Types Of Transparent Roofing Materials – Pros And Cons

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 cheaper, but it’s equally low in quality. It is scratchable, and can't withstand temperatures more than 160°C. 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 sun’s 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!