Polycarbonate Sheets

 Polycarbonate Sheets

Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are structured with thin layers of polycarbonate and air spaces in between them. These spaces run down the sheets and are known as flutes. These structures give additional strength while being able to keep the weight low. The thicker the sheet the more walls and cavities they have making them stronger and more rigid. This means they can achieve larger centres between supports.

These extra layers also make the sheets more thermally efficient lowering the U-values.

Polycarbonate sheets are used for a wide variety of applications from domestic projects like car ports and canopy roofs to large industrial applications. There are many thicknesses and a variety of colours, each offering benefits of their own.

When choosing the best polycarbonate for your job there are a few main things to consider. These include the thickness of the sheets and the application they will be used for. Another important aspect is the colour or tint. All our polycarbonate sheets are cut to size for you at no extra cost. This will save you time and work on site. This also saves you money, meaning you only pay for exactly what you need.

Please see the chart below which gives an overview of each polycarbonate sheet thickness.

This includes the different polycarbonate sheet structures, colours and applications. The individual product pages for each sheet thickness have more detailed technical information specific to that sheet. This includes U values, light transmission and other benefits of that product. There are also manufacturers’ data sheets available there.

 

Sheet Structure	Polycarbonate Sheet Thickness	Colours	Popular Applications
	4mm Twin wall polycarbonate 6mm Twin wall polycarbonate	Clear Clear and Bronze	These 4mm & 6mm twin wall polycarbonate sheets are used as a more cost-effective replacement for glass in Greenhouse glazing. They are much safer and easier to handle than glass. They are also lighter weight, stronger and have better thermal insulation.  Additionally, they are used for cloches and cold frames. We can cut these to the sizes you need but they can also be easily trimmed down on site.
	10mm Twin wall polycarbonate	Clear, Opal and Bronze	10mm twin wall polycarbonate sheets are our bestselling ones being very cost effective and lightweight. They are most used for open structures like car ports, canopies and gazebo roofs where thermal insulation is not a priority. They are best suited for roofs with smaller spans and centres between the glazing bars. The maximum recommended unsupported centres are 600mm.
	16mm Triple wall polycarbonate	Clear, Opal, Bronze and Heatguard	16mm polycarbonate has a triple wall structure, made up of three walls and two chambers in between them. Sometimes used in smaller unheated conservatories i.e. for utility areas they allow bigger spans at a max of 900mm. The most popular polycarbonate sheet for carports and canopies where the centres should be reduced slightly due to additional wind uplift.
	25mm Multiwall – Seven walls in an X structure	Dual tints of Heatguard Opal and Bronze Opal	25mm polycarbonate has an 'X' Structure. This is made up of seven walls and the cavities between which make it a very strong, high quality glazing material. With high insulation properties, it is mostly used for conservatory or orangery roofs. It is also a popular choice for high end canopies or commercial glazed roofed projects. As well as the standard tints, from 25mm polycarbonate upwards there are also the dual tints of Heatguard Opal and Bronze Opal for even higher thermal insulation. In conservatories the unsupported spans should be limited to 1050mm. For canopies these would be lower, but this level of insulation is not really needed for an open structure. Please contact us for further advice.
	32mm Seven wall polycarbonate	Dual tints of Heatguard Opal and Bronze Opal	This strong and thermally efficient sheet is used in conservatory roofs. This sheet is not as common currently as it has in many ways been replaced by the higher specification 35mm sheet.
	35mm Seven wall polycarbonate	Clear, Opal, Bronze, Dual tints of Heatguard Opal and Bronze Opal	Specifically engineered for use in conservatory roofs, 35mm polycarbonate is the strongest and most thermally efficient sheet in our range. It is very rigid and can span up to 1200mm centres. Available in all the single and dual tints, this range allows you to tailor the amount of light and heat in your room depending on its position and the level of sun it attracts.

 

NB: Please bear in mind that you also need to consider any limitations of the supports and glazing bars when constructing your roof. These may require centres to be smaller.

Polycarbonate sheet colour options

One of the first things considered when choosing the colour of your polycarbonate can be the appearance you want to achieve. There are, however, other important aspects as each has its own benefits that it can bring to your project.

One important consideration would be the level of light you want to allow in. Another the amount of heat you want to let through or block. The different polycarbonate sheeting colours give different degrees of both light transmission and insulation. This, in conjunction with your choice of sheet thickness, allows you to tailor the your roof to the benefits you are trying to achieve.

More specific information for UV values and light transmission for each thickness and colour can be found in the technical information tab for that page.

Additional information or more technical data can be found in the specification sheets in our brochures section. This area also includes information on polycarbonate care and maintenance, chemical resistance data and safety information.

	Clear polycarbonate lets in the maximum amount of light. It also allows heat to build up and is an excellent choice for darker, colder areas. Clear is the most popular colour for car ports. Clear polycarbonate is ideal for greenhouse glazing in thinner 4mm and 6mm sheets.
	Opal tinted polycarbonate is a great all-rounder. Its ‘whitish’ appearance is like that of an opal light bulb, allowing softer light through. It helps to reduce the creation of hot spots by reducing heat build-up. The opal tint is excellent for obscuring a view, giving privacy while still keeping the space light and bright. This is popular for canopies which may overlooked from a neighbouring property. It is also excellent at obscuring leaves and debris which can fall onto the roof.
	Bronze tint polycarbonate is great for use in bright spots, helping to reduce glare and heat build-up. It helps to keep areas cooler and let less light pass through. Very popular for wooden carport roofs or pergolas for a more subtle and natural look. It is often co-ordinated with brown glazing bars.
	Heatguard opal polycarbonate is dual extruded with a grey outer and an opal inner layer. This dual tint polycarbonate is especially suited to very sunny south facing conservatories. The outer heatguard layer reflects and repels heat. This helps to keep the conservatory cooler in the hotter months. It also works to retain heat in the colder months. The opal interior helps to keep things lighter under the roof. This is due to artificial light bouncing off the inner opal surface. This colour option is available for 25mm, 32mm and 35mm polycarbonate sheets.
	Bronze Opal polycarbonate is another dual extrusion which is suited to sunny conservatories. The bronze outer layer reflects light and repels heat well, though to a slightly lesser degree than Heatguard. The opal interior surface keeps the interior space looking lighter & brighter as artificial light is bounced around the room. The bronze external appearance is often teamed with darker glazing bars like brown. These dual tint sheets are available in 25mm, 32mm and 35mm polycarbonate.

 

Polycarbonate sheet FAQs

Read on to find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding polycarbonate sheets

What is a ‘multi-wall’ polycarbonate sheet?

This is a structured sheet meaning it is made up of walls and cavities known as flutes. Because of its structure it is light weight and easy to handle. These flutes also give additional insulation. The thinnest sheets are known a twin wall as they are made from two layers of polycarbonate with one cavity in between. They then increase to triple wall which is three layers of polycarbonate with two sets of cavities. They increase in walls as the sheets get thicker with 35mm polycarbonate having seven walls.

Which are the length and width of a polycarbonate multiwall sheet?

The width is across the flutes of the sheet, and the length follows the lines down them. The maximum size of polycarbonate sheets is x 2.1m width x 7m length.

Are polycarbonate sheets insulating?

Multi wall polycarbonate sheets are insulating as the cavities in the sheet help to prevent heat transfer. The thicker the sheet, the more layers of insulation it offers. The required level of thermal insulation should be considered when choosing the thickness of polycarbonate for a project. If you need a high level of insulation e.g. in a conservatory roof you would choose a thicker more thermally efficient sheet like 35mm. In a greenhouse you may still want some insulation but 4mm or 6mm are much more commonly used in this respect.

Can polycarbonate roofing sheets be cut to bespoke sizes?

Yes, we offer a full cut to size service on our polycarbonate sheets. This saves you the job of cutting them down on site. This is completely free of charge meaning you only pay for what you need. It is possible to cut the sheets yourself, but this gets progressively more difficult once the sheets get thicker. To do this you would use tools such as a fine-toothed circular saw or jigsaw. Ensure you secure the sheet to minimise vibration. Electronic saws should be used on a slow to medium speed. If you get swarf (tiny pieces of polycarbonate) in the channels of the sheet this can be blown out with compressed air.

Is polycarbonate UV protected?

Polycarbonate sheet is co-extruded with a layer of UV protection. This offers protection from the sun’s UV rays. The layer prevents discolouration of the sheet and extends its life. It also reduces the rays penetrating the space beneath.

Do the sheets need to be installed a particular way up?

As the top side of the sheet has co-extruded (built in) UV protection the sheet must be installed the right way up. Polycarbonate sheets are delivered with a peel off protective film covering both sides. There is writing on the film. If only one side of the sheet has this, that will be the top of the sheet. The roof sheet should be fitted with that side facing the sky. If there is writing on both sides the top will be identified e.g. this side up'.

Do the ends of multiwall polycarbonate sheets need to be taped?

The open ends of a polycarbonate sheet should always be taped if the sheet is to be outdoors. This prevents dust and insects getting into the sheet. Our sheets 10mm and upwards are all taped for your convenience. The top edge is taped with a solid aluminium tape, and the bottom is taped with perforated anti-dust tape to give breathability. If you will cut your sheets down on site you will need to retape them with a roll of anti-dust tape.

Are sheet closures needed for polycarbonate sheets?

If the polycarbonate sheet is going to be fitted externally for example on a roof, then you will need to add sheet end closures. These PVC trims are placed over the tape on the ends of the sheet to help keep moisture out. They are easily cut to size and fitted. Simply push the sheet closure over the tapes with a bead of low modulus neutral silicon (LMN.)

The polycarbonate sheets on the Glazing shop are very economical. Does that mean they are low quality?

Not at all! Our sheets are of the highest quality whilst still offering excellent value for money. We clearly identify the brands of sheet we supply, and their specifications can be found on each product page.

Are polycarbonate sheets durable and is there a warranty?

Polycarbonate is an extremely durable material. With the correct maintenance you can expect polycarbonate roof sheets to last around 10 to 20 years. All of the polycarbonate sheets from the Glazing shop have a 10-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

How Eco-friendly is polycarbonate, can it be recycled?

Polycarbonate can be recycled and can be processed many times before there is a significant loss of quality. The recycling of the product reduces the need for virgin materials which are derived from oil. This makes it a more sustainable option. Our sheet supplier grinds all of their waste for recycling, making them a greener choice.

What is the fire rating of 10mm polycarbonate sheets?

Polycarbonate has a Class 1 fire rating to BS476/7.

Why buy from The Glazing shop?

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in our work and strive hard to provide the best service around. We love speaking with our customers so you always get to speak to a real person who will take the time to give the help and advice you need. Whether it be technical information or product selection we are here to help to make your project a success. We are always competitively priced and for larger orders we can often provide bulk discounts.

 

Do you 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.