Polycarbonate vs Corrugated PVC Roofing Sheets
A question that we get asked a lot by customers is which sheets should I choose for my project - polycarbonate sheets or corrugated PVC sheets? Unfortunately, the answer is not a straightforward as the question and will depend on a number of factors. We will try to untangle some of these below:
Firstly, are you creating a new roof or replacing an existing one? If you are replacing an existing roof, it's important to check what material is currently fitted, and why it needs changing. If it is a new roofing project ask yourself how long you would like it to last, what you would want it to look like and how easy do you want the installation to be.
For existing carports or lean to roofs that already have sheets fitted it is usually best (and easier) to replace like-for-like. However, you may want to consider why you are replacing it and whether you want to improve on what was fitted originally.
For new roofs such as canopies or gazebo’s, hot tub covers or lean to conservatories it comes down to a number of questions: How do you want it to look? Do you need to keep heat in (does it need to be insulating)? What is your budget? Do you want to block out sunlight?
Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets
Generally, the polycarbonate used in roofing applications is multiwall, triplewall or twinwall. Polycarbonate panels for roofing should be 10mm thick or greater and the thickness you require will largely depend on the level of insulation your roof requires. For most lean to, carport and canopy installations 10mm thick sheets are perfectly adequate.Polycarbonate is easy to install, lightweight and extremely durable. Roofing sheets are supplied with a manufacturer’s 10-year warranty but should outlast that by many years.
Sheets cut very easily using a jigsaw, circular saw or hand saw with a fine toothed blade – just remember to fit breather tape to cut sheets.
Structured polycarbonate is generally fitted alongside glazing bars which join the sheets together. Whilst it can seem like this is extra work – glazing bars are very easy to fit and once ‘snapped together’ will give a watertight join between your roofing sheets.
Corrugated PVC Sheets
Corrugated PVC roofing sheets are probably the easiest sheet to fit in our range. Sheets simply overlap one another to give the appearance of a continuous wave across the roof. Corrugated roofing sheets are supplied in a number of profiles. 3” ASB (the old asbestos profile) is by far the most popular sheet but we also distribute 6”, greca and miniature corrugated PVC too. Sheets are available in a number of thicknesses from 0.8mm thick for basic domestic applications to 1.3mm thick for structural and commercial applications.
Corrugated roofing sheets do not need glazing bars like polycarbonate roofing sheets and therefore many consider them to be the easier sheets to install. However, it is worth noting that corrugated sheets need the roof to be fitted with battens. This means there may be more work required prior to installation.
In summary whatever you require for your roofing project Varico Ltd are on hand to help. We will do our best to offer advice where needed and assist you with your decision on what is best for you.