Types Of Transparent Roofing Materials – Pros And Cons

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While we always see bricks, stones, metal, and
tiles forming most of the roofing sector for all
kinds of commercial and residential structures,
there is also a requirement of transparent roofs.
While structures like greenhouses and
conservatories always require transparent roofs,
there is a trend of building many other
structures with transparent roofing materials
too. These include stadiums, railway stations,
airports, car ports, patios, awnings, and many
more. The four most common materials used to
construct such transparent roofs include glass,
acrylic, polycarbonate, and ETFE foil.
Glass roofs Glass is the most traditional
material used to construct transparent
structures. It brings in maximum light, thus
reducing the amount of artificial lighting
required, and in turn reducing the electricity
bills. However, this material has a number of
downsides. It is prone to cracking and breaking
with forceful impacts. It is very heavy, making
it difficult to carry, transport, and install.
It is expensive to purchase, and also expensive
in terms of care and maintenance. And, when cut
or drilled, it produces harmful shards.
Acrylic roofs Acrylic roofs are not only
transparent, but flexible and heat resistant too,
making them perfect for structures standing in
the scorching heat. Moreover, it is durable,
shatterproof, and easy to clean. Another added
benefit is that it is reusable, thus proving to
be eco-friendly. It is also
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cheaper, but its equally low in quality. It is
scratchable, and can't withstand temperatures
more than 160C. And, when exposed to fire, it
produces highly toxic fumes, thus proving
hazardous for humans.
Polycarbonate roofs Polycarbonate brings in
maximum sunlight, while also keeping the harmful
UV radiations of the sun away, as it comes with
a special UV protective layer on one side of the
sheet. Moreover, it is extremely durable as it
has an impact resistance 200 times that of glass.
It is also weather- resistant and
fire-resistant, thus withstand all kinds of
climates as well as fire. When cut, it produces
shards, but those that are not harmful and can be
cleaned easily. In addition, it is also flexible
and available in various colours and textures,
thus making it the perfect option for structures
that require visual appeal.
ETFE roofs ETFE is a very light weight
transparent material, weighing only 1 the weight
of glass! But, it has a tensile strength of
42N/mm2. ETFE also possesses high translucency,
transmitting up to 95 of the suns light, but
it is resistant to the ultraviolet rays of the
sun, thus protecting the inhabitants within the
structure. ETFE has a non-sticky surface,
bringing to it self-cleaning properties and a
recycling capacity. And, the best part is that
when any of the above materials are damaged, they
need to be replaced completely. But, in the case
of ETFE, tears can be repaired through heat
welding, instead of replacing the entire
structure. In the case of ETFE cushions, only the
piece of cushion that is damaged is replaced,
leaving the entire roof intact.
You can see how every material has its own pros
and cons. Choosing the right material for your
roofing depends upon your application and choice.
Weigh out all the pros and cons, and decide
carefully, so as to avoid hassles and quick
replacements in the future. If you choose to work
with the best materials like polycarbonate or
ETFE foil, you can get in touch with Tuflite
Polymers, the leading polycarbonate manufacture
and ETFE supplier, both of the best qualities!