If you need a long-lasting and versatile roofing material, consider polycarbonate roofing sheets. Nowadays they're the most popular type of roofing system material - and they're easily used for commercial projects or residential homes alike.
With a polycarbonate sheet, you can expect luminous daylight through your roof as well as resistance against impact. It'll even provide more UV protection with advanced weather guard technology.
In our article today, we’ll cover everything there is to know about plastic roof sheets and polycarbonate roofs - and we will share when it might just fit your needs as a roofing system.
What is Polycarbonate Roofing?
Polycarbonate roofing is a thermoplastic polymer that is lightweight and strong in its composition. It can be used on any type of roof as it can easily be molded to fit various forms.
These sheets come either flat or corrugated and in different colors, such as clear, opal, and bronze tint, among others, which allows for aesthetic diversity. They can match any roofing needs.
Benefits of Using Polycarbonate Sheets for Roofs
The benefits of using polycarbonate sheets for roofs are numerous - and we’ve outlined the key ones to consider just below.
Almost Full Illumination
For areas that need natural light, such as greenhouses, patios, or skylights, polycarbonate sheets can be used since these provide the highest level of transparency compared to other plastics.
They enable up to 90% passage of sunlight, thus creating bright spaces that are welcoming even during cloudy days.Strong Impact Resistance
The main advantage offered by this material over others lies in its ability to resist breaking when pounded with heavy hailstones during storms.
This ensures that they do not break or burst over a long time in very bad weather when it comes to durability, because if they did that, their strength would be affected, and they would have to be replaced much earlier than planned.
Protection from Harmful Ultra-Violet Rays
To prevent degradation due to exposure to UV light, some brands come coated with special protective material that filters out blocks of dangerous radiation wavelengths responsible for yellowing sheet surface - thus prolonging the life span of roofs made from these materials as well.
At the same time, they safeguard persons beneath, shielding them against skin cancer risks associated with prolonged contact with sunlight without any form of protection.
Thermal Regulation
Depending on the geographical location of the building where it is used, the heat insulation properties provided by polycarbonate panels may be enough to keep inside at comfortable temperatures throughout the year, regardless of whether it is extremely hot or cold outside, making them suitable for both warm and cold climates.
Easy installation + Lightweight
Apart from being lightweight, which makes transportation handling easy and reduces labor costs associated with heavy, bulky goods, this product also allows for quick, simple installations since it can be cut into required sizes and fitted using ordinary roofing accessories.
Thus, it saves time and energy during the construction process while still maintaining the same level of durability achieved had heavier alternatives been employed instead.
Durability
The robust nature, coupled with the ability to resist diverse environmental factors like rain, wind, snow, and hail, among others, makes these sheets last longer, requiring less maintenance over extended periods.
This leads to increased savings in terms of repairs, replacement, and wear-and-tear expenses incurred at frequent intervals when using weaker options instead, so it becomes a more cost-effective choice for sustainable roofing solutions in the long run.
How Polycarbonate Roofing Material Can Be Used
There are plenty of ways in which plastic roof sheets and polycarbonate roofs can be used. Below, we mention some typical applications:
Home-based uses
- Patios Pergolas - Provides shade while letting through natural lighting;
- Garages Carports - Covers from climate changes yet keeping the spaces illuminated;
- Skylights - Illuminates interior spaces due to high transparency levels, even during dull days.
Commercial Applications
- Warehouses - Offers toughness alongside a good amount of light transmission ability, hence appropriate for warehouses.
- Greenhouses - Ultraviolet ray resistance features, together with light-transmitting properties, make them ideal for greenhouses.
- Architectural Projects - Comes with different finishes and standard colors that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of architectural designs, among other projects.
Other areas of application include cladding walls in outdoor spaces, creating shaded zones, industrial buildings, factories, etc., because they do not break easily when hit by hard objects during work activities due to their strong impact resistance abilities.
Types of Roofing Sheets Made From Polycarbonate
Different types of polycarbonate sheets are available for different purposes:
Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheets
These are suitable for roofing applications where water should run off easily, such as in areas that experience heavy rainfall.
Flat Polycarbonate Sheets
These sheets are perfect for skylights and other applications that require a smooth surface.
Bronze Tint and Opal Sheets
They offer additional shade and reduce glare, which makes them ideal for places with light control needs.
Installation and Maintenance
Polycarbonate roofing is easy to install due to its lightweight nature. Sheets can be cut into the required size using standard tools and fixed using screws or special roofing accessories. Proper sealing should be done to prevent leakage and ensure waterproofing.
Maintenance is very low; usually, cleaning the sheets with mild soap and water regularly will keep them looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that may spoil the surface.
Final Thoughts
Plastic sheets for roofs and polycarbonate roofing are versatile due to many advantages; this means these materials can be used anywhere, from backyards at home to factories or storage facilities. They’re affordable and offer durability, transparency, and excellent UV protection, among other advantages, such as ease of installation, which are typically found with contemporary roofing systems.
To learn more about what else can help your next job with polycarbonate roofs, please visit us at roofstuff.com.au. There, we list our items along with some complementary pieces!
FAQs
What are some key features of polycarbonate sheets for roofs?
Key features include good light transmission, impact resistance, UV protection, and thermal insulation properties. They are also lightweight and are easy to work with during the installation process.
Do hailstorms damage polycarbonate roofing materials?
No matter how heavy the hail is, these types of sheets won’t break due to their toughness against impacts caused by falling objects like stones or ice balls, which come with hailstones when they fall on roofs made from this material.
Can these roofs protect against harmful solar radiation?
Yes, they have an additional layer that prevents up to 98% of UV rays from reaching people inside buildings while also shielding the plastic itself from being damaged by them, thus extending its life span.
How do I take care of polycarbonate roofs?
You only need to wash them frequently using warm, soapy water without bleach or ammonia and then rinse off well with clean, running tap water. Never scrub hard surfaces, as this may cause scratches; gentle wiping using a soft cloth should suffice. Also, avoid highly abrasive cleaners since they can dull the shiny finish.
Are there different colours available in these types of sheets?
Yes, they are made in standard colours like clear (transparent), opal (milky white), and bronze, which can suit diverse aesthetic needs, look aesthetically pleasing on a rooftop and serve different functional purposes.
Can I use these materials for skylights?
Certainly, due to their ability to transmit the maximum amount of light into rooms, thereby brightening up interior spaces considerably when compared against other similar products currently available on the market designed specifically for this purpose.
Where can I purchase polycarbonate roofing materials in Australia?
Visit roofstuff.com.au if you want to buy quality polycarbonate roofing materials. There, you will find a wide range of products in various styles, with plenty of features, which are suitable for all your roofing requirements for your property.