Everything you need to know about Polycarbonate roofing sheets
With a wide range of polycarbonate roofing sheets to choose between, it can be understandably daunting for prospective customers to know whether or not a polycarbonate roof is suitable for their needs. If you’re wondering which varieties to consider and how polycarbonate roofing compares to other materials like glass roofing, look no further.
Here, we will look at the absolute basics of polycarbonate roofing sheets and delve deeper into their various properties and the advantages of using them in your next building project.
What is Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic used for numerous wide-reaching purposes, but particularly in construction for its ease of moulding, formation and incredible strength. In terms of use as roofing, polycarbonate panels have fewer disadvantages compared with materials such as glass or metal, making them ideal for roofing. Polycarbonate panels are resistant to heat, sunlight, snow and rain, meaning that they can last many years and provide a cost-effective solution for both domestic and commercial properties.
Different thicknesses for different builds
Polycarbonate roofing is not only durable and lightweight, but it is also very versatile as a roofing sheet – and, because it is manufactured in different thicknesses, it is suitable for several types of roofing.
At Varico, we offer a wide range of polycarbonate products available in a range of thickness. While the majority of our customers look for thickness of between 4mm and 35mm, we can cut and tailor our polycarbonate to suit your exacting construction requirements.
Using 4mm polycarbonate sheets in place of glass for greenhouses make for a safer and virtually unbreakable alternative. The 10mm or 16mm variants are popular when building carports, canopies, and pergolas, as well in awnings for commercial buildings because of their UV ray blocking properties. 25mm, 32mm, and 35mm are used for constructing conservatory roofs and are often chosen for their superiority to glass in strength, durability and weather resistance.
Tints and shades
The different tints and shades of polycarbonate roofing are not just for aesthetic purposes. Each colour and shade has a different effect on the light, solar (UV radiation) and heat that can penetrate.
Clear polycarbonate, for example, offers high light and solar transmission, making it ideal for greenhouses and outdoor spaces. Opal and bronze, on the other hand, delivers much lower levels of transmission – but it offers the same 1.5 UW/m2k thermal conductivity.
Other benefits of polycarbonate roofing
While flexibility is one of the most celebrated features of polycarbonate roofing, there are other benefits to using such material for your outdoor roofing. One is the fact it is lightweight, impact and shatter-resistant and can be moulded to suit unusual roofing designs – ideal if you’re working on a bespoke project and want to offer something special to your clients.
There you have it – everything there is to know about using polycarbonate roofing sheets in your next building project. If you’re still not sure whether or not the material is right for you, get in touch with the Varico team today.