Polycarbonate is quickly becoming one of the most commonly used building materials in the professional and DIY construction industry. Even if you don’t know what polycarbonate is, the chances are very high that you’ve probably seen it used for a number of structures and construction projects over the past few years. Often used as a lightweight and more durable replacement for glass or standard plastic, polycarbonate has a lot of great qualities that make it a worthy contender for a substitute material for gazebo roof panels.
Although it’s making big waves in the residential roofing and construction industry, polycarbonate is most commonly used for outdoor commercial structures such as gazebos, greenhouses, and conservatories. This is because of its inimitable strength (it’s 250 times more durable than glass) and its incredible heat and UV resistance. Keep reading to learn why polycarbonate gazebo roof panels are far superior to standard roofing materials.
What Is Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a combination of groups of thermoplastic polymers that are engineered to bind together to form a strong, solid, yet incredibly flexible sheet or panel. They come in a variety of grading options including transparent, opaque, tinted, mirrored, bulletproof, abrasion-resistant, anti-static, and flame retardant.
The type of polycarbonate you need depends on the specifications of your project or application. Gazebo roofing typically requires transparent or tinted polycarbonate panels to let in sufficient lighting and filter out harmful UV rays. But it also depends on how much sun protection and shade you want your structure to provide.
Twin wall or multiwall polycarbonate sheets are the most suitable for gazebo roofing projects because they’re durable and have a strong impact resistance that allows them to withstand exposure to all kinds of natural outdoor elements as well as human and animal contact. Perfect for glazing, twin wall or multiwall polycarbonate sheets feature multiple layers of thick or thin plastic that have many of the same characteristics of glass with the exception of being more flexible and lightweight.
Why You Should Install Polycarbonate Gazebo Roof Panels
Polycarbonate has a lot of great advantages over glass and standard plastic building materials. Here are a few reasons why polycarbonate is the roofing and glazing material of choice for professional contractors and construction companies.
It’s Easy to Install
Polycarbonate sheets are extremely versatile, lightweight, and flexible. These traits make it the perfect building material for virtually any application and it’s easy to install, too. Glass typically requires multiple cuts and several people to transport and carry it onto the jobsite. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, is so lightweight and malleable that it requires less manpower to install and can be reconfigured to suit the specifications of any project.
Virtually Unbreakable
Available in a variety of colour, grading, and thickness options, polycarbonate is an extremely durable glazing material. Unlike glass, it’s completely shatterproof and scratch-resistant. Even if it’s dropped on a jobsite or during the transportation process, it’ll keep its shape without showing any signs of damage.
Mouldable According to Project Needs
Polycarbonate is one of the easiest building materials to work with. It’s very low maintenance and can be reshaped or cut down to size according to the exact measurements your application requires. Whether it’s being used for windows or for gazebo roof panels, polycarbonate can be moulded into virtually any shape without diminishing its durability and impact resistance to protect the structure against strong outdoor elements.
UV Reflective
Another advantage that polycarbonate has over glass is that it reflects UV rays rather than simply absorbing them. This quality ensures ultimate UV protection even on the hottest and sunniest days. Polycarbonate blocks out 100% of UV rays from the sun, but lets in 90% of natural light. Glass panes, on the other hand, are only capable of blocking 25% of harmful UV rays. Hence, polycarbonate is the superior aesthetic and practical material choice for your gazebo roofing needs.
Unparalleled Strength and Impact Resistance
Roofs of any kind are exposed to a variety of environmental elements that can cause serious damages. The whole purpose of a roof is to provide ultimate protection for the things that are inside of it. While glass is certainly a strong material, it doesn’t have nearly the level of strength and impact resistance that polycarbonate has. In fact, glass is far more likely to break under enormous amounts of pressure. All it takes is a strong hailstorm or below freezing temperatures to cause glass to literally crack under pressure. Moreover, all it takes is a tiny crack that spreads across the pane for glass to completely shatter. Another disadvantage of glass is that it’s incredibly expensive and difficult to replace.
Polycarbonate boasts superior strength and impact resistance in a variety of weather-related and circumstantial environmental conditions. It’s a scratch-proof and fully reinforced material that can handle pretty much anything Mother Nature or anyone else has to throw at it.
Polycarbonate Comes in a Variety of Colours
Most polycarbonate gazebo roof panels are made to imitate the appearance of glass, which is why they’re usually transparent. However, polycarbonate panels are completely customizable, so you can get them in any colour or level of transparency you prefer to suit the aesthetic of your structure and your personal taste. If you’re looking for a more unique look to make your structure stand out from others around it, then you can opt for tinted polycarbonate panels.
Polycarbonate Is Naturally Heat-Resistant
Since polycarbonate is constructed of a series of polymers and is double reinforced, it’s completely heat-resistant. Regardless of how hot it gets outside, polycarbonate panels will never feel too hot to touch. Plus, it can be used in conjunction with other flame retardant materials without diminishing its strength. It can also withstand long hours of extreme sun and heat exposure without weakening the material.
Expert Polycarbonate Sheet Suppliers in Toronto and the GTA
If you’re planning on building or renovating a commercial or residential gazebo this summer, then you’ve come to the right place! Canada Plastics & Belting Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of high-quality polycarbonate gazebo roof panels across Toronto and the GTA. We have a wide range of polycarbonate sheet options to choose from and our expert staff can help you choose the right product for your project. Contact us today to learn more.