Corrugated polycarbonate is a go-to material for DIY homeowner projects and many commercial construction applications. Corrugated polycarbonate offers outstanding strength, flexibility, weather resistance, and light transmission while both lightweight and stiff. It is recommended as a noncorrosive industrial structural roofing and siding solution since it can tolerate significant impact and performs well throughout a wide temperature range.
What Is Corrugated Polycarbonate?
Corrugated polycarbonate is polycarbonate thermoplastic polymer material featuring an octagonal-wave shape, giving it its “corrugated” appearance. It is frequently used in building constructions that must be strong yet lightweight. For example, polycarbonate sheeting is generally molded into a corrugated pattern when used for building applications to boost the material’s strength and prevent water buildup.
The many folds of its octagonal wave significantly increase the product’s strength and rigidity. Many home improvement retailers and plastics material providers offer corrugated polycarbonate, which improves the quality and robustness of numerous manufacturing, construction, and DIY projects.
Benefits of Corrugated Polycarbonate
Corrugated polycarbonate is remarkable because it is a single material that offers a wide range of significant advantages—more than many other building materials, which provide fewer by comparison.
Superior Strength
Corrugated polycarbonate is up to 20 times stronger than fiberglass and is one of its most attractive features. No other thermoplastic polymer can provide the strength and transparency that corrugated polycarbonate does.
Resistant To Extreme Temperatures
The functional temperature range for corrugated polycarbonate is -40°F to +270°F. This protects against the risk of roofs or sidings melting in the summer or cracking in the winter.
Withstands Wind and Hail
Because of its strength, corrugated polycarbonate can withstand the intense impact of wind and hail. As a result, farmers, florists, homeowners, and more will not need to be concerned about plants, animals, or furniture being harmed in a storm when kept in structures made of corrugated polycarbonate.
Will Not Rust or Corrode
Because it doesn’t rust or corrode, corrugated polycarbonate won’t deteriorate or degrade over time. Corrugated polycarbonate will look great and continue to perform well for many years, unlike many other building materials.
Protects Against UV Radiation
Corrugated polycarbonate’s UV-blocking technology prevents the material from becoming yellow. But, more importantly, it shields property and individuals from exposure to dangerous UV radiation.
Simple to Install
Corrugated polycarbonate is simple to install. Then, the material can be cut using a jigsaw, a hand circular saw, or a table saw with a plywood blade. Corrugated polycarbonate can even be cut with hand tools for smaller projects.
Retains Color and Opacity
While plastic and acrylic can fade and change opacity over time, corrugated polycarbonate has the unique ability to keep its original color and level of opacity with only minimal care.
How Long Do Corrugated Polycarbonate Panels Last?
The amount of wearing your corrugated polycarbonate experiences and its surrounding environment determine how long the material will last. One to two years is the norm, but a longer lifespan is also possible. Depending on the environment, corrugated polycarbonate used indoors can last anywhere from 10 years to more than 20.
The Many Uses For Corrugated Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate sheets are the ideal choice for many applications since they are durable, UV-resistant, convenient to transport, and simple to install. Here are some places you will see corrugated polycarbonate sheet used:
- Architectural structures
- Bus shelters
- Canopies
- Carports and garages
- Commercial and residential greenhouses
- Exhibition kiosks
- Garden sheds
- Industrial and manufacturing plants
- Parking shelters
- Partition walls
- Porches
- Skylights
- Temporary outdoor retail kiosks
- Walkways
In applications where a robust and lightweight material that lets light through while protecting against the weather is needed, polycarbonate has proven to be a great choice.
Is Polycarbonate Sheeting Expensive?
Compared to similar building materials, such as acrylic, corrugated polycarbonate can cost more. For example, in the case of acrylic, corrugated polycarbonate can cost, on average, 35% more.
That said, corrugated polycarbonate offers considerable advantages in terms of strength, durability, UV protection, and more, which can make up for the slightly higher price.
Where To Buy Corrugated Polycarbonate Panels
Corrugated polycarbonate comes in various colors and can be used anywhere that needs an external light source. Because it offers a consistent lighting surface and may be used as partition walls, it is also a popular material for outdoor shelters, gardening huts, and storage structures.
The plastics specialists at Piedmont Plastics are available to answer any of your questions and assist you in selecting the best material for your project. For more information on how corrugated polycarbonate can meet your demands and how we can support you and your products, get in touch with us today.