When it comes to determining the ideal material for each roofing project it is dependent on what type of structure you are building and its unique requirements. Polycarbonate is the most popular plastic roof sheets in the industry and while it is very strong and resilient, it is also extremely lightweight and able to handle the extremes of temperature and all of its elements. While polycarbonate roofing may not be the top material for home use, it is a popular choice for other structures such as greenhouses, patios, sheds, pool covers, and even industrial warehouses. There are a multitude of benefits for using plastic roof sheets as polycarbonate for your next project. In the blog post below, we will explore the many advantages that plastic roof sheets can offer your next project and what type of plastic is most appropriate for the structure at hand.
Pros of Plastic Roofing
Shatter-Resistant
Polycarbonate panels are made with bisphenol A (BPA), which is a shatter-resistant agent that allows this plastic to have high-performance and remain pliable—thus making it an ideal material for a plastic roof as it is tough and can handle unexpected impacts from the natural surroundings.
Lightweight
The lightweight qualities of polycarbonate roof panels and plastic roofing offer many benefits compared to other alternative materials such as aluminum and glass. One advantageous benefit is more reasonable shipping costs, especially compared to metal—saving time and money. In addition to the savings, installation will be a breeze once contractors experience how easy and effortless polycarbonate plastic roof sheets are easy to handle.
Blocks UV Rays
Another stand out quality that polycarbonate roofing has to offer is its incredible UV blocking capabilities. These plastic roof sheets are an ideal material for constructing awnings, greenhouses, sunroom roofing, and pool covers. According to palram.com, “Polycarbonate as a material blocks almost the entire relevant UV spectrum, meaning both UVA and UVB. The material absorbs UV radiation and does not allow it to be transmitted through. Even a very thin sheet of polycarbonate would absorb UV rays and would provide far better protection to the skin and eyes than any sun protection cream.”
Temperature & Impact Resistant
Polycarbonate panels make great plastic roofs because they are resistant to extreme temperatures either or hot or cold. They can stand up to extreme force and are nearly unbreakable when compared to its glass counterpart. Being practically unbreakable with 250 times the impact strength of glass, polycarbonate makes for a great roofing material as it can withstand extreme weather and the severity of nature’s elements such as hail, rain, sleet, snow, and tropical storms.
Long Lasting
Due to its unprecedented reception to UV resistant coatings, polycarbonate plastic roof sheets are long-lasting. Even with constant exposure to the sun, it will not cause the material to discolor, crack, or weaken. Its resilience and durability allow polycarbonate roofs to stand the test of time especially when compared to its glass alternatives.
Great for Sunrooms and Greenhouses
Ideal for sunrooms and greenhouses, polycarbonate plastic roof sheets can soak up the sun even on a cold or cloudy day. It also has the multitude of benefits for these outdoor environments such as high light transmission, thermal insulation, and impact resistance, all qualities which allows herbs, vegetation, and greenery inside of these outdoor structures to grow and thrive.
Cons of Plastic Roofing
While there are a plethora of reasons to use polycarbonate plastic roof sheets for your next outdoor project such as a sunroom, greenhouse, pool or patio cover, there may be one downside to using this super durable material, which is that it can be scratched. By routinely cleaning polycarbonate panels with warm water with a few drops of mild detergent and a microfiber cloth, you can prevent dirt and other forms of grit from permanently scratching and damaging the plastic roof sheets.
What Type of Polycarbonate Plastic Sheet Works Best for Roofing?
There are a wide-range of polycarbonate plastic roof sheets that will work well to become your next plastic roofing project. Some of the varieties you may consider are solid clear polycarbonate sheets, which are suitable for skylights and canopy roofing. Multiwall and Twinwall polycarbonate sheets, which are the most widely used material for swimming pools, industrial areas, greenhouses, and sunrooms. Multiwall sheets offer high resistance to heat and have incredible thermal insulation. Acme Plastics also has cut-to-size options that can be modified to fit your project’s exact requirements.
Want to learn more about the advantages of polycarbonate plastic roof sheets? Contact our team of plastic specialists at Acme Plastics for more information.
