet, however, as the name suggests have varying quantities of internal walls. The reason sheets are made with internal walls is to enhance their strength and insulation factor.
Twinwall Polycarbonate Sheeting is extruding with two external layers and internal connectors. On the other hand, multiwall polycarbonate sheets have two external layers and then multiple internal layers, ranging from 3 layers total upwards.
The thicker the sheet the more walls they tend to have. 4mm, 6mm and 10mm thickness are considered to be Twinwall and 16mm, 25mm and 35mm are Multiwall. Thicker gauge sheets have better thermal insulation (lower U Value) Also thicker multiwall sheets tend to have greater sound reduction compared to the thin 6mm and 10mm, although this is less of a factor.
We manufacture Twinwall and Multiwall polycarbonate sheeting in a range of thicknesses including 4mm, 6mm, 10mm, 16mm, 25mm, and 35mm. Solid Polycarbonate is available in a wider range of thicknesses including 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. There is plenty of choice no matter the application!
The best thickness of polycarbonate sheet for your roof entirely depends on the type of roof you are constructing. However, as a guide, our 6mm Axgard Solid Polycarbonate sheets and 16mm Multiwall Polycarbonate sheets tend to be the most popular thicknesses of each type.
In the next section, we give a few common application types for each thickness as an approximate guide.
When choosing a polycarbonate sheet thickness there are two main factors to bear in mind; strength and insulation. Quite simply, the thicker the sheet the greater the strength and higher the thermal insulation. It is worth noting that thermal insulation is more of a consideration when using multiwall type sheets. Here are some common uses for each thickness:
Solid Polycarbonate
2 mm &#; Wall protection, Secondary glazing
3 and 4mm &#; Screens, Bike shelters, curved dugouts, shed windows
5 and 6mm &#; Oak Pergolas, canopies, lean tos, gazebo glazing
8,10 and 12mm &#; lean tos, verandas
Multiwall Polycarbonate
4mm &#; cloches and temporary glazing (not suitable for roofing applications)
6mm - cold frames and greenhouses (not suitable for roofing applications)
10mm &#; potting sheets, pergolas
16mm &#; lean to, gazeboes, canopies, carports
25mm &#; lean to extension, garden buildings
35mm &#; conservatory roofs, orangeries, extensions
At the end of the day when choosing the best sheet thickness for your project it is always dependent on your project&#;s factors, such as the location, wind loading, exposure, structure etc, so you are always best to make a judgement based on your project!
When choosing what colour polycarbonate is best for you roof the three points to considering are the light transmission, heat rejection and visual appearance.
Light transmission simply means how much light is let through by the sheets. Clear sheeting has the greatest light transmission (and clarity) which is why it tends to be most popular. Then Bronze has less and opal the least light transmission.
Bronze and opal sheets are opposites with bronze reducing sun glare and creating shader and opal sheets providing some heat rejection and a clean white glow. Check the overview tables below for a complete comparison.
To learn more about the solid Axgard Glazing Sheet tint options compared to glass please read our &#;Glass or Plastic Sheets &#; Which is Best?&#; Blog.
Where to buy polycarbonate sheeting
Installers often search for polycarbonate sheets near me however, with the fast paced improvement of ecommerce your best option for ordering polycarbonate sheeting is online. With the widest range of sizes and rapid delivery direct to your door Clear Amber Shop makes ordering your roofing sheets hassle free.
To order, simply choose from our range of Multiwall or Solid sheets, add the required glazing bars for your project and then place via our checkout. With a nationwide delivery network your order will be with you in a couple of days from placing the order!
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Polycarbonate is a new fashion material that plays an important role in many fields. Maybe some people don&#;t know much about this new type of material. This overview will enhance your understanding of polycarbonate from many angles.
Polycarbonate (PC), an amorphous, transparent thermoplastic polymer, which is odorless and non-toxic. It has excellent heat resistance, good transparency, high impact resistance and other physical and mechanical properties. Polycarbonate is a kind of engineering plastic with excellent properties, such as high transmittance, refractive index and easy machining.
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Polycarbonates are strong, tough, transparent engineering thermoplastics with high impact strength of 600 to 900J/m, heat distortion temperature of 130&#; and flexural modulus of MPa and other characteristics. Details are as follows.
Mechanical properties
Polycarbonate has excellent mechanical properties, and its outstanding characteristic is high impact strength, which ranks among the best thermoplastic resins. Small creep, good dimensional stability, can still maintain high mechanical strength at low temperatures.
Thermal performance
Polycarbonate has good heat resistance, long-term use temperature up to 120&#;, but also has excellent cold resistance, an embrittlement temperature of -100&#;. Polycarbonate has no obvious melting point and is molten at 220-230&#;.
Electrical properties
Polycarbonate has excellent electrical properties due to its low polarity, high glass transition temperature and low water absorption.
Chemical resistance
Polycarbonate is stable in acidic and oily media, but it is not alkali resistant. Long-term immersion in boiling water is easy to cause hydrolysis and cracking.
Aging Performance
Under the action of ultraviolet light with the wavelength of 290nm, polycarbonate will undergo photooxidation reaction and gradually age. Aging begins with surface yellowing, which leads to the decrease of molecular weight and mechanical strength due to the fracture of the branch main chain, and finally cracking. Therefore, it is usually necessary to add UV absorbent to improve the anti-aging properties of polycarbonate.
Forming Characteristics
Polycarbonate has excellent processing properties. In the viscous flow state, it can be molded by injection, extrusion and other methods. The glass transition temperature and melting temperature (170-220&#;), can be used to blow molding process. At room temperature, polycarbonate has a considerable impact strength, so it can be cold pressing, cold drawing and another cold forming process.
The variety of ways polycarbonate can be created is virtually limitless thanks to its flexible nature. Just a few of the different types of polycarbonate include:
Most polycarbonate plastics in use today are non-toxic.
It is generally accepted that non-food grade polycarbonate releases bisphenol A (BPA) during degradation when in contact with water. In the past, most polycarbonates were indeed synthesized from bisphenol A and COCl2. However, due to the toxic effects of BPA release (in Canada became the first country to ban bisphenol A because of the potential for harm to the body after the European Union linked it to precious puberty. The European Union did the same in March ), many polycarbonates are now made into BPA-free products, so they can be used in food or industry.
Polycarbonate has excellent physical properties including&#;
Melting point: 220-230&#;
Density: 1.2g/cm3
Security Description: inedible
Available Temperature: -40&#; to 135&#;
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): 135&#;
Tortuosity Radio: 1.585 ± 0.001
Light Transmissivity: 90% ± 1%
Pyroconductivity: 0.19W/mK
Linear Expansivity: 3.8×10-5 cm/cm&#;
Thermal Coefficient Expansion: 65×10-6
Polycarbonate also has some disadvantages.
Polycarbonates are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. There are common methods to produce polycarbonate include:
Polycarbonates are interesting materials with good chemical resistance and some inertness during heat. Their transparency in the visible range permits numerous applications.
Construction industry(Indoor/Outdoor Applications):
Polycarbonate sheet has good light transmittance, impact resistance, and UV radiation resistance and its produces dimensional stability and good molding performance, which makes it have obvious technical performance advantages over inorganic glass traditionally used in the construction industry. They are used for both indoor and outdoor purposes because of their amazing light-filtering abilities and impact resistance. Polycarbonate is commonly used in nurseries and greenhouses due to its ability to withstand UV rays and heat.
Typical examples of applications of construction are within:
Automotive manufacturing:
Polycarbonate has good impact resistance, thermal distortion resistance, good weather resistance and high hardness, so it is suitable for the production of various parts for cars and light trucks. According to the data of developed countries, the proportion of polycarbonate used in electrical and electronic and automobile manufacturing is 40% to 50%.
Typical examples of applications of automotive manufacturing are within:
Medical instruments:
Because polycarbonate products can be sterilized by steam, cleaning agents, heat and large doses of radiation without yellowing and physical performance degradation, they are widely used in artificial kidney hemodialysis equipment and other devices that need to operate under transparent, intuitive conditions and medical equipment that needs to be repeatedly sterilized. Typical examples of applications of medical instruments are within:
Aerospace:
With the rapid development of aviation and aerospace technology, the requirements for various components in aircraft and spacecraft continue to increase, which makes the application of PC in this field also increases. According to statistics, there are 2,500 polycarbonate parts used on a Boeing aircraft alone, and a single aircraft consumes about 2 tons of polycarbonate. On the spacecraft, hundreds of different configurations of polycarbonate parts reinforced with glass fiber and protective equipment for astronauts are used.
Typical examples of applications of aerospace are within:
Packaging field:
A new growth point in the packaging sector is the re-sterilizable and usable water storage bottles of various sizes. Because polycarbonate products have the advantages of being lightweight, having good impact resistance and transparency, and having no deformation and transparency when washed with hot water and corrosive solutions, PC bottles have completely replaced glass bottles in some fields.
Electronics industry:
Because polycarbonate has good and constant electrical insulation in a wide temperature and humidity range, it is an excellent insulating material. At the same time, its good flame retardancy and dimensional stability make it form a broad application field in the electronic industry.
Typical examples of applications of the electronics industry are within:
Optical lens
Polycarbonate occupies an extremely important position in this field due to its unique characteristics of high light transmittance, high refractive index, high impact resistance, dimensional stability and easy processing. Another important application area of polycarbonate in optical lenses is as a lens material for children&#;s glasses, sunglasses and safety glasses and adult glasses. The average annual growth rate of polycarbonate consumption in the world&#;s optical industry has been maintained at more than 20%, showing great market vitality.
If you&#;ve read our blog on the many uses of polycarbonate sheets, you already know the versatility of this popular material. From cladding, roofs to skylights, curtain walls, interior design. But polycarbonate&#;s usefulness goes beyond aesthetics. From the perspective of construction, engineers and DIYers choose it for other advantages. After reading the content, I hope you will consider these benefits before selecting material for future projects.
Light transmittance
the light transmittance of polycarbonate sheet can reach 88%, which is comparable to glass. The lighting is transparent and not dazzling, and it is safe and stable.
Impact resistance
The impact strength of polycarbonate is 20 times that of tempered glass, which can prevent falling objects from high altitudes. It is very suitable for overpasses, outdoor lighting sheds, carports, awnings, patio covers, etc.
Flame retardancy
Polycarbonate is a flame retardant grade, that is, B1 grade. The ignition point of polycarbonate is 580°C, and it will self-extinguish after leaving the fire. When burning, it will not produce toxic gas and will not contribute to the spread of fire.
Weather resistance
The surface of polycarbonate has a co-extrusion layer with anti-ultraviolet rays(some higher quality polycarbonates have double-sided UV coating), which can prevent the resin from fatigue and yellowing caused by ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is the preferred material for the panels of agricultural greenhouses, garden greenhouses, commercial greenhouses and skylights, etc.
Temperature resistance
Polycarbonate can be in a temperature range of -40 &#; to 135 &#;, and the qualitative change of the product will not occur.
Heat insulation:
Both solid and multiwall polycarbonate can provide varying degrees of insulation. But due to the special internal structure of the multiwall polycarbonate, it is able to provide a higher degree of thermal insulation. For example twin-wall/ triple-wall/ four-wall/ X-structure/ honeycomb polycarbonate, each type has its own insulation characteristics and R-value to meet the needs of different applications.
Sound insulation
good sound insulation effect. It is one of the preferred materials for highway noise barriers in the world. (e.g., the sound intensity attenuation of 10mm-thickness twin-wall hollow polycarbonate is 19 decibels/the sound intensity of 16mm-thickness triple-wall hollow polycarbonate is attenuated by 21 decibels/the sound intensity of 6mm-thickness solid polycarbonate is 29 decibel). It has achieved good application space in the aspects of highway sound barriers, residential sound insulation boards, industrial workshop partition boards, modern office partition boards, etc.
Good processability
Polycarbonate can be bent to a certain arc, and it can be cold bent at room temperature without heating. Therefore, it can be bent into round arches, semi-circular arcs, etc. according to usage scenarios or needs.
Environmental protection
Polycarbonate is a modern new green and environmentally friendly building material, odorless, non-toxic and non-radiative. No toxic substances are produced during production and use. The product can also be recycled, which can greatly save you cost.
Lightweight
The specific gravity of polycarbonate is only half of that of glass. Thus, it can save the cost of transportation, handling, installation and supporting the frame.
Transparent hollow polycarbonate can not only be used as a covering material for greenhouses, but also as a suitable material for lighting in construction projects. As a common type of polycarbonate, it has been favored by many people. So how much does polycarbonate cost?
The price of polycarbonate is determined by many factors, such as:
The thickness of the required board, for example, multiwall polycarbonate can be 4mm to 20mm or even thicker,
Quality, that is, whether the raw material is new or recycled. Usually, the flexibility of the new material is good. If recycled materials are added, the color will become black and the board will be very brittle.
In addition, the price also depends on your customization requirements such as style, color, etc., quantity you want, etc.
At present, the price of hollow polycarbonate in the market is as follows:
This overview mainly discussed the concept, characteristics, types, toxicity, properties, advantages, disadvantages, mode of production, uses and price of polycarbonate. UNQ offers polycarbonate in various forms including sheets/kits. Contract us for a quote on your polycarbonate material needs.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit PC Corrugated Sheet.