When it comes to roofing systems, polycarbonate is perhaps one of the most durable materials out there. Aside from the roof, polycarbonate is a popular material that is also used in other products such as CDs and sunglasses. Polycarbonate material is meant to be resistant against UV rays and high-impact damage. No wonder more and more establishment owners choose polycarbonate roofing.
How polycarbonate material works
For starters, polycarbonate is a type of lightweight thermoplastic material that can tolerate high and low temperatures. It can be used to cater to commercial, industrial, and even for residential building purposes. As mentioned, polycarbonate is not only used as a roofing material. It is used for personal and household items, as discussed above.
Polycarbonate material is used in residential decks and patio areas as well as in sheds and carports. It is also commonly used as a building material for warehouses and other industrial buildings. For one thing, polycarbonate materials let natural light come into a room and filter out harmful UV rays.
There are also different types of polycarbonate material, including white, colored, and clear polycarbonate. All of these are durable and UV-resistant and can be used as roofing and building material that will suit your preferences or needs. However, it is also essential to consider the pros and cons of using this building material.
Pros
As mentioned, polycarbonate material is durable and UV-resistant. It can also tolerate harsh outdoor weather and won’t easily break. Some polycarbonate materials are resistant to bullets, which makes them excellent for police shields.
Aside from that, polycarbonate is lightweight, which makes transport and installation a lot easier. It is also good roofing as well as greenhouse material as it lets natural light come in sans the harmful UV rays. Because of its durable properties, polycarbonate can last for many years of use without discoloration and fading. You can also save on labor and installation cost by using polycarbonate material.
Cons
On the other hand, polycarbonate may also have its disadvantages. For one thing, polycarbonate can be more expensive than other building materials such as plastic or glass. Others consider cheaper alternatives such as ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. However, this one is way behind from polycarbonate in terms of durability and UV resistance.
While polycarbonate is generally durable, it might not be as resistant to dents and scratches. You should also be careful in using cleaning materials as some of them can cause damage to the material. Make sure to avoid alkaline-based cleaning items as well as ones with scrubs and solvents.
The way that polycarbonate material is produced may irk environmentalists. For one thing, it involves high temperatures and phosgene that can cause health and environmental problems. That is why workers and manufacturers should take extra precautions during the production of polycarbonate materials.
The pros and cons are some of the things to keep in mind if you are considering using polycarbonate as a building material. Aside from the budget, you should also consider its impact on your health and the environment. You should also ensure to use building materials that will benefit you and the tenants in the long run.
