The Complete Guide to Polycarbonate Panels
Polycarbonate panels are an illuminating choice when it comes to durable and energy-efficient interior and exterior walls
Durable, energy-efficient and cost-effective, polycarbonate panels have become increasingly popular in architecture due to their high-performance properties and contemporary look. Plus, used in the structure of internal and external walls – and even in roofs and skylights – polycarbonate panels enhance the amount of daylight allowed into interior spaces, which is great for psychological and physiological well being. Here’s what you need to know about the translucent trend of this light-loving material.
The benefits of PC panels
They offer impact protection
Polycarbonate panels can be as much as 200 times stronger than glass panels, which is one of main reasons why they’re used for glazing. With such strength and durability, they can withstand natural forces such as snowstorms and severe wind.
The southern facade of this studio is clad in translucent polycarbonate panels, which insulate the space while bringing in diffuse daylight (as can be seen in the interior of the studio, picture below). Lights within transform the studio into a glowing lantern at night.
They offer impact protection
Polycarbonate panels can be as much as 200 times stronger than glass panels, which is one of main reasons why they’re used for glazing. With such strength and durability, they can withstand natural forces such as snowstorms and severe wind.
The southern facade of this studio is clad in translucent polycarbonate panels, which insulate the space while bringing in diffuse daylight (as can be seen in the interior of the studio, picture below). Lights within transform the studio into a glowing lantern at night.
They are energy efficient
Polycarbonate panels offer different degrees of heat insulation, which can depend on the structural design of the panel. Multi-wall polycarbonate panels – i.e. panels with an air space between sheets – offer some of the best heat insulation available in architecture. They can reduce or eliminate the need for heating and cooling, and ultimately reduce energy bills.
Polycarbonate panels offer different degrees of heat insulation, which can depend on the structural design of the panel. Multi-wall polycarbonate panels – i.e. panels with an air space between sheets – offer some of the best heat insulation available in architecture. They can reduce or eliminate the need for heating and cooling, and ultimately reduce energy bills.
They have a distinctive design
Polycarbonate panels can be manipulated for a range of distinctive design applications, including being cut into different shapes, moulded into corrugated or textured forms, or printed with various colours.
This house in inner-city Melbourne, aptly called ‘Polygreen’, has been fully encased in a translucent polycarbonate skin printed with an abstract pattern to introduce more ‘green’ into the neighbourhood, and to create a striking decorative effect from the inside.
The green colour trend
Polycarbonate panels can be manipulated for a range of distinctive design applications, including being cut into different shapes, moulded into corrugated or textured forms, or printed with various colours.
This house in inner-city Melbourne, aptly called ‘Polygreen’, has been fully encased in a translucent polycarbonate skin printed with an abstract pattern to introduce more ‘green’ into the neighbourhood, and to create a striking decorative effect from the inside.
The green colour trend
They feature excellent light transmission
Polycarbonate panels can transmit around 88 per cent of visible light, just a little less than glass. As the thickness of the polycarbonate increases, the internal loss of light transmission also increases, although this is minimal. Light is scattered as it passes through polycarbonate and becomes more diffuse, meaning it can penetrate into areas that light coming through glass does not.
Polycarbonate panels can transmit around 88 per cent of visible light, just a little less than glass. As the thickness of the polycarbonate increases, the internal loss of light transmission also increases, although this is minimal. Light is scattered as it passes through polycarbonate and becomes more diffuse, meaning it can penetrate into areas that light coming through glass does not.
They can be tinted and textured
Polycarbonate is available in various tints and textures, which will also affect the degree of visible light being transmitted. In this house, a south-facing, bottle-green polycarbonate wall fills the entry gallery with a soft, ethereal light.
Polycarbonate is available in various tints and textures, which will also affect the degree of visible light being transmitted. In this house, a south-facing, bottle-green polycarbonate wall fills the entry gallery with a soft, ethereal light.
They are cost-effective
Polycarbonate panels contribute to cost savings when it comes to heating, cooling and lighting. In addition, because the panels are lightweight, they require less structural support than glass and, theoretically, less freight costs. Plus, being durable and easy to clean can save on maintenance costs.
Polycarbonate panels contribute to cost savings when it comes to heating, cooling and lighting. In addition, because the panels are lightweight, they require less structural support than glass and, theoretically, less freight costs. Plus, being durable and easy to clean can save on maintenance costs.
Limitations of PC panels
- While polycarbonate is durable and impact-resistant, it is prone to scratching.
- Flutes in the multi-wall polycarbonate panels can attract moisture, mould and bugs and therefore need to be sufficiently sealed in the frame.
How to use them
To cover an outdoor space
Polycarbonate panels can be used to protect outdoor spaces. They provide shelter from the rain and offer UV protection while still allowing light to shine through.
To cover an outdoor space
Polycarbonate panels can be used to protect outdoor spaces. They provide shelter from the rain and offer UV protection while still allowing light to shine through.
For windows
Polycarbonate panels are typically lower maintenance than the traditional glass alternative and generally required less cleaning. Clerestory panels help to provide even daylighting that reaches deep into a building’s interior. This home features clerestories with polycarbonate panels and glass-louvred windows at either side for maximum light, cross-flow ventilation and cooling in summer.
In addition, the vast use of both glass and polycarbonate throughout the house, in place of dense walls, helps to provide a ‘translucent’ effect, further connecting the house to its natural surrounds.
Tour this house
Polycarbonate panels are typically lower maintenance than the traditional glass alternative and generally required less cleaning. Clerestory panels help to provide even daylighting that reaches deep into a building’s interior. This home features clerestories with polycarbonate panels and glass-louvred windows at either side for maximum light, cross-flow ventilation and cooling in summer.
In addition, the vast use of both glass and polycarbonate throughout the house, in place of dense walls, helps to provide a ‘translucent’ effect, further connecting the house to its natural surrounds.
Tour this house
For internal walls
Inside a home, polycarbonate wall surfaces provide privacy between spaces while still allowing daylight to penetrate into rooms, which saves on artificial lighting during the day.
Inside a home, polycarbonate wall surfaces provide privacy between spaces while still allowing daylight to penetrate into rooms, which saves on artificial lighting during the day.
As a sliding door or room divider
A slender polycarbonate panel can be used as a room divider, either permanently in place, or as this picture demonstrates, as a sliding door. It functionally and aesthetically defines the nursery while not completely sectioning it off from the room as a whole.
A slender polycarbonate panel can be used as a room divider, either permanently in place, or as this picture demonstrates, as a sliding door. It functionally and aesthetically defines the nursery while not completely sectioning it off from the room as a whole.
To soften light
In contrast to glass, which can have a harsh glare in direct summer sunlight, polycarbonate panels can provide a filtered light to soften the look and feel of space. This San Francisco house has polycarbonate panels on the upper windows of the double-height space to soften the light in the predominantly white space.
In contrast to glass, which can have a harsh glare in direct summer sunlight, polycarbonate panels can provide a filtered light to soften the look and feel of space. This San Francisco house has polycarbonate panels on the upper windows of the double-height space to soften the light in the predominantly white space.
In garage door design
Polycarbonate can serve well as panels for garage doors as the material provides lower heat transmission. Plus, they are lightweight, which is ideal for the moving mechanism of garage doors.
Polycarbonate can serve well as panels for garage doors as the material provides lower heat transmission. Plus, they are lightweight, which is ideal for the moving mechanism of garage doors.
To add colour
Polycarbonate panels are an interesting way to add colour to both the interior and exterior of a home. They are available in tints including green, blue, grey and brown, as well as being able to be printed on with various patterns.
How to choose exterior colours for your home
Polycarbonate panels are an interesting way to add colour to both the interior and exterior of a home. They are available in tints including green, blue, grey and brown, as well as being able to be printed on with various patterns.
How to choose exterior colours for your home
Like all building materials, polycarbonate panels are not all made equal and will vary in quality and in price. Speak with a professional to find out whether polycarbonate panels are right for your home.
TELL US
Do you have polycarbonate panels in your house? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
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TELL US
Do you have polycarbonate panels in your house? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
MORE
The House That Isn’t There
This Just In: Transparent Garden Terrace, Moscow, Russia
This Just In: Translucent Tool Shed, North Carolina, USA
First a bit of technical speak: polycarbonate (PC) is a thermoplastic polymer containing carbonate groups in their chemical structures. When used in engineering, polycarbonate is a strong and tough material, and some grades – as evident in the San Francisco home pictured here – are optically translucent. Polycarbonate can be easily worked, moulded and thermo-formed, making it useful for many applications.