Polycarbonate boasts of outstanding features like durability to stand against extreme weather conditions, and flexibility for curved applications. But on the topic of its strength and weight resistance, does it boast an outstanding feat as well?
Polycarbonate is part of the family of thermoplastics, caused by the reaction of bisphenol-A. The result is a material that’s tough, strong, transparent, and flexible. Including additives like a UV resistant layer, enables it to work under extreme heat exposure, furthermore improves its qualities. Because of these features, it is no surprise that the demand for polycarbonate significantly increased, particularly in the construction industry. Polycarbonate roofs are lightweight, but remember that it does not equate to resilience! But one common question is, how much weight can polycarbonate roofs carry?
Knowing polycarbonate and how it is installed is one way to answer this question.
1. Polycarbonate sheets are measured in strength in what is called the tensile strength.
Tensile strength is the ability of a material to withstand maximum load without breaking, usually measured in psi. All polycarbonate sheets have optimal tensile strength, but the numbers vary depending on the thickness and profile. Duralon polycarbonate solid and twin wall sheets yield a tensile strength of 65 MPa, or approximately 9400 psi.
2. How well the roof is supported can improve its load bearing strength as compared to a roof that is not supported enough.
This is because it ensures that the load spreads evenly throughout the material, and not concentrated on one area. If the roof is not supported enough, the sheet can bend under pressure, causing breakage and anyone to fall. Safeguarding your roof thus contributes to the life cycle of the roof.
3. Walking directly on the polycarbonate roof is not recommended because while it is a robust material, it is not made to withstand a person’s weight.
The roof can also be slippery even when it is not wet, which may cause accidents. If going atop the roof is extremely necessary, it is recommended to step onto the frames, instead of the panels.
If you’re looking for a trusted polycarbonate brand, look no further. Duralon offers a variety of polycarbonate profiles like twinwall polycarbonate, corrugated polycarbonate, solid polycarbonate, and embossed and corrugated. You can exclusively buy polycarbonate sheets from a trusted polycarbonate sheet supplier in the Philippines like Polylite. Aside from Duralon polycarbonate, you can also buy aluminum composite panels and acrylic sheets.