Polycarbonate: Advantages and disadvantages

Polycarbonate, sometimes referred to as Lexan, is twice as light and 250 times stronger than standard glass and is therefore widely used for replacement glazing. In this blog, we&#;re going to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate.

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Key polycarbonate advantages

Polycarbonate disadvantages

• Fire-resistant
• Vandal-proof
• Hardwearing
• Insulating
• Lightweight
• Easy to machine

• Sensitive to scratches
• Can expand

Advantage: polycarbonate is fire-resistant

Unlike acrylic sheet, polycarbonate is resistant to fire and has a fire rating of B1, which means that the material will not burn with an open flame. Polycarbonate is actually self-extinguishing.

Advantage: resistant to vandalism

Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable and vandal-proof, making it the ideal choice of material for safety glazing. Examples include shelters, bicycle sheds, machines and technical products, illuminated signs and marine glazing.

Advantage: sustainable

Polycarbonate also scores highly in terms of sustainability. It has a long service lifespan and the panels are fully recyclable. Our polycarbonate sheets are also resistant to UV rays, making them suitable as a sheet material for exterior applications. Polycarbonate is perfect for a greenhouse, a boat window, basketball backboards or a terrace canopy.

Advantage: insulating

An important advantage of polycarbonate is that it retains heat very well so is ideal for greenhouses. A polycarbonate greenhouse creates an optimal microclimate for your plants.

Advantage: light in weight

Polycarbonate sheets are twice as light as standard glass. This makes it very easy to work with, especially for a project such as installing a patio canopy.

Advantage: easy to process

Polycarbonate is processed in in the same way as acrylic sheet. Whereas acrylic may sometimes melt if machined at too high a speed, there is no chance of this with polycarbonate. This material is stronger so that the risk of breakage is even lower than with moulded acrylic sheet. Polycarbonate can be sawn, milled, engraved, drilled, bent (hot), glued and polished in the same way as acrylic sheet.

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.

Disadvantage: Polycarbonate sheets can expand

Useful tip: The degree of expansion of polycarbonate is 0.065 mm per metre per degree Celsius. As long as you bear this fact in mind while processing, it shouldn&#;t be a problem. Make sure that mounting holes are wide enough to prevent the bolt or screw from sticking as the panel expands. Any glue or sealant used must be flexible.

Let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Polycarbonate roofing systems

So what is Polycarbonate Roofing?

Polycarbonate is a strong thermoplastic material that is lightweight, can withstand extremely temperatures (highs and lows), is relatively simple to install and is available in a multitude of colours and variants.

This durable and practical roofing material is perfect for conservatories, patios, and deck areas, but it&#;s not practical to cover the entire roof of a house.

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Where is Polycarbonate Roofing used?

There are a variety of uses for polycarbonate roofing sheets that commercial and industrial applications can take advantage of. You can choose between clear polycarbonate, foam backed polycarbonate roofing, corrugated polycarbonate sheets, multi-coloured. Here is some information about the two available types and the advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate sheets.

Different Types of Polycarbonate Roofing

Polycarbonate roofing is available in many different forms - Flat, floam-backed, corrugated, clear, coloured... The choices are enormous. But which is best for your next project?

Let's take a closer look and explore the most popular Polycarbonate roofing sheet options.

• Foam-backed Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

  Foam-backed Polycarbonate roofing is a lightweight option that is often used for industrial buildings such as factories and warehouses. The foam-backed nature of the sheets help to insulate the building, helping it stay warm in the winter. The protective coating helps reflect UV rays, keeping it cool in the summer. 

  Nowadays, it is becoming more common for homeowners to use Foam-backed Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets for carports, sheds, or other slightly sloped roofs due to its flexibility, appearance, ease of installation and thermal properties. 
   

• Clear Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

  This type of roofing is often used in sun rooms, patios, and other areas that require natural light to be let in through the roof. Most roofing panels also come with a protective film layer to filter out the sun&#;s UV rays.

  In addition, clear Polycarbonate roofing sheets are available in hundreds of colours, allowing you to show your flair

Other Uses of Polycarbonate

Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs are perhaps the most readily recognised examples of polycarbonate in the wild. If you&#;ve ever tried to break the CD before throwing it away you will know just how tough it can be. Quality sunglasses that block UV rays also consist of polycarbonate lenses, making them high impact resistant.

Pros & Cons of Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

Benefits of Polycarbonate Roofing:

• Polycarbonate sheets can be made to withstand huge forces and are virtually unbreakable. This is why they are used in the construction of bulletproof police shields.
• The UV blockage is another huge advantage of these panels, making them the perfect material choice for constructing awnings in commercial buildings.
• Polycarbonate panels are extremely light in weight, they can be easily transported and installed wherever they are required.
• The excellent properties of polycarbonate panels make them the preferred material for building greenhouses.
• Polycarbonate roofing panels are resistant to all four seasons - heat, sunlight, snow, and rain; Which enable Polycarbonate sheets to last for many years without fading, discolouring and distorting/deforming.
   

Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Roofing:

• The biggest disadvantage is their high price - certainly higher than plastic or glass and as a result, customers opt for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is tougher, but not impact and heat resistant. Although ABS is cheaper and offers a good solution to consumers, it is only recommended for people who don&#;t need the extreme toughness of polycarbonate panels.
• Although Polycarbonate is extremely strong, it is generally not scratch resistant and denting on the surface is possible if extra care is not taken.

Professional Polycarbonate Roofing Installation

Installing Polycarbonate roofing systems is quite straightforward, however, to avoid potential roofing disasters it is best to hire a professional roofers.

Morgan Asphalte are the leading providers of roofing services in the South East, offering repairs and renovations on a wide range of roofing materials.

The company is the world’s best PC Corrugated Sheet supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.