16mm Polycarbonate Sheets
16mm polycarbonate sheet has high impact resistance, is light weight and easy to fit. It has a built-in layer of UV protection. This results in durability and colour stability. The triple wall composition makes 16mm polycarbonate sheet more rigid than a 10mm sheet. This allows wider spans between the glazing bars on your roof. For 16mm sheets these can increase to a maximum of 900mm centres. They are well suited to rafter glazing bars or self support glazing bars. 16mm polycarbonate sheets are the most popular for car ports and canopies. These open structures do not need high levels of thermal isulation. 16mm polycarbonate sheets are also a cost effective alternative to 25mm sheets for smaller, unheated conservatories.
Available in Clear, Opal, Bronze and Heatguard. 16mm polycarbonate sheets from The Glazing Shop come with a ten year warranty.
FREE CUT TO SIZE SERVICE on all 16mm polycarbonate sheet. Saves you the job of cutting the sheets on site.
Please choose your colour then input the length and width you require below :
16mm Polycarbonate Sheets - Triple-wall
16mm polycarbonate sheets have a triplewall structure. The three walls have cavities between them known as flutes. These flutes give them high impact resistance. They also make them light weight and easy to handle on site. Our 16mm polycarbonate sheet is cut to size for your convenience. It is also taped at both ends making them ready for you to install quickly and easily. 16mm polycarbonate sheet has fine optical clarity and excellent fire resistance. Polycarbonate roof sheets are very strong. As a result they perform well against vandalism and accidental damage. In addition our 16mm polycarbonate is made with a built in layer of UV protection. This protects it from the effects of the sun's UV rays. This UV protection makes it a great choice for adding a roof to a pergola. Allowing you to spend more sheltered time in your garden. This UV absorbing layer also protects the polycarbonate sheet from discolouration. It aso prevents brittleness, giving it a very long life.
16mm polycarbonate roofing sheets offer some level of thermal insulation. However, if this is a real priority like in a conservatory, then 25mm or 35mm would perform better in this respect. Further details on 16mm polycarbonate sheet properties can be found on the technical information tab above. 16mm polycarbonate sheets allow for larger spans between glazing bars than the lower priced 10mm sheets. This results in the need for less glazing bars. We recommend that 16mm polycarbonate sheets are a maximum of 900mm width between supports. 16mm polycarbonate is therefore an excellent middle choice. It is cost effective and performs well in the right applications. The sheets should be fitted with a minimum pitch of 5 degrees. 16mm polycarbonate from The Glazing shop is available in clear, opal, bronze and heatguard tints. It comes with a 10 year warranty.
Main Benefits of 16mm polycarbonate sheets
. Allows high levels of natural light
. Light weight
. Easier to handle than glass
. Provides some thermal insulation
. Impact & damage resistant
. Has a longlife
. UV protected
. Fire resistance - Class 1 surface spread of flame when tested to BS476 Part 7
. 10 year guarantee
. Is compatible with the majority of glazing systems
Applications of 16mm Triplewall Polycarbonate sheets
. Some unheated Conservatories
. The most popular choice for Canopies and Carports
. Covered Walkways
. Pergolas
Colour Options for 16mm polycarbonate sheet
Tints: Clear, Opal, Bronze and Heatguard
Glazing bars for 16mm twin wall polycarbonate panels
For a sheet thickness of 16mm upwards you have a choice of using self-support glazing bars or rafter supported ones. Rafter bars need to be supported by wooden rafters . They are screwed into these along the length of the bar. You can also use 16mm polycarbonate sheets for self-support roof systems that do not need rafters. These roofs are fixed to an eaves beam at the front of the roof and a wall plate at the back.
We have a wide range of rafter bars well suited to 16mm polycarbonate. We supply PVC and aluminium capped rafter glazing bars in a range of colours and lengths.
We have a full suite of self-support glazing bars . We also have all of the other profiles needed to build a self-support lean to roof.
Have a look at our full range of glazing bars.
Extra parts needed for a 16mm triple wall polycarbonate roof
For a rafter supported roof you will need your rafter bars as described above. You have a choice of either PVC or aluminium capping on the glazing bars. Your roof will begin and end with a glazing bar. You will also have additional bars between your 16mm polycarbonate sheets. With PVC capped bars you will add a 16mm universal edge trim to create your end bars. With aluminium capped bars this will be an 16mm aluminium F section. These trims will neatly cloak off the ends of your roof. They will also balance up the empty outside of the bar where there is no glazing. Finally a sheet end closure is needed to cover the anti-dust tape at the bottom of your sheets. This will stop moisture getting into them. They are available in white, brown or anthracite grey.
For a self support lean to roof you will first need your glazing bars. Self support end bars will be used for the left and right hand sides of your roof. Main bars will be needed between each sheet to join them together. You will have a wallplate at the back, high end of the roof, You will also have an eaves beam for the lower, front end of the roof where your gutter will be attached. You will need sheet end closures to enclose the bottom ends of the polycarbonate sheets. These go on top of the anti-dust tape and prevent moisture from getting into the flutes of the sheets. If you will be cutting your sheets down on site you will need anti-dust tape to retape them.
For information about all of the thicknesses of structured polycarbonate, have a look at polycarbonate sheets pages. Alternatively have a look at our Polycarbonate Buyers guide.
Should you have any questions or need any help at all please call us on 01536 446395. We will be very happy to help you.
16mm Polycarbonate Sheet -Technical Information Summary
| 16mm Polycarbonate Sheet Thickness | ||||
| Clear | Opal | Bronze | Heatguard | |
| U-Value | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.4 |
| Light Transmission | 76% | 48% | 35% | 20% |
| Weight (kg per sqm) | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
Sheet Structure:
16mm polycarbonate sheet has a triple wall structure with the flutes running down the length of the sheet
Glazing bar centres:
We recommend 16mm polycarbonate sheets are a maximum of 900mm width between supports. This may need to be reduced further depending on your glazing bar capabilities. This will also be the case for open structures like canopies.
Flammability:
BS476/7: Class 1
UV Protection:
Yes on the top surface – the sheet must be installed the correct way up. The side with the print on the protective film goes upwards. When print is on both sides, one will say which side is the top.
Cutting Tolerance:
Length & Width: +/-5mm
Warranty:
10 years manufacturers limited warranty
Additional Manufacturers information
Please open or download the following pdfs
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Frequently Asked questions
What does 16mm ‘triple wall’ polycarbonate mean?
16mm triple wall polycarbonate is a structured sheet. Triple wall means it is made up of three walls and two rows of cavities between them. These are known as flutes which run down the length of the sheets. This structure makes the 16mm polycarbonate sheets light weight and easy to handle. It is therefore to quick and easy to fit. Triple wall polycarbonate is very hard wearing and widely used as a roofing sheet for open structures. These would be roofs for canopies, carports and pergolas. They are also sometimes used in smaller unheated conservatories.
What is 16mm polycarbonate sheet most used for?
16mm twin wall polycarbonate sheet is used for roofing projects. It is the most popular sheet thickness for canopy roofs. It is also used for some smaller unheated consrvatories. It is very popular for other lean to roof structures, allowing bigger spans between glazing bars than 10mm sheets.
Which are the length and width of a twin wall sheet?
The length follows the lines of the flutes down the sheets and the width is across them. The maximum sheet length is 7m and the maximum width is 2.1m. We offer a full cut to size service for all of our 16mm twinwall polycarbonate sheets. This helps to save you the job of cutting them on site. This is completely free of charge so you only pay for what you need. You also don't need to get rid of any offcuts.
Which way up does my 16mm polycarbonate sheeting go?
Polycarbonate sheets are delivered with a removable protective film which covers both surfaces. The top side of the sheet has co-extruded UV protection. The sheet must be installed the right way up. Generally, only one side of the sheet will have writing on it. That will be the top of the sheet and will be fitted to face the sky. If there is writing on both sides look for the writing that says, 'this side up'.
Do the ends of the sheets need to be taped?
Yes, the open ends of 16mm polycarbonate sheets always need to be taped. This is to prevent dust and insects penetrating the flutes of the sheet. We tape the sheets for you at no extra cost. If you will cut them down on site you will need to purchase anti-dust tape. This will alllow you to retape them prior to installation.
Can 16mm polycarbonate be cut down on site?
For your convenience we will cut the sheets to size for you. There is no extra charge for this. If you need to you can cut the sheets yourself on site. You can do this using a fine toothed circular saw or jigsaw. You will need to secure the sheet to reduce vibration. If you use an electronic saw, you should use a slow to medium speed. Swarf in the channels of the sheet can be removed with compressed air. If you cut the sheets down on site we strongly recommend resealing the ends with tapes.
What colour of 16mm polycarbonate sheet should I choose?
16mm polycarbonate is available in clear, opal, bronze and heatguard tints.
16mm clear polycarbonate is the best-selling in the range. Clear triple wall polycarbonate allows plenty of light to shine through. It has 76% light transmission. This sheet colour will allow light through and will not darken the area. It will however, show up any debris that might build up on top of the roof. It will therefore need more routine maintenance.
Opal 16mm polycarbonate sheet is translucent and has a diffused white look. It has a light transmission of 48%. The light through it is softer and it offers a bit of shade. The translucency offers privacy. It helps to obscure the view through it e.g. in a canopy overlooked by a neighbour. Opal polycarbonate is also very good at obscuring the view from beneath. Good in the respect of any leaves, moss or debris that may build up on your roof.
Bronze 16mm polycarbonate has a bronze / brown tint to it. This colour is often matched up with brown glazing bars and accessories. It is a popular choice for covering natural wooden structures. Also to tie in with brown windows, doors etc. on your home. It has a light transmission of 35%. Bronze polycarbonate will give the most shade of the three colours. It is an excellent choice in areas where you want less sunlight and heat to get through. You may not choose bronze 16mm polycarbonate on a canopy directly outside of an internal room. This could result in sacrificing light.
16mm Heatguard polycarbonate helps to deflect UV rays while allowing light to enter. This new high performance tint can reduce heat build up by 50%. This is when compared to clear sheets. The Heatguard technology in this triple wall sheet offers higher thermal insulation. This 16mm Heatguard grey tint looks great with grey glazing bars. It is also stunning on the roof of a modern grey canopy. It gives a sleek, contemporary look.
Is 16mm polycarbonate sheet UV protected?
16mm triple wall polycarbonate sheets have a layer of UV protection. This is co-extruded when the sheet is formed. This offers some UV ptotection to what is under the sheet. It also helps to protect the sheet itself from discolouration. The UV layer helps to increase the life of the sheet.
What is the fire rating of 16mm polycarbonate sheet?
Polycarbonate is Class 1 fire rated to BS476/7 .
Is 16mm polycarbonate sheet a good thickness for my project?
16mm polycarbonate is ideal for roofing canopies and carports. It is still very cost effective, light weight and easy to handle. It allows for bigger centres between the glazing bars than 10mm. With 16mm sheets you can have centres up to 900mm on a rafter supported roof. You will, however, need to be guided by the bar structural guidelines for a self-supported roof. You can also use 16mm polycarbonate for a small unheated conservatory. It will not give the same level of thermal insulation as thicker 25mm & 35mm sheets. These thicknesses are much more suited for larger heated conservatories.
Which glazing bars should I use with my 16mm polycarbonate sheets?
A 16mm polycarbonate roof can use rafter supported or self supported glazing bars. Rafter bars need to be supported by wooden rafters. The bars are screwed into these along the length of the bar. These rafter bars are available in PVC capped and aluminium capped versions. They are available in a range of colours and lengths. You can also have a self-support roof system with 16mm polycarbonate sheets. These bars have a structural aluminium core and do not need rafters. These glazing bars are fixed to a wall plate at the back of the roof. They are also fixed to an eaves beam at the front. These bars are more expensive than rafter bars. This is because of their extra structural aluminium. However, you don't need to factor in the cost of the wooden rafters. Or the extra time and expense in installing them.
We have a wide range of rafter bars. We also have all of the necessary trims and accessories for a rafter supported roof. We have a range of self supporting glazing bars. We also have all of the other components for a self-supported lean to roof.
The Glazing shop sells cheap 16mm polycarbonate sheets. Does that mean they are low quality?
Not at all! Our 16mm polycarbonate sheets are of the highest quality. We simply have excellent buying power due to the amounts that we sell. All our polycarbonate sheets have a 10-year manufacturer’s limited warranty. They would be expected to have an even longer life when properly maintained.
What is the life span of 16mm polycarbonate? Is there a warranty?
Absolutely! All the polycarbonate sheets from the Glazing shop have a 10-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. With the correct care and maintenance you can expect the sheets to last 10 to 20 years.
Have any other queries that aren't answered here? Please give us a call on 01536 446395 and we will be happy to help you.