The roof of a structure serves not only as a form of protection from weather elements but also as a way to establish light quality, thermal comfort, durability, and long-term value of that building whether the building is commercial in nature, industrial in nature, a conservatory, or a patio. Two of the more common choices for roofing materials that allow for light to come into the structure are polycarbonate sheets and glass panels. Both materials have benefits and disadvantages associated with them, as well as costs associated with them; therefore it is important to understand these materials in order to select the right one based upon your goals for your project.
Polycarbonate Roofing
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic (high strength), transparent material that provides superior strength against impact at a lower weight than traditional materials, as well as many other advantages. In addition, a majority of the polycarbonate roofing sheets manufactured today have UV protection to protect from sun damage & heat transfer.
Glass Roofing
Glass roofing is constructed from tempered or laminated glass to provide a clear, classic look. Glass roofing provides excellent optical clarity and longevity when constructed using the proper structural framing and drainage systems.
Head-to-Head Comparison
1. Strength & Safety: Polycarbonate is very strong and virtually unbreakable compared to glass and is therefore ideal in high-storm, hail, wind or safety concerns.
Glass roofing is strong, but brittle and therefore may crack very easily from a hard impact unless it has been treated in some special manner.
Polycarbonate is the winner for the ability to resist impact.
2. Weight & Building Load: Polycarbonate sheets are far less weighty than glass, significantly reducing the amount of structural support needed; this means lower labor costs for installation.
On the other hand, the weight of the glass requires that the supporting frames be much stronger than if polycarbonate were used; this requires more labor and care when being installed properly.
In this case, polycarbonate sheets once again are the clear winner; they are easier to install than glass sheets.
3. Light Transmission & Aesthetic Appeal: While glass gives a clear visual experience and sharper transparency than polycarbonate, both materials offer enough light transmission for any application; the aesthetic differences can often be considered minor, unless you're looking for a premium glass look vs. the "softer" look of polycarbonate.
For this category, glass remains the victor due to the clarity of glass and the traditional aesthetic of glass.
4. Thermal and UV Radiation Temperatures: Polycarbonate sheets can virtually always be purchased with a built-in UV shield, so they reduce heat (or thermal) gain when used with a low glass coating, which also increases insulating performance; therefore, they provide energy efficiency.
Polycarbonate sheets have a greater amount of light transmission than glass, however, they do not retain heat as well as glass does unless the glass is specially insulated (which costs more).
Polycarbonate sheets win in the insulating qualities; glass sheets are the best for natural light with excellent optical clarity.
5. Ability To Withstand Years And Years Of Weathering: If properly cared for, abused, or scratched, glass can sustain its clarity for decades after installation. The common characteristics of polycarbonate materials tend to lose their clarity and become yellowed quickly if they do not have a quality UV shield.
Clearly, glass remains the victor in this category, while polycarbonate has a definite advantage in weather resilience.
Understanding the Cost of Polycarbonate versus Glass Roofs
When it comes to price, polycarbonate roofing generally costs less to install than glass roofing since polycarbonate is lighter than glass. This lightness also allows for less expensive shipping and handling costs. Polycarbonate can be installed quicker and with fewer resources due to the labor required for installation being less than that of glass. Maintenance is easy since cleaning requires nothing more than basic cleaning products. Conversely, glass panel roofs, especially those that are either tempered or laminated and intended for the top side of the roof will have a significantly higher material cost; as they are heavier than a polycarbonate roof, installation will take longer, require more people and labor, and long term maintenance on glass roofs will oftentimes require a professional to clean or repair the glass.
Which Roofing Material Should You Select?
Polycarbonate roofing will be your best choice for your project if safety and impact resistance are your top concerns, if you need to have fast and lightweight installation as your top consideration, if controlling your project budget is your top concern, or if you require your roofing system to be energy efficient. Furthermore, a polycarbonate roof will be an ideal choice if insulation, UV resistance, and durability are your goals as opposed to absolute visual clarity.