Why should you choose polycarbonate roofing panels for your roof
When it comes to roofing, we have all different kinds of choices. Have you ever wondered what would be the best fit for you? A value-packed and durable solution at an affordable price?
In this article, we are going to give you a complete guide on choosing the best roof you possibly can.
First, let us see all the traditional options we got.
- Metal Roofing: It is a widely used roofing system, basically made out of metal pieces. People tend to use this material as they see others to use it. Now the scenario is changing and you want a more durable, cost-effective and much lightweight option that a metal roofing cannot offer.
- Tiles Roofing: Small pieces of slates used as tiles for roofing is one of the popular choices for roofing. Although there are some significant drawbacks to it, being so expensive, difficult to install, heavyweight is a couple of reasons why people are looking for other alternatives.
- Glass Roofing: Glass roofing was widely accepted because of the natural light passing capabilities. But soon we realized, glasses are not the best option when it comes to roofing. Installation and maintenance is a headache if you have glasses on top of you. And when it comes to safety and durability, you don’t want your roofs to break down on you, right?
Hence, you can choose the best among all, Polycarbonate roofing sheets for your roofs. It comes with a variety of colors, price ranges, layers, and sizes. You can build and customize your awnings as much as you require.
Let us dig deep into it.
What is polycarbonate?
Without even realizing you are using it every day because these sheets are everywhere now. You have it on your phones, auto parts, medical equipment, eyeglasses, aircraft, DVDs and just about everything.
Polycarbonate is a robust, transparent and lightweight thermoplastic polymers, which contains carbonate groups in their chemical structure, making it easier to work, mold and thermoformed.
Types of polycarbonate roofing
You can choose from various sheet options that match your criteria. Some available ones are:
- Solid polycarbonate sheets (Transparent/clear, translucent, tinted);
- Multi-wall polycarbonate sheets (twin-wall sheet, four wall sheet, five wall sheet, honeycomb sheet);
Usage of polycarbonate roofing
School
Hospital
Home
Bus and train sheds
Industrial buildings
Stadium
Proper size for your roofing
Measure the right size of your roofs so that the sheets can fit in accordingly. You can order a full sheet and then cut it while installing or you can order the right sized sheets from us. We will do the proper sizing for you.
Easiest roof installation ever
Installing these sheets is a piece of cake compared to tiles, metal or even glass roofing. Simply because it is light weighted, working with it is quite easy for anyone. As anyone can move it around and basically can install it by himself.
Installation tips:
Before starting the process, you have to get ready with all the necessary tools, accessories and most importantly, safety gear and gloves.
We recommend you keep a minimum of 5-10 degree fall to ensure that the rainwater doesn’t cause water pooled in the roof and cause leaking or blocks light.
Check which side is upper one and blocks the UV and fit it accordingly.
We provide the right-sized sheets for our customers; however, you can cut them by yourself easily. Use a toothed circular saw to cut the layers according to your requirements.
It is advised no to walk on the sheets without proper precaution as it can leave some scratches on the surface.
Anyone can install the roofing panels; it's easier than ever; however, you can always hire a professional to do the job for you.
Why you should choose polycarbonate roofing over glass?
Polycarbonate roofing is getting more popular day by day simply because of its extremely resistant ability to any conditions, where glass roofing is more fragile, less resilient and extremely heavy.
Using glass for roofing is a considerable risk, as it can break for the smallest amount of harsh conditions and can cause severe injuries. On the other hand, it is practically impossible for you to break a pc sheet even if you try.
Although this roofing panel is super hard and entirely unbreakable, you can cut it easily and resize it according to your needs.
If you have ever used glass roofing, you know all the drawbacks and substantial cost of glass roofing. Now with polycarbonate roofing, you get all the benefits of glass roofing to a great extent, but the disadvantages are eliminated.
If you are in areas where heat is an issue, you should never go with glass. It consumes the heat and becomes impossible to touch and more fragile than ever.
You don't have to think about heat when you use polycarbonate sheets as it can take up to 270-290 degrees of heat easily.
The damage of Polycarbonate sheets is none compared to glass panels; hence the maintenance cost is next to nothing.
You get all the natural lights but without the UV radiations that a glass roof can't possibly block.
Due to its extreme durability and convenience, it is now being used and admired all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, USA, and Brazil.
More and more people are started using it because they realized the days are over when you have to decide between natural lights and durability.
Now you can have both in one great material that is polycarbonate roofing sheets.
Acrylic vs Polycarbonate
Acrylic is a kind of thermoplastic that can substitute glass. People often mix-up polycarbonate and acrylic. You might be wondering too, what is the difference between them?
Let's have a look.
Acrylic is shinier and scratch resistant compared to polycarbonate. But the major drawback is it cannot compete with polycarbonate in strength. Acrylic can crack a lot sooner than polycarbonate.
If you are looking for durability, polycarbonate is the one best fitted for you. Acrylic is far behind in strength that polycarbonate offers.
Polycarbonate sheets can resist all kinds of gasoline, chemicals and even fires. It is advised to avoid acrylic if you live in a place where flames might be present.
Polycarbonate is more resistant to any impact that acrylic; it is hard to drill in acrylic without chipping or cracking the sheets.
Both of these products are easy to install, clean and polish.
Polycarbonate sheets can cost 30%-35% higher compared to acrylic, also offers 200 times for resistance than acrylic. So the additional costing adds up.
Polycarbonate roofing for greenhouse
Polycarbonate roofing has a definite advantage over glass roofs when it comes to the conservatory.
Because of its long lifespan, heat resistance and better defense against harsh conditions, polycarbonate roofing is getting more and more popular for installing greenhouses.
It has an excellent quality of insulation compared to glass roofing. Because of its higher thermal efficiency, you get better results, plants get more time in their growing season and increase their life span.
These sheets can withstand extreme cold or heat or any other harsh condition. Corrugated roofing sheets are getting more popular greenhouses in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, and the USA.
Advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate roofing
It is a very lightweight and durable thermoplastic material that is widely popular for roofing for various purposes. The durability, longer life span, capability of resisting extreme hot and cold condition makes it appealing to all.
However, you may not want to use it for the entire house. It is excellent for industrial warehouses, decks, sheds, pool covers, carports, patios, and many things.
The material is extremely durable and entirely unbreakable. You don’t have to think about installing new roofing over a long period.
It can withstand extreme weather conditions, flames, and even various gasoline and chemicals.
The light weighted material is more comfortable to install and move around compared to other roofing materials. Hence, the installation process takes a shorter time.
Has the UV resistant ability makes it a better choice for sunroom and greenhouses.
These sheets are designed to block the UV radiation and keep the sun heat out as much as 70%.
Although the upsides are countless, there are some drawbacks too. These sheets are not completely scratch resistance, so you have to take a bit of extra caution while installing or cutting the sheets.
Choosing between corrugated and multi-wall sheets
Both of these have the same qualities; however, their insulation level varies from each other. Multi-wall sheets offer more excellent insulation compared to corrugated sheets, simply because of the increased level of layers.
On the other hand, corrugated sheet costs less than multi-wall, because of lesser the layers, lesser the costs.
It is up to you, how much insulation you need and how much you are willing to pay for a sheet that fits your requirements.
How to take care of polycarbonate sheets
Inappropriate cleaning can harm the layers to a great extent. However, with the proper cleaning process, this can be avoided easily.
Ammonia is extremely harmful to the sheets. You have to avoid any cleaners that have ammonia in it.
While wiping the sheets, you should never use your bare hands or a dry piece of cloth. It will just scratch the surface with existing dust on it, instead use a wet and soft towel.
The choice is yours!
We wall want to get the best option for ourselves. You get almost all the great features of other roofing materials in polycarbonate roofing panels altogether.
If you have any questions or confusion, feel free to contact us for a free explanation or quotation from our side! Cheers!
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