Polycarbonate sheets are becoming a common material for all kinds of projects, from agricultural to commercial to residential projects throughout Canada. Alternately to glass and traditional plastic sheets, the strength and versatility of polycarbonate sheets make them the right material for building and constructing things like greenhouses, patios, and industrial roofs. Because of these properties, polycarbonate sheets are an excellent choice for areas subject to extreme weather, such as heavy rainfall, hail, or unintentional impacts. Like any type of construction material, polycarbonate sheets have both their pros and cons; therefore, knowledge of the benefits and limitations of polycarbonate sheets provides builders, facility managers, and property owners with the opportunity to evaluate whether or not polycarbonate sheets would be the best option for their need.
Advantages of Polycarbonate Sheets
One of the primary advantages associated with using polycarbonate sheets is that they are extremely resistant to impact. Polycarbonate sheets are many times stronger than glass and most plastic options, and they will not typically crack or shatter when subjected to accidental impact or extreme weather conditions. Polycarbonate sheets are a good option for areas that receive a lot of rain or hail, or when you are concerned about unintentional impact from people or objects.
Another significant advantage of polycarbonate sheets is their light weight. Polycarbonate sheets may be very strong, but that does not mean they are complicated or difficult to work with. The lighter weight of polycarbonate sheets enables you to work with them more easily and thus reduces the labour required to install or use them in a construction project, leading to less time spent on actual installation of large roofing panels, greenhouse structures, and covered outdoor living areas.
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has several features which allow high levels of light to pass through them, making them perfect for lighting areas where natural light is important. Some applications of polycarbonate sheets include:
- Greenhouses
- Patios
- Skylights
- Roof Panels
These materials have an additional advantage over other materials such as acrylic because they have superior durability when exposed to outdoor elements.
Polycarbonate panels have an added weather resistance, meaning they can withstand temperature fluctuations, heavy downpours, blizzards, and even long periods of sun exposure. In addition, many quality polycarbonate sheets will have UV protective coatings. This coating protects the polycarbonate sheet from the sun's rays, and therefore prevents yellowing, or degradation of the material.
Polycarbonate has another advantage, providing superior insulation properties, especially with multi-wall panels. A polycarbonate panel with at least two walls creates an airspace between the panels, which acts as insulation.
Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Sheets
In addition to these advantages, there are some disadvantages that one should consider before purchasing polycarbonate panels. Although polycarbonate panels are extremely durable, they are not scratch-proof completely. Compared to glass, polycarbonate has a lower tolerance to abrasive materials and if a sheet is cleaned using an abrasive cleaner or comes into contact with rough surfaces, then scratching may occur. To preserve the clarity of polycarbonate sheets, it is essential to use proper cleaning techniques and care for the panels.
Finally, one must consider the cost of polycarbonate sheets. While their initial purchase price may be higher than those of basic plastic or PVC panels, due to the longevity of the product and lower maintenance requirements, the overall cost is usually offset by the durability of the product over time.
The next thing to consider when using polycarbonate sheets is heat expansion. Polycarbonate will expand and contract due to thermal expansion significantly more than glass or metal. If polycarbonate sheet is installed incorrectly (not allowing for expansion) it can cause to warp over time or put stress on the fasteners that hold it in place.
You should also keep in mind that while polycarbonate sheets that are manufactured with a UV protection coat will work when used outdoors; low-quality polycarbonate sheets without UV protection will lose their colour over time. Therefore, when selecting polycarbonate sheet, always ensure that you are using panels that have been manufactured with a certification for UV stability.
Summary
In summary, polycarbonate is an excellent material for greenhouse, patio, agricultural and commercial roofing because it provides high strength, high light transmission, excellent weather resistance and versatility. While polycarbonate sheets may require correct installation and care to prevent scratching and thermal expansion, their long-term performance, overall durability and usefulness outshines their limitations.
Therefore, for any project requiring impact resistance, natural light and reliable use in changing weather conditions, polycarbonate sheets are one of today's most forward-thinking, practical material choices. Explore our collection today.