Introducing polycarbonate windows

Before the emergence of polycarbonate windows, glass has always been the primary material for windows among other glazing materials. With time, growing knowledge, improvements in manufacturing, and the constant development of proprietary additives, we have come to understand the advantages of using plastic materials such as polycarbonate in place of traditional glass as a glazing material.  There are tons of benefits of using polycarbonate windows, and it has become the best option when the time comes to replace old and worn windows.

Related articles: What is polycarbonate & is Polycarbonate a Plastic?

What makes polycarbonate the best material for windows?

As mentioned in previous articles, we have demonstrated how unbreakable polycarbonate sheets are, which is one of the first and foremost properties a great window should possess. A good window should be able to protect the enclosed area from the elements throughout the year, while still being able to provide the required properties to cope with the surrounding environment. For example, areas with safety concerns such as schools, subways, bus shelters, and medical facilities can benefit from its high impact resistance and structural strength. Areas that need extra shade or privacy can choose from a variety of additives to meet demands. For places that require not only glazing-related properties but also unique aesthetics, polycarbonate can also be easily cold or hot-formed without ever having to sacrifice strength and longevity due to its excellent design flexibility.

Polycarbonate Windows-Solid Flat/Valuview Clear
Solid Flat / Valuview Clear
Polycarbonate Windows-Solid Flat/Solar Green
Solid Flat / Solar Green

The Advantages of Polycarbonate Windows

  • 250x Stronger Than Glass, and 30x Stronger Than Acrylic
  • Clear polycarbonate windows have identical visible light transmission rates compared to glass. (VIS: 88%)
  • Polycarbonate sheets are lightweight compared to glass, and also require less or lighter-duty structural support than glass systems.
  • Easy and almost identical installation and framing procedures as glass, with the major difference being the rabbet depth and thermal expansion allowance to be taken into calculation.
  • Polycarbonate does not shatter. This is a very important aspect when it comes to safety glazing. This is also why polycarbonate is the material of choice for laminated or bulletproof glazing material.
  • Design Flexibility On-Site. Polycarbonate sheeting can be cut to size or cold-formed on-site. Glass and acrylic materials require pre-forming and fabrication before installation.
  • Affordability: Although clear glass windows may be cheaper than clear polycarbonate windows of the same size and thickness, the cost of material may start to differ by miles when certain properties such as heat reduction, shading or diffusing are required. The difference becomes exponential when we add in the installation, building structure, logistics, and labor costs.

For more information about polycarbonate windows or how to use polycarbonate sheets as an alternative to standard glass windows, or to learn more about the various proprietary functions VULCAN polycarbonate sheets can offer, please call or contact us.

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