If you’re looking for a roof for your patio cover, greenhouse, or sunroom, you may be surprised at the wide range of options available. One of those options is polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate, as the name implies, is a synthetic polymer containing carbonate groups. It’s plastic but is as clear as glass, making it a preferred option since it’s not as fragile. In addition, it’s easily modified into various opacities and thicknesses, which also adds to its appeal.
Besides polycarbonate, there’s fiberglass, glass, and polyethylene film. First, let’s look at why polycarbonate is the superior option.
Cost
Polycarbonate roofing is low-cost compared to other materials with similar properties like fiberglass. But, despite being cheaper, it’s still a high-quality material, providing adequate UV light protection and the ability to withstand high-impact strikes and any weather.
Customizability
There are various styles and colors available for polycarbonate roofs. Regardless of whatever shape or color you want, you’ll likely find a manufacturer who has exactly what you need. It is perfect for those who want a specific look for their patio cover or greenhouse roof. You can even achieve a stained-glass effect on your roof with polycarbonate. While you can do this with glass, its fragility makes transport and manufacturing costly.
Ease of installation and maintenance
Polycarbonate is such a lightweight material, and this makes installation easy and fast. In addition, compared to glass, polycarbonate does not require nearly as much care during installation, making it a more stress-free process.
Because its transparent to translucent style may require more cleaning than opaque roofs, it is surprisingly low maintenance compared to other materials with similar properties. In addition, it’s easy to clean because polycarbonate is an inert material, meaning it doesn’t react with many substances. It means you can use stronger cleaning solutions without the risk of damaging the panels. However, polycarbonate roofs can still be prone to scratches, so you must still exercise care when cleaning to avoid scratching the panels.
Strength
Even thin polycarbonate roofing is exceptionally resistant to the elements, whether it’s a storm or extreme heat. This quality makes it perfect for houses in unpredictable climates. They can also withstand high amounts of force, with some variants used for bulletproof windows and police shields.
Longevity
Thanks to their chemical and physical resistivity, panels retain their color for a long time. On top of being inexpensive, you can save money as you won’t need to keep replacing them, and they’ll still look good even after many years. You will still need to replace panels if heavy branches or rocks have scratched them, but that will be the case with other materials as well. Most manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty for their products, but your roof is guaranteed to last at least ten years, barring unfortunate circumstances.
Polycarbonate is ideal if you’re on a budget and looking for a functional, long-lasting, and low-maintenance roof. We don’t need more words to convince you just how superior polycarbonate is. It also has very few drawbacks, and even then, the benefits significantly outweigh any disadvantages.
