Are you thinking about your next DIY project? Maybe you are considering building a carport, a greenhouse, or a garden veranda? Polycarbonate is the ideal choice for any one of these projects, as well as many more. Polycarbonate is a tough, resilient, and long-lasting material that makes the sheets easy to handle and install, and gives a great finish to any project. Using polycarbonate roofing sheets is an easy and cost-effective way to create more usable space in your home and garden. A small lean-to or a garden veranda can transform an area, making better use of the available space. Polycarbonate comes in a range of different sheet thicknesses and here we take a look at how to choose the best sheets for your next project.
What is Polycarbonate and Where can It be Used?
Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic, and it has many qualities that make it an incredibly useful material to use in a wide range of projects. Polycarbonate has the ability to absorb heat, which many other plastics do not, this makes it an excellent insulator. When compared to glass, polycarbonate sheets are consistently better, it is shatterproof, it is lightweight, it is portable, and the only added benefit that glass brings is a higher degree of light transmission. However, in greenhouses, carports, lean-tos, and verandas, this slight reduction in light transmission is not critical, especially when balanced against all the other benefits that using polycarbonate sheets brings.
Size Guide and Application
Choosing the best polycarbonate sheets for your next project is important. Over-engineering your project can be costly and unnecessary, so you must think about what your new structure will be used for, and how it will be affected by the weather. A small greenhouse tucked away in the corner of your garden, is a very different structure from a garden veranda that is attached to the side of a house, in a notoriously windy and exposed area. So when choosing the thickness of your sheets, consider both the location and intended use.
4mm
4mm sheets are the thinnest polycarbonate sheets available. These are usually used for greenhouse glazing, and occasionally point-of-sale boards for advertising.
6mm
6mm sheets are also commonly used for greenhouse glazing and point-of-sale boards.
10mm
10mm sheets are a popular choice of thickness for smaller carports and canopies. This thickness is a cost-effective solution that does the job very well, where the span required is not too large.
16mm
16mm sheets are again used for carports and canopies, though this thickness can cope with a larger span than the 10mm polycarbonate roofing sheets. Occasionally it can be used for small conservatories, though generally only in unheated areas.
25mm
25mm sheets give you a high-quality finish. This thickness is used in commercial projects, due to the calibre of these sheets, as well as for high-end domestic structures, such as conservatories, canopies, orangeries, or atriums.
35mm
35mm sheets were created for conservatory roofs. At this thickness, you can choose from a range of colours including a heat guard. This allows you to create a conservatory that is designed around the strength and position of the sun giving you a room that is usable throughout the year, as opposed to old-fashioned conservatories that were alternatively too hot or too cold!
Type of Polycarbonate Sheet
Not only does polycarbonate come in different sizes it also comes in different designs. Each type of polycarbonate has certain attributes that make it a good choice for distinct scenarios. Whatever you want to create with your polycarbonate, we can help you to find the best polycarbonate sheets for your next project.
Multiwall Polycarbonate
Multiwall polycarbonate is the most popular type and is used for a multitude of projects from greenhouses to carports. It is strong and resilient, and due to the many layers in the sheet give excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.
Solid Polycarbonate
Solid polycarbonate is the best choice where light is your main consideration. Solid polycarbonate allows 90% light transmission, nearly matching the 100% offered by the glass, with none of the drawbacks.
Corrugated Polycarbonate
Corrugated polycarbonate provides a cost-effective solution. Made from solid polycarbonate this can be a good choice for smaller projects, where the budget is all important.
How to Choose The Right Thickness For Your Project?
Deciding which polycarbonate sheets are right for you is important. You need to weigh up certain factors. What will your structure be used for? How big is it? How big are the spans between the timber frame? How exposed to the weather is it? How much light transmission would you like? Once you have evaluated all the factors that go into choosing the best polycarbonate for you, you can make a considered decision. The balance between cost and quality also comes into play, but your new structure, if well-made, will last for many years, so consider it an investment in your home and quality of life. It can be shortsighted to skimp on good quality materials, especially after you have invested time and effort into building your new structure.
How Can I Order Polycarbonate Sheets?
Once you have chosen the perfect polycarbonate for your next project, it is time to get ordering! Simply head over to our online shop where you will be able to see the range of different options available. Our polycarbonate comes, not only in the different thicknesses specified above but in different colours, widths, and lengths. This choice of size gives you the perfect fit for your polycarbonate. If you are still unsure about which polycarbonate sheets to order, just contact our helpful and experienced team for further assistance. If you feel a little daunted by the scale of your project, we also offer an installation service, simply contact our team for more information. So, if you have decided on the best polycarbonate for your next project, then click here to start ordering your polycarbonate.