Whether you are building a conservatory, creating a lean to roof or roofing your garden pergola, polycarbonate sheeting will likely be one of the top roofing options you will consider. As a lightweight and stronger alternative to glass, polycarbonate is a cost-effective glazing solution that is easy to install whilst creating a stunning finish.
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Buying polycarbonate sheeting online or in-store can be overwhelming so in this buying guide we are going to cover everything you need to know when purchasing polycarbonate roof sheets for your project. We are going to cover common questions about choosing polycarbonate for your project, comparing alternatives, installing polycarbonate and more!
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Polycarbonate Sheeting Overview
Polycarbonate Sheeting is popular compared to other lower grades of plastic sheets, such as Pet G and Acrylic, due to its durability and installer-friendly properties. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic sheet that was first discovered in the mid-s but only really came into more mainstream use in the early s when more modern technologies allowed it to be manufactured with crystal clear clarity! Prior to this polycarbonate was made with a brown tint, or cognac coloured as they called it.
Fast forward to today and polycarbonate sheeting is one of the most popular plastic sheets manufactured and used in millions of applications globally every year.
Due to Polycarbonate&#;s unique mix of qualities, it is one of the most versatile materials you will find. It can be used in a wide range of applications both at home and commercially, from canopy glazing to carports to cloches! Since the spread of Covid, people will have been used to seeing it being used as cough screens and protection barriers in shops, offices and public areas more regularly, however, polycarbonates most common use is a roofing sheet. Popular places where polycarbonates sheet is used include:
Polycarbonate sheeting also is used on many other glazing projects such as stadium dugouts, screening, car wash bay screens and a host of more unique uses! This is why it is unbeatable as a glazing sheet option.
Broadly speaking there are two main types of polycarbonate sheets which are solid polycarbonate and multiwall polycarbonate. When considering multiwall polycarbonate, it is often split into Twinwall polycarbonate sheets and multiwall polycarbonate sheeting, however, in essence, these are the same, just different quantities of internal walls!
Both types of polycarbonate sheeting as equally as durable and easy to install meaning the choice between them is more about looks, budget and strength.
In a nutshell, solid polycarbonate is a plastic sheet that looks like glass but is a stronger and lighter alternative. At up to 200x stronger than standard glass of the same thickness, solid polycarbonate has the &#;glass look&#; but is virtually unbreakable and only weighs half as much as glass.
Solid Polycarbonate sheets come in a range of thicknesses from 2 to 12mm with the 6mm thickness tending to be the most popular and widely used. To suit different applications, solid polycarbonate is manufactured in a range of tints including clear, bronze, opal, black and patterned.
Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are manufactured from various layers which create a honeycomb type structure. Ever popular, multiwall sheeting is the most common type of polycarbonate sheeting due to its affordable cost and superior thermal insulation. Much like Solid Polycarbonate sheets, multiwall polycarbonate comes in a range of tints including clear, bronze and opal. The most popular thickness of multiwall polycarbonate is 16mm, however, we also manufacture multiwall bigger thicknesses of 25mm and 35mm.
Twinwall polycarbonate is identical to multiwall polycarbonate but just has two layers rather than multiple layers &#; as the name suggests! Twinwall polycarbonate is available in a range of three thicknesses including 4mm, 6mm and 10mm giving different strength options for different types of roofs.
Primarily used for smaller projects, the Twinwall polycarbonate comes in clear mainly but also opal and bronze in the 10mm thickness. It is worth noting that 4mm and 6mm polycarbonate sheets are not recommended for roofing projects but rather as cost-effective plastic sheeting for smaller garden applications like cloches and cold frames.
Polycarbonate Sheeting Pros & Cons
Both solid and multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets provide a wide range of benefits for installers making them an excellent choice for a variety of roof projects.
Virtually unbreakable: A key benefit of polycarbonate sheets is their robustness and impact resistance which means they are virtually unbreakable! Be aware most plastics are not like this as, unlike acrylics and other plastic sheeting, polycarbonate can be hit with a base bat or football and survive! Homeowners can comfortably install polycarbonate, more so solid sheets, without worrying about the fragility to hail or a stray football coming from the garden!
Lightweight: Ease of installation is a key consideration when you are choosing a roofing sheet to use and a big part of that is weight. Heavy options like glass can cause handling challenges, especially when high up on a roof. Solid polycarbonate is around half the weight of glass of the same thickness and multiwall polycarbonate around is 1/10 the weight of glass of the same thickness! For example,
Easy to cut and drill: Another area polycarbonate shines in is how easy it is to cut and drill. Polycarbonate is undoubtedly the easiest plastic sheet to cut and drill. No need for installers to worry if a sheet is needing to be trimmed down as it can be down easily and neatly. Read on to find out how to cut polycarbonate and how to drill polycarbonate in later sections. Clear Amber Shop can also cut to size for you if you are still unsure.
Long-lasting clarity: UV Protected: Proper UV protection is important on clear roofing sheets to ensure long lasting clarity and light transmission. All our polycarbonate sheets, Twinwall, multiwall and solid, are UV protected on one or two sides to give a great roof lifespan! UV protected sheets are not to be confused with UV stable or UV resistant which are seen on some sheets (like PVC) and aren&#;t as effective. You may well have noticed cracked and mouldy bus stops and bike shelters in your area when non-UV protected plastic has been used and the difference is stark!
Insulating: Polycarbonate naturally retains heat very well and so has great thermal insulation qualities. Multiwall polycarbonate in particular provides great levels of thermal insulation, making it ideal for lean to home extension and conservatories. In general, the bigger thicker gauge multiwall sheets offer higher insulation levels.
Sustainable: Polycarbonate has a great lifespan and the plastic roof panels are fully recyclable once finished!
Fire-resistant: Polycarbonate is fire resistant and unlike acrylic is self-extinguishing.
A well-maintained polycarbonate roof can last between 10 and 20 years! Ensuring your roof will last its full expected lifespan is dependent on using the correct glazing bars and installation methods. It is well worth investing a little more time and money into purchasing the correct fixtures and fixings before starting your project.
Yes, multiwall and solid polycarbonate comes UV protected as standard. We often get asked: &#;Why is UV protection required on plastic sheets?&#;. UV protection is essential to protect roofing sheets from going brittle or yellowing over time.
All our Solid Polycarbonate Sheeting is UV Protected on both sides to give a high-quality finish. Our Multiwall Polycarbonate is UV protected on the outer side so it should always be installed with that that side out towards the sun.
There are honestly very few disadvantages to polycarbonate sheets which is why it is a popular roofing solution for DIYers and trade. The only disadvantage is that it can scratch if not handled carefully. This isn&#;t a deal breaker because solid polycarbonate sheets come with sheet protective film on both sides to help protect it whilst you are installing. Once installed you simply peel the protective film off.
No! Polycarbonate is a very robust plastic so is virtually unbreakable. The Solid type of polycarbonate is often used in high impact scenarios such as vandal-proof shelters, riot shields and prisons etc. There is no need to worry about your roof panels shattering when installing polycarbonate on your roof!
Yes, polycarbonate sheeting can be bent and installed on a curved roof. It is quite easy to install with curved glazing bars on a wide range of radii. Common curved installations include bike shelters, barrel roof lanterns and greenhouses. As a rule of thumb, the thinner gauge sheets bend more easily.
Choosing Polycarbonate Sheeting
Glass is still a popular glazing choice for many projects due to its high clarity and clean modern style. However, if you are looking to achieve the clean &#;glass look&#; on your glazing then there are actually glazing sheet options two options: solid polycarbonate or glass. Solid polycarbonate sheeting is increasingly becoming a more popular alternative to glass panels due to its similar style but wider range of benefits.
Polycarbonate
Glass
High clarity High clarity Virtually unbreakable - 200x stronger Fragile Light - 50% less or more Heavy Easy to Cut and Drill Difficult to cut and drive Low to medium cost High cost Wide range of sizes Limited sizes on standard delivery Vulnerable to scratches (if badly handled!) Scratch Resistance Degree of flexibility Rigid
Weighing up the pros and cons of glass versus solid polycarbonate roofing sheets, it is clear to conclude that for domestic projects solid polycarbonate is the better choice. Reduced installation challenges and ease of handling make polycarbonate a no-brainer for home and garden projects like pergola lean-tos, verandas and oak gazebos.
Even on commercial projects, solid glazing sheets have become a viable alternative to the inconveniences and costs of installing glass sheets.
Deciding between multiwall and solid polycarbonate sheets is easy as they have distinct pros and cons. Generally, solid polycarbonate glazing is considered a more premium option for a quality finish and multiwall is a more economical option for those on tighter budgets. Both are an installer&#;s dream, being easy to install, cut and handle.
Solid Polycarbonate
Twinwall and Multiwall Polycarbonate
££
£
High Clarity (glass look)
Medium Clarity
Limited thermal insulation
Great thermal insulation (especially thicker gauges)
5 tint options
3 tint options
Medium Weight
Lightweight
For exterior options, if you are looking for a first-class finish that will elevate your home then solid polycarbonate offers unbeatable value.
Twinwall and Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are the same types of sheet, however, as the name suggests have varying quantities of internal walls. The reason sheets are made with internal walls is to enhance their strength and insulation factor.
Twinwall Polycarbonate Sheeting is extruding with two external layers and internal connectors. On the other hand, multiwall polycarbonate sheets have two external layers and then multiple internal layers, ranging from 3 layers total upwards.
The thicker the sheet the more walls they tend to have. 4mm, 6mm and 10mm thickness are considered to be Twinwall and 16mm, 25mm and 35mm are Multiwall. Thicker gauge sheets have better thermal insulation (lower U Value) Also thicker multiwall sheets tend to have greater sound reduction compared to the thin 6mm and 10mm, although this is less of a factor.
We manufacture Twinwall and Multiwall polycarbonate sheeting in a range of thicknesses including 4mm, 6mm, 10mm, 16mm, 25mm, and 35mm. Solid Polycarbonate is available in a wider range of thicknesses including 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. There is plenty of choice no matter the application!
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The best thickness of polycarbonate sheet for your roof entirely depends on the type of roof you are constructing. However, as a guide, our 6mm Axgard Solid Polycarbonate sheets and 16mm Multiwall Polycarbonate sheets tend to be the most popular thicknesses of each type.
In the next section, we give a few common application types for each thickness as an approximate guide.
When choosing a polycarbonate sheet thickness there are two main factors to bear in mind; strength and insulation. Quite simply, the thicker the sheet the greater the strength and higher the thermal insulation. It is worth noting that thermal insulation is more of a consideration when using multiwall type sheets. Here are some common uses for each thickness:
Solid Polycarbonate
2 mm &#; Wall protection, Secondary glazing
3 and 4mm &#; Screens, Bike shelters, curved dugouts, shed windows
5 and 6mm &#; Oak Pergolas, canopies, lean tos, gazebo glazing
8,10 and 12mm &#; lean tos, verandas
Multiwall Polycarbonate
4mm &#; cloches and temporary glazing (not suitable for roofing applications)
6mm - cold frames and greenhouses (not suitable for roofing applications)
10mm &#; potting sheets, pergolas
16mm &#; lean to, gazeboes, canopies, carports
25mm &#; lean to extension, garden buildings
35mm &#; conservatory roofs, orangeries, extensions
At the end of the day when choosing the best sheet thickness for your project it is always dependent on your project&#;s factors, such as the location, wind loading, exposure, structure etc, so you are always best to make a judgement based on your project!
When choosing what colour polycarbonate is best for you roof the three points to considering are the light transmission, heat rejection and visual appearance.
Light transmission simply means how much light is let through by the sheets. Clear sheeting has the greatest light transmission (and clarity) which is why it tends to be most popular. Then Bronze has less and opal the least light transmission.
Bronze and opal sheets are opposites with bronze reducing sun glare and creating shader and opal sheets providing some heat rejection and a clean white glow. Check the overview tables below for a complete comparison.
To learn more about the solid Axgard Glazing Sheet tint options compared to glass please read our &#;Glass or Plastic Sheets &#; Which is Best?&#; Blog.
Where to buy polycarbonate sheeting
Installers often search for polycarbonate sheets near me however, with the fast paced improvement of ecommerce your best option for ordering polycarbonate sheeting is online. With the widest range of sizes and rapid delivery direct to your door Clear Amber Shop makes ordering your roofing sheets hassle free.
To order, simply choose from our range of Multiwall or Solid sheets, add the required glazing bars for your project and then place via our checkout. With a nationwide delivery network your order will be with you in a couple of days from placing the order!
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As a manufacturer, you may already be aware of the strength, elasticity and affordability of polycarbonate. What you may not be aware of is that it can be produced in a variety of forms specifically designed to fulfill both broad and narrow applications. Polycarbonate's flexibility is such that there's virtually limitless variety in terms of how it can be created; no matter what you need polycarbonate sheeting for, there's bound to be a product out there perfect for those needs. At A&C Plastics, we embrace this flexibility wholeheartedly by offering a staggering array of polycarbonate sheeting products, each designed to fulfill specific needs yet bound by their shared durability and efficacy.
Polycarbonate has in recent years become an immensely popular choice for skylights, sign faces, covered walkways, and other instances where transparency is desired. There's good reason for that; after all, polycarbonate possesses impact resistance 250 times greater than that of glass while also exhibiting exceptional temperature resistance and tensile strength. What's more, our polycarbonate sheeting is warrantied against yellowing, hazing, breakage and any other defect that might lower its light transmitting capabilities. Simply put, you won't find a better material out there for consistent clarity and durability in even the harshest of environments.
The choice, then, comes down to which sort of clear polycarbonate sheet best suits your needs. Our Clear SL Sheet boasts all the features listed above as part of an affordable product model that comes in 46 different widths and thicknesses. SL2 Sheeting, meanwhile, offers all the strengths of the SL model while also featuring UV resistance on both sides of the sheet, a must for environments where both sides will be continually exposed to sunlight. That brings us finally to our GP Sheeting, whose glazed surface makes it an exceptional choice for machine guards, freight doors, or any other instance where breakage or vandalism is a concern. Any plastics provider can sell you a clear polycarbonate sheet - much fewer can offer them in varieties specifically geared to the needs of your business or facility.
Just because polycarbonate is strong doesn't mean it can't also be beautiful. If you're interested in using polycarbonate sheeting as part of an eye-catching display or advertisement, take a look at our colored polycarbonate sheeting offerings to find the material that'll serve as the centerpiece of your creation. These striking hues - combined with polycarbonate's ability to be cut or formed on site - make your imagination the only limit to your design.
If you're looking for something a little more subtle (or for sheeting better suited for industrial and institutional environments), our tinted polycarbonate sheets may be more your speed. Each of these models can be ordered in bronze, light grey or dark grey, allowing you to boost the security of your facility while also maintaining true to its aesthetic. As a bonus, these tinted sheets can reflect up to 70% of solar energy, which can reduce incoming radiation and help keep areas protected by polycarbonate sheet cool on even the hottest days.
Everybody loves the look of glass, but nobody enjoys how easily it can be broken or otherwise marred. That's why mirrored polycarbonate has become the go-to material for those that need a mirrored surface that won't break if somebody looks at it funny. The automotive, dentistry, cosmetic and correctional industries - just to name a few - have all instituted polycarbonate mirrors in their products and facilities. That's because polycarbonate mirrors possess the clarity of glass and the strength to hold up in even the most brutal environments.
As long as we're talking about brutal environments, we may as well mention that polycarbonate sheeting also comes in a number of bulletproof varieties. This is the material that's commonly referred to as bulletproof "glass," a thick pane of polycarbonate that's used widely across the banking, law enforcement, security, and correctional industries. A&C Plastics guarantees its bulletproof polycarbonate for seven years against a wide variety of structural failures and flaws, a guarantee that'll give you peace of mind should the material ever be asked to live up to its namesake.
One of the downsides of polycarbonate sheeting is that it's more susceptible to scratching than glass and certain other plastics. That's why we developed a brand of polycarbonate sheeting specifically designed to address that shortfall, a resilient and flexible product ideal for schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, or anywhere else where accumulated abrasions are a concern. Though the initial investment on this product is a little higher than some of our other offerings, consider the money you'll save in the future by being able to enjoy this polycarbonate's scratch-free surface for years to come.
Certain sterile and scientific environments strive to avoid static at all costs because of how easily it can harm sensitive equipment and affect the results of experimentation. If you're looking for a material to use in an area whose environment is tightly controlled, look no further than our anti-static sheeting. This polycarbonate model is coated with a metal and plastic mixture that prevents the generation of static electricity, a coating that also boosts its tremendous impact and chemical resistance. In addition, the permanent nature of said coating means that it's less susceptible to humidity than the temporary anti-static coatings used by other companies.
Though polycarbonate possesses incredible temperature resistance, the high temperatures generated by open flames can be a little too much for it to handle. If you're working in an environment where the risk of fire is ever-present, consider investing in our flame retardant plastic sheeting. Designed to inhibit the creation of flames, this product is a perfect choice for electrical devices, aircraft components, switchgear covers and for any other items that carry electrical currents.
Those in the business of creating food-handling products know how difficult it can be to find FDA-approved materials, especially in cases where custom-sized molds or dies are required. Luckily, FDA-approved polycarbonate meets not only FDA but also NSF standard 51 requirements. You can rest easy knowing that any product you create with this sheeting will safely handle food and do so with the same remarkable strengths and resistances boasted by all our polycarbonate models.
Multiwall polycarbonate is just what it sounds like - layered polycarbonate sheeting that's even more powerful than the base material in terms of unbreakability, versatility and insulation. It exhibits this superiority while maintaining remarkable lightness, which makes it an ideal glazing material for environments where protection is necessary against sunlight and other environmental concerns. Multiwall can be used in greenhouses, skylights, solariums, atriums and more. If you're taking on a similar project - or need custom sheeting for an entirely original endeavor - multiwall polycarbonate is just about the best material you can use.
We hope that this overview of our polycarbonate product line has helped to display that the plastic may be the most flexible material available on the market today. At A&C Plastics, we've set our industry-leading ingenuity and innovation to exploring the full capabilities of polycarbonate; not just for the thrill of invention, but also to provide our clients with the widest possible variety of polycarbonate sheeting products. If you have any further questions about polycarbonate or its derivatives, please feel free to get in touch with one of our helpful and friendly plastics experts.
For more Polycarbonate Solid Sheetinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.