Polycarbonate Sheets &#; Your Questions Answered

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As one of the UK&#;s largest suppliers of multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets and solid polycarbonate sheets we often get asked practical and technical questions about our products.  Here we will try to answer the most common questions to hopefully help you choose the polycarbonate for your project.  

Which is better PVC or polycarbonate roofing?

Generally, polycarbonate is a better material for roofing projects.  Polycarbonate tends to be longer lasting, stronger and easier to work with.  Having said that PVC roofing sheets are certainly not a bad choice.  Corrugated PVC sheets are a cheaper material to purchase and modern PVC is UV protected to avoid brittleness making it a great choice for roofing.  Corrugated PVC sheets also have a better light transmission than twinwall polycarbonate as they are a single skin and fitting corrugated roofing sheets can be an easier job than fitting polycarbonate as there are no glazing bars involved.  However, from our experience of supplying both polycarbonate and PVC roofing sheets for many years in the UK polycarbonate is worth the extra cost over PVC as the benefit of insulation, lifespan and strength is a key deciding factor for most customers.  

What thickness polycarbonate should I use for roof?

This depends on several factors.  Firstly, you should ask yourself what you want from your roof?  Do you need to retain heat in your conservatory, summer room or shed?  Or is your main objective to provide shelter for an outdoor seating area, canopy or pergola? 

In basic terms the thicker the polycarbonate roofing sheets the more insulation it will provide.  This means if you are constructing a roof that is open on all sides using a thicker sheet such as 25mm or 35mm could be seen as wasteful as you will not reap the reward from the insulation value.  Likewise using a 10mm sheet on a conservatory roof where you want to keep heated would not be a wise move. 

As a general guide 10mm sheets are used for pergolas, canopies and carports using rafter supported glazing bars on a timber frame.  16mm polycarbonate sheets are mostly used for basic conservatories lean to&#;s, smoking shelters and walkways.  25mm and 35mm sheets are the more &#;premium&#; sheets which are mainly used in conservatories, koi pond covers and high roofing applications.  16mm, 25mm and 35mm sheets can also be used with self support glazing bars which do not require a frame underneath. 

In summary there is no right or wrong when selecting which sheet to use for you roof as there is a sheet for every project.  Our team of advisors are on hand should you need help selecting the perfect sheet for you project &#; just contact us or click the &#;HELP&#; button below. 

What are the disadvantages of polycarbonate sheets?

The benefits of polycarbonate sheets far outweigh the disadvantages.  The main disadvantage of fluted polycarbonate roofing sheets is the noise you get from rain.  As sheets are effectively hollow rain noise can be exaggerated and gives a drumming sound in heavy showers. 

Both fluted sheets and solid sheets are also susceptible to fine scratches &#; normally due to improper cleaning.  On fluted sheets scratches are not normally visible but on solid sheets can be very noticeable.  It is important to follow good cleaning techniques and not use any harsh chemicals on polycarbonate.  Polycarbonate sheets should only ever be cleaned using warm soapy water. 

How long does polycarbonate roofing last?

It will largely depend on where the sheets are going to be used.  Firstly, it is important to recognise that all our polycarbonate sheets &#; both fluted and solid &#; are supplied with a manufacturers ten-year limited warranty.  However we would expect sheets to last way beyond this if fitted correctly and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines. 

Modern sheets should not yellow or become embrittled nor puncture in normal weather conditions.  Sheets should always be installed in the correct manner to avoid premature ageing &#; following manufacturer&#;s instructions and maintained regularly.  If this is carried out we would expect most sheets to last between 10 and 20 years. 

How do you attach polycarbonate roofing sheets?

There are two ways in which polycarbonate roofing sheets are installed.  For roofs constructed from timber the sheets are fitted using rafter supported glazing bars whereby a two-piece glazing bar is installed atop of your timber rafter which clamps the polycarbonate on the edge of the sheets.  When you reach your final rafter an F-Section is used to terminate the roof and hide the joint beneath the polycarbonate sheet and the final rafter. 

For roofs where no timber is going to be used then a self supported roofing system should be used.  Self support glazing bars do not require a timber beneath and only need to be supported at the top and bottom of the bar.  These systems lend themselves to better to conservatory roofs and like the rafter supported system are a join the sheets together using a snap down top cap.  For the end rafters an edge bar should be used. 

Is polycarbonate roofing noisy in rain?

Fluted polycarbonate roofing sheets are fairly noisy when compared to a glass roof when it rains.  This is because the sheets are hollow so magnify the sound of the drops hitting the surface of the sheet.  Solid polycarbonate sheets do not suffer with this as they are a dense solid material. 

How do you walk on a polycarbonate roof?

We do not recommend walking directly on polycarbonate sheets under any circumstances.  Whilst sheets are incredibly strong they remain flexible so if stood upon can bend.  If sheets bend enough they can &#;pop out&#; of the glazing bars meaning you will fall through the roof. 

Should you need to get on top of your polycarbonate roof this should be done with the use of a crawl board to spread the load of your weight across multiple bars and sheets.  We recommend only doing this when absolutely necessary. 

Does polycarbonate roofing turn yellow?

Modern polycarbonate sheets are UV protected to prevent yellowing.  Many years ago, when polycarbonate was first produced sheets were supplied without adequate UV protection.  This led to a lot of sheets prematurely ageing, becoming yellow and leading to breakage from heavy rain.  Modern sheets by comparison are far more advanced in this field.  All of our polycarbonate roofing sheets are supplied with UV protection co-extruded into one side of the sheet.  This means that sheets will withstand the harmful UV of sunlight and last for years to come.  It is important with these sheets to ensure the UV protection layer is facing outwards / upwards upon installation &#; generally this is highlighted in writing on the protective film of the sheet.  However once the protective film is removed it impossible to know for sure which side is up and which is down so be careful during the installation process! 

All of our solid polycarbonate sheets are 2UV meaning they are UV protected on both sides.  This means they are suitable for use outdoors and can be used either way around. 

What should you not use on polycarbonate?

Harsh abrasive chemicals and cleaners should not be used on polycarbonate sheets.  Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic which can be badly affected by non-approved chemicals.  The only product we recommend for cleaning polycarbonate is warm soapy water and the only silicone that should be used is low modulus neutral cure that is specifically &#;suitable for polycarbonate&#; 

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit songmei.

Hopefully in this guide we have answered some of the most common questions however our experienced, knowledgeable team is on hand to answer any other questions you might have.  You can contact us for a call back or click the &#;HELP&#; button below for or assistance. 

Polycarbonate Sheet: Ultimate FAQ Guide

We covered a lot of the topics related to polycarbonate sheets and their applications. But still, there are a ton of basic questions we get every day from our readers.

So we&#;ve decided to put all the questions in one place, to help the readers find their desired question easily and in one place. If you&#;re considering buying PC sheets anytime soon, you just need to read all the answers here, and you&#;ll be an expert as well. So without further adieu, let&#;s see what those questions are.

What is A Polycarbonate Sheet?

Polycarbonate is a transparent and robust thermoplastic material used in multiple applications for its strength and durability. It contains carbonate groups in its structure, which makes them so strong and flexible at the same time.

What Are The Applications Or Uses Of Polycarbonate Sheets?

Polycarbonate is used widely for canopies, roofing panels, and windows due to its strength and safe nature. It&#;s also used in building greenhouses because of its UV-resistant ability.

PC plastics are also used in electrical and automotive parts. The transparent and heat-resistant ability makes it suitable for numerous applications in these industries. There are many types of polycarbonate, different types offer different applications, maybe you can know more information from the following blogs:

How strong is a polycarbonate sheet?

It&#;s one of the most rigid forms of plastic that we can find. PC sheets offer incredibly high strength, among other alternatives. It&#;s almost 200 times stronger than glass material and 30 times stronger than the acrylic sheet.

What is a better polycarbonate or Acrylic?

Acrylic is another widely used thermoplastic material that has a lot of applications. The critical difference between these two plastics is that PC plastics are made out of carbonate groups, whereas acrylic is composed of a chloride group.

Want to know the difference between acrylic and polycarbonate. And how to identify Polycarbonate from Acrylic.

How long do polycarbonate panels last?

Polycarbonate is a robust material that has a lifespan of 10-20 years on average. The superior strength and durability allow this plastic to last longer than other alternatives. This is the reason why PC sheets are used widely in roofing panels and other outdoor applications.

To know everything about polycarbonate.

Is polycarbonate expensive?

Compared with other alternatives, yes. But when you consider the durability, applications, and lifespan of this plastic, you could easily see how it delivers more value than any other alternatives.
Polycarbonate sheet has outstanding strength and durability with UV resistance ability, perfect for many outdoor applications like a greenhouse or industrial roofing panels.

If you need a quote for this, get in touch with us now!

Can you drill holes in polycarbonate?

Yes. Polycarbonate sheets can be easily drilled and cut. Standard drill bits are suitable for PC materials. Still, we recommend using special drill bits designed to drill plastic material to avoid any damages before drilling, first make a pilot hole and start drilling from there.

Want to know how to drill polycarbonate;

Related Blogs About Polycarbonate and Acrylic

Can polycarbonate plastic be recycled?

This is an entirely recyclable plastic material that allows it not to damage the environment and use less raw materials.

How to bend polycarbonate sheets?

Polycarbonate is a robust material with outstanding flexibility. We can bend the sheet with a heating method. Just make sure the bending line is getting equal heat and if the sheet is thicker, apply heat on both sides equally, which will deliver the best result.

Another cool part of PC sheets is that unlike acrylic or any other alternative, they can be cold bent. This means you can bend the sheet without even applying any heat to the material. This due to the extreme flexibility of the plastic. You&#;ll need to consider the spring ability and require the bending tool to get the best result.

How to cut polycarbonate sheets?

Unlike acrylic sheets, polycarbonate sheets can not be cut with a scoring knife; we recommend using a circular saw for this job. A Circular saw will give you the best result while cutting a larger sheet. Otherwise, a jigsaw can be used as well.

Why is polycarbonate a better choice for extreme weather conditions areas?

As you already know, PC material is tough and durable. But the reason it&#;s used in extreme weather conditions is its high impact-resistant ability. This material can withstand extreme rough weather conditions like heavy rains, cyclones, or any other situation. It&#;s also heat resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas with high temperatures.

Polycarbonate sheet is the perfect choice for earthquake-prone areas. Because if you use other materials like glass or thin plastics, you will likely have to change the material once or twice every year. In contrast, PC sheets can withstand earthquakes or other high impacts.

Manufacturer of texture polycarbonate

Blue texture polycarbonate sheet

Are polycarbonate roofs good?

Polycarbonate roofing panels are one of the best choices you can find on the market. If you&#;re concerned about the strength, durability, impact, and UV resistant material that will last longer than ten years or more, you&#;ll love PC roofing panels.

Maybe you need polycarbonate facade panel.

Which is better glass or polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is 200 times more potent than glass and offers more durability and workability for any application. On top of that, pc sheets are significantly impact-resistant and weather-resistant, making it a better choice for areas where high impact or harsh weather conditions may occur.

Another great advantage of a PC sheet is that it blocks harmful UV rays while transmitting better light than glass materials. Although it has far more strength than glass, PC sheets are way lighter than glass and have better workability.

Other than these benefits, polycarbonate sheets are better than glass in every aspect. However, the price of glass material is lower, if you consider the durability and life span of both materials, you&#;ll want to avoid glass.

Does polycarbonate absorb heat?

Unlike glass or other alternatives, polycarbonate sheets don&#;t absorb heat. Their heat-resistant capability allows them to block heat, rain, snow, or even UV rays, making them a perfect choice for roofing panels and greenhouses.

How can you tell the difference between acrylic and polycarbonate?

Acrylic is often lighter than polycarbonate and has better transparency. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between these two is, look at the edges. The edge of acrylic sheets tends to appear clear while the edge of polycarbonate sheets is blueish.

Is polycarbonate sheet bulletproof?

Yes. Many polycarbonate sheets are bulletproof and are now widely used in vehicles, windows or other applications. Because of the many setbacks of bulletproof glass, bulletproof PC materials are widely used now.

Polycarbonate vs acrylic which is better for me?

Depending on your needs and requirements, you&#;ll have to choose the perfect option for you. For example, if you need plastic material for small aquariums or skylights, I&#;ll suggest using acrylic sheets because it offers more light transmission and transparency than the others.

On the other hand, polycarbonate sheets are better for large aquariums for greenhouses because of their strength and heat-resistant abilities.

Want to know the difference between Lexan Vs. Acrylic.

Can I use a polycarbonate sheet for the greenhouse?

Of course! This plastic material is now the favorite for building greenhouses. Because of the heat and UV resistant capacity, it makes the perfect choice for greenhouses worldwide. Also, the impact resistance and robust abilities allow it to withstand harsh weather conditions and last for a long time.

Where can I get the best polycarbonate sheet at a good price?

If you&#;re looking to buy the top-quality material at the best price, you&#;re in the right place. I&#;m not asking for a commitment right now. Just have a chat with us and compare our quality and price with other manufacturers, you&#;ll make a better decision by yourself.

Conclusion

That&#;s all from my side. Now it&#;s your turn!

Have I missed out on something important? Is there anything you&#;d like us to add here? Then leave a message in our chatbox and we&#;ll respond to you as early as possible.
See you in the next guide!

About UVPLASTIC

UVPLASTIC is a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate in China. Meantime, UVPLASTIC provides designing and machining polycarbonate service. The subsidiary-UVACRYLIC, which is a leading manufacturer of acrylic sheets in China, provides custom acrylic. If you are interested in these products, please contact us!

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