What is Polycarbonate and Where can It be Used?

Put simply, polycarbonate is a tough thermoplastic that is used in a myriad of ways. Unlike most other plastics, it has the ability to absorb heat, which makes it incredibly energy efficient and a fantastic insulator. Polycarbonate is also lightweight, making it easy to work with on-site. A highly sustainable material, polycarbonate can even be melted down, cooled, and reused – limiting unnecessary waste in landfills. Plus, it is highly resistant to high temperatures and UV light, preventing warping or discoloration in the sun. Thanks to these superb advantages, this material has almost unlimited applications, but polycarbonate roofing can be installed on:

Polycarbonate sheets can also be used for many other glazing applications, including sports shelters, bike racks, security barriers and more. There really are few materials more versatile.

Polycarbonate vs Glass

Polycarbonate and glass have both established themselves as reliable glazing solutions. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages, which are summarized here:

Polycarbonate Glass
Impact Resistant (200x stronger than glass) Fragile
Lightweight and easy to work with Must be handled with great care
Low maintenance Needs regular cleaning
Significantly cheaper than glass More expensive than polycarbonate
Vulnerable to scratches Scratch-resistant
Allows in up to 70% of light (clear finish) 100% light transmission

As you can see, from a roofing and utility-based perspective, glass just can’t come close to polycarbonate. It’s stronger, lighter, cheaper, and much simpler to maintain. The only reason to opt for glass would be aesthetics and increased light transmission. While polycarbonate does not offer the same clean, crisp finish of glass, you still have a wide range of finishes to choose from to create a beautiful roof in its own right. Find out how to install polycarbonate roofing sheets here.