As far as great debates go, “polycarbonate panels vs. fiberglass panels” is exactly on the same level as “Coke vs. Pepsi” or “The Beatles vs. The Stones.”
Yet there are important distinctions between the two, and as makers of polycarbonate panels, we know which will side we’d pick. Read on to see some of the benefits of polycarbonate panels over fiberglass, especially when used as siding and roofing panels.
Appearance
Compared to fiberglass, polycarbonate panels have a much cleaner look, especially after prolonged exposure to the elements. And if you need to cut a hole for wires or antennae, you’ll have a much easier time when working with polycarbonate.
If you need a clear lid when making an enclosure, it’s easier to work with polycarbonate. With fiberglass, you would need to cut a hole in the enclosure and install a polycarbonate window, ultimately making the enclosure weaker. Polycarbonate maintains its clean look and stays sturdy no matter what kind of modifications you need to make to your enclosures.
Modification
On that note, it’s much easier to modify polycarbonate panels than it is fiberglass. Modifying fiberglass enclosures produces a granular dust that can irritate the skin, is a danger to inhale and difficult to clean up. Polycarbonate cuts easily and cleaning, so that modifications produce small shavings that are easy to clean away and pose no health risks.
Resistance to UV light
Fiberglass panels fade when exposed to UV light rays. Overtime, this exposure causes the fibers to deteriorate, and can lead to faded colors in tinted panels. By contrast, polycarbonate has no fibers, allowing it to maintain its color, shape and strength when exposed to UV rays. It’s material you’ll find in headlights and car windshields. This quality is especially helpful when the material is used for siding and roofing, since the panels are prone to prolonged periods of exposure to sunlight. This is especially evident in our UNITREX® panels.
Other polycarbonate features include:
- Flexibility
- Durability
- Strength
- Good temperature range
- Chemical resistance
- Water absorbent
If you need polycarbonate panels for your next building project, contact H&F Manufacturing.
We’ve been a leader in making commercial and industrial plastic building materials for more than 40 years. We know which side we’re on in the polycarbonate vs. fiberglass debate, and we’re confident our products will convince you to join us.