Polycarbonate sheeting is six times lighter than standard glass panels, making installation quicker and easier than installation of glass. This can be a big advantage over glass when it comes to construction because less material is needed to support polycarbonate than standard glass.
Weight: 6mm solid polycarbonate sheet weighs 7.2kg/ m2, substantially less than the glass alternative – 7.5mm laminated glass weighs 15kg/m2. Use of polycarbonate glazing can therefore offer a safer long-term solution for the building due to reducing the strain imposed on the existing structural steelwork.
Despite the many advantages to using polycarbonate panels as roofing material, there are only a couple of downsides. One downside to polycarbonate sheets is that they are not scratch resistant and denting or scratching on the surface is possible if extra caution and care are not taken.
Polycarbonate offers the best of both worlds: It's 200 times stronger and more than 50% lighter, without compromising on natural daylight transmission and high clarity.
For starters, polycarbonate is crystal clear - just like glass - and so can be used as a glass replacement whenever a see-through material is desired. As we have already discussed, it has an incredibly resilient material and is typically 250 times stronger than glass.
Standard transparent polycarbonate sheeting will yellow with prolonged exposure to UV radiation. Polycarbonate items that will be exposed to UV radiation are often made opaque to avoid this unsightly yellowing effect.
Disadvantage: Sensitive to scratches
The main disadvantage of polycarbonate is that it isn't resistant to scratches. For example, if a branch should happen to fall on a patio canopy made of polycarbonate, it may be scratched. This problem can be solved by polishing the polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate is considered almost unbreakable, giving it a very clear advantage over glass in safety. It can withstand extreme force during harsh weather and can replace glass in places like schools, subways, bus shelters, greenhouses and hospitals.
That said, even though polycarbonate glazing is made from "plastic," it doesn't tend to feel "plasticy." The makeup of bulletproof polycarbonate glazing is such that it still looks and feels like traditional window glass to most casual observers.
Polycarbonate, an amorphous glassy thermoplastic, is susceptible to cracking or crazing when under stress and in contact with a chemical environment. 1 Much of the polycarbonate molded into medical devices comes in contact with, or is attached to, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Polycarbonate is a popular type of plastic because it is highly resistant to damage. However, climate and location influence the lifespan of polycarbonate roofs. Nonetheless, these roof types have a lifespan of 10-20 years and are an excellent option for your next roofing project.
Transparency, excellent toughness, thermal stability and a very good dimensional stability make Polycarbonate (PC) one of the most widely used engineering thermoplastics.
Because polycarbonate is very light and is virtually unbreakable, it won't do much damage if part of the roof falls. Polycarbonate is also less expensive than glass and is much easier to work with.
Yes, polycarbonate conservatories are usually 3-4 times cheaper than glass conservatories.
Polycarbonate (Lexan) - Clear General Purpose - 1/2"
Polycarbonate, aka lexan, is a tough and durable plastic material which is hundreds of times stronger than glass and many times stronger than acrylic. Polycarbonate will meet those demanding applications where glass and acrylic fall short.
The first problem is UV stability. While UV stability of plastics has improved dramatically over the last few decades, polycarbonate does not have the UV stability of glass which seems to be all but impervious to the damaging effects of the sun.
However, as shown in the study, polycarbonate does not differ from other polymers and decomposes over time, during which bisphenol A (BPA) is released.
Advantages of Glass Over Polycarbonate
The other drawback to polycarbonate over glass is that polycarbonate is more easily scratched. However, anti-scratch coatings can be applied to make it significantly more scratch-resistant.
If you're using polycarbonate, we recommend a minimum thickness of 3mm for applications such as replacing shed windows to provide adequate security. If you're replacing or installing greenhouse panes, you may want to opt for 4mm instead.
Polycarbonate offers much more resilience than acrylic, making it ideal for highly demanding applications like bullet-resistant windows. Acrylic has a high gloss finish and is more transparent, making it ideal for display cases. Acrylic is also easier to crack, while polycarbonate is easier to scratch.
Aside from the BPA, polycarbonate can be toxic to the environment if left untended or disposed of wrongly. It's made from plastic, and plastic can be pretty harmful to the environment.
If you are interested in clarity and light transmittance, acrylic sheets will outperform polycarbonate sheets. On the other hand, if you are looking for high impact resistance, polycarbonate sheeting is the obvious choice. Even though each plastic can share the same form, they will function very differently.
Is Polycarbonate Affordable? If you're worried about the price of polycarbonate window replacements, you may be surprised to hear just how affordable it is. In fact, thermoplastics are actually known for being more affordable than traditional glass. The material itself is cost effective.
Glass is optically superior but is also prone to shattering and can be very heavy if you have a high sphere and /or high cyl prescription. Polycarbonate is much lighter and thinner than other lens materials but can be very expensive depending on your prescription.