Traditionally, glass has been the preferred choice when it comes to transparent products for construction or design projects. However, the increasing popularity of polycarbonate sheets is making many architects, contractors and business owners reconsider their options. Both materials have different advantages, but you may find one option to be much more appropriate and economical choice than the other depending on your project.
Strength and Durability
By nature, glass is weak, meaning it will break easily with impact. Even tempered glass, which is stronger, will shatter under the right force. Polycarbonate sheets are nearly unbreakable (up to 200 times stronger), which is a total win for safety in the commercial and industrial applications where durability is the utmost priority.
Weight and Handling
Glass is significantly heavier than polycarbonate. The weight of a material always adds difficulty to handling and transportation, but weight also adds labor and materials because many times you will need stronger support structures for glass. Polycarbonate sheets or parts are light weight and easy to transport, cut, and install. Polycarbonate will also reduce overall structural weight.
Safety
When glass shatters, it produces dangerous sharp shards of glass that can pose a safety hazard. Polycarbonate is a safer alternative, as it will bend or crack before shattering, making it a better option for facilities like schools or hospitals, or industrial applications where occupant or employee safety is a requirement.
Light Transmission and UV Protection
One of glass's greatest benefits is its clarity and ability to allow daylight in. However, modern polycarbonate sheets can rival glass providing similar levels of light transmission without sacrificing UV protection. Unlike ordinary glass which may require specific coatings, polycarbonate panels have built-in UV protection, blocking out harmful UV rays, reducing heat, and protecting interior fabrics and finishes against fading.
Thermal and Weather Resistance
While glass has a great performance profile in moderate climates, it can be less efficient in extreme environments. Polycarbonate sheets are engineered to perform in harsh environments, including heavy snow, hail, extreme winds, and extreme temperature changes ranging from -40 °C to +120 °C, making them ideal for outdoor installations, greenhouses, and industrial applications.
Cost and Value
Clear polycarbonate sheets may appear more expensive than glass upfront, however, in the long run, you will always get better value for money with polycarbonate sheets. The strength and durability of polycarbonates, combined with ease of installation and minimal ongoing maintenance, means polycarbonate is the most cost-effective solution long term.
Aesthetics and Versatility
For centuries, glass has been admired for its elegant, timeless appeal. In many ways, glass is still unbeatable in this regard. However, polycarbonate sheets in the right applications are versatile enough, with different finishes, textures, and colors, to be more than a viable design option, as they are stylish alternatives to glass that also perform.
Final Decision
So, when it comes to making a decision between polycarbonate sheets or glass; there is no debate.
If your project is concerned with long-term durability, safe use, and optimal performance, then you can be certain polycarbonate is the direction you want to go. Glass is still a good option when the owner wants to display accents as purely decorative purposes. In regard to commercial, residential, and industrial applications where the intended use of the material is concerning strength and practicality, polycarbonate sheets are an undeniably good value. Explore polycarbonate sheets offered by us.