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The Pros and Cons of Polycarbonate Roofing

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Polycarbonate roofing is made from a type of thermoplastic polymer so the product is light and translucent. Apart from being light, polycarbonate roofing is surprisingly durable too! Wondering if polycarbonate roofing is the best choice for your home? In today’s post, we are giving you all the facts you need to know about this roofing solution.

Types of Polycarbonate Roofing

Polycarbonate roofing can be used as an alternative to glass or acrylic sheets. Apart from green houses and awnings, polycarbonate roofing can be used in solariums, skylights, sun rooms and patio rooms.

There are various types of polycarbonate roofing: clear, tinted, and foam back polycarbonate sheet. Some polycarbonate sheets are corrugated, others feature embossed sheets, plain or colored. Foam back polycarbonate sheets are meant for insulation and soundproofing. This type of roofing is typically used for industrial buildings including warehouses. It can also be applied to flat or slightly sloped roofs for porches, pergolas, sheds, carports and small residential buildings.

Polycarbonate Roofing Pros

It’s Easy to Install

Compared to galvanized steel, polycarbonate roofing is very easy to install. Choosing this type of roofing material will cut down the labor cost. Even better, the lightness of the polycarbonate sheets won’t weigh down the structure of a building. Because its light, the roofing can be transported and installed with relative ease.

Improved Sunlight Permeation

Want to maximize natural light in certain parts of your home? We recommend choosing polycarbonate roofing instead of glass! The translucent material lets ample sunlight in. In fact, polycarbonate roofing in greenhouse allows light transmittance of 85%. In addition, polycarbonate roofing is just as durable as glass but it’s not as expensive.

Durable

Don’t let the lightness of the material fool you, polycarbonate roofing is incredibly tough. It’s highly resistant to pressure, scratches and impact. Most retailers offer an average of 10-year guarantee for durability.

This roofing material is also resilient. It can withstand extreme temperatures that are why it’s a popular roofing material for greenhouses. The panels are resistant to heat, snow, and rain. Polycarbonate roofing also retains its appearance without discoloration. The surface of the polycarbonate roofing is also resistant to dents and cracking so the material can be drilled and used for mounting.

Affordable

One of the best things about polycarbonate roofing is the price. Unlike glass roof, polycarbonate roofing is not only cheaper; it’s also less prone to breakage. Some types of glass roofing can be dangerous when it starts cracking but not polycarbonate roofing. The material is virtually indestructible that it’s used as bulletproof police shields!

Blocks UV Rays

Although polycarbonate roofing has greater light permeability, it blocks ultraviolet rays effectively. This makes polycarbonate roofing a great choice for constructing awnings in commercial buildings as well as greenhouses.

Polycarbonate Roofing Cons

More Expensive than Plastic Roofing

Compared to plastic roofing, polycarbonate roofing is more expensive. A cheaper alternative to polycarbonate roofing is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS roofing. ABS roofing is similar to polycarbonate roofing, but it’s not impact or heat resistant.

Not Eco-Friendly

Because polycarbonate roofing is made in plastic, it’s not as eco-friendly as other roofing materials. However, some brands offer polycarbonate roofing made from recycled plastic. These products could be more expensive than regular polycarbonate roofing but they minimize the structure’s carbon footprint


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