Residential Vs Commercial Flat Roof - Tuflite Polymers

Both commercial and residential flat roofing belong to the low slope roofing category, but they both are very different from each other.

Design

Commercial flat roofing is entirely flat with slight pitches for draining water. Flat roofs in such applications are required for routine inspections and maintenance. Residential flat roofing on the other hand can be experimented with different designs. There are no rules here as they can carry the structural weight.

Size

Commercial roofing has a wider space as compared to residential roofs, because of the functionality it has to offer. Commercial flat roofs need to be highly functional and practical, which is why size matters more than the appearance here. They don’t have to appear extravagant or elaborated; instead they need to be able to follow the minimum structural requirements required. On the other hand, residential roofing could be sized as per the owner’s preference. It doesn’t need to be wide enough for other heavy equipment. It should just be proportional to the area of the house.

Materials

The roofs vary a lot in cost, performance, qualities, and longevity based on the materials they are made of.

Metal – This is a lightweight material that is very easy to install. It also comes in a wide range of colors to suit your design preferences. However, one drawback here is that it is comparatively expensive. The metal category could include a variety of materials like steel, aluminum, zinc, tin, and copper. All these metals can generally last up to 50 years, and are known to be fire-resistant. Due to all these reasons, metal roofing sheets are preferred for both residential and commercial applications.

Built-up roofing – This material is made from tar and gravel stacked together one over another. This is one of the most affordable options, making it highly preferred in the commercial applications. This material is also very superior in strength, and can last for anywhere between 25-40 long years.

Bitumen – This roofing system is made from asphalt, fiberglass, and other synthetic polyester materials. It has amazing waterproofing and insulating capabilities. It is also tear-resistant, and can withstand heavy foot traffic. But, in spite of these qualities, it is a very cheap roofing system that can last for 20-30 long years.

EPDM – The cheapest option, EPDM is an effective waterproofing providing commercial roofing material. It is also very lightweight and flexible, meaning being easy to use and install. However, it is available in only a limited color selection like black and white.

Polycarbonate – Polycarbonate is the latest material used for both residential and commercial applications, where transparency or semi-transparency is required. Available in a wide range of color and texture options, polycarbonate can be used to match or strikingly contrast the rest of the building. It is a flexible, lightweight, extremely durable material that is resistant to breakage, fire, impact, corrosion, and solvents. Thus, it is the perfect material that you can use for almost any kind of roofing application. You can get the best quality polycarbonate roofing sheets at Tuflite Polymers, where you can choose from a wide range of colors, textures, and types.

Greenhouse Building – Glass Or Polycarbonate?

Hobby greenhouses or commercial greenhouses – both need to be built as a structure that lets in maximum sunlight to help the plants within get the nutrition they require, while also keeping them protected from the harsh environmental conditions around. Traditionally, from the earliest of times, glass has been the most popular material used to build greenhouses. However, as time have changed and evolved, so has the popularity of greenhouse material. Today, many greenhouses are being built with polycarbonate roofing sheets. So, what is it that makes polycarbonate so popular today? Or, let us ask whether it is glass or polycarbonate that you must use for your next greenhouse project to reap the best benefits. To bring an answer to this question, you first need to understand the characteristics of both glass and polycarbonate individually, so that you can make an informed decision as to which material is better to solve the purpose.

Greenhouses Vs. Cold Frames - Tuflite Polymers

Greenhouses and cold frames are both used for the same purpose – helping plants to grow while staying protected against extreme heat or cold. And, this is why they are either confused to be the same by many. And for those who know the difference between the two, they are always confused as to which one they should opt for to be installed in their backyard. So, for all those nature lovers who would love to grow plants within their own backyard for fresh yields, here is a blog that will show you the difference between a greenhouse and cold frame, while also letting you know the pros and cons of both. After getting to the end of the blog, you will definitely be in a better position to decide as to which option is the best for you.

Why Are Polycarbonate Sheets Becoming More Popular For Roofs?

Both commercial and residential applications use polycarbonates for building roofs where transparency is required or preferred. While residential applications may use polycarbonates for patios, skylights, indoor partitions, and windows; commercial polycarbonate applications may include greenhouses, conservatories, sports stadiums, railway stations, and airports. Polycarbonate could either be used as a clear transparent film, or textured roofs for a fancier effect. Multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets could also be used where a cushion-like effect is required to enhance insulation. Polycarbonate sheets are also available in various standard colours, which makes them a preferable option for designers and architects to provide the polycarbonate structure with an added visual appeal. However, there are many more reasons why Tuflite Polymers polycarbonate roofing sheets are becoming more and more popular among designers, architects, and other professionals of the like. Let us take a look at some of these reasons.

How Versatile Is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is the new popular transparent material used for roofing and coverings that is replacing glass in the construction industry because of various reasons. The properties of durability, flexibility, lightweight, UV protection, impact resistance, fire resistance, and much more has led the material to grow and gain popularity by leaps and bounds. And, these diverse properties uniquely blended in one single material have made polycarbonateroofing sheets not only popular in the construction and architectural fields, but many other disciplines too. High quality polycarbonates are used in a myriad of applications.

Food industry

Containing carbonate groups, and produced by the reaction of bisphenol-A (BPA) and phosgene (COCl₂), polycarbonate has been proven to be totally food safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This has been testified after years of extensive examinations and tests performed by scientists, agencies, academia, and the plastic industry. Polycarbonate has thus gained popularity in the food industry too. However, the polycarbonate used in the food industry is cleaned in dishwashers, cooked in microwaves, sterilized, and stored in a variety of temperatures, to make it completely reliable and safe.

Greenhouses

One of the most widely used applications of polycarbonate is for building greenhouses. Because polycarbonate is very strong and virtually unbreakable, even with the strongest of impacts, and can withstand any kind of temperatures and environmental conditions, it has been used in place of glass for building a variety of structures. However, one unique property that is most useful in the case of building greenhouses is its transparency blended with protection. While it is as transparent as glass to help bring in maximum sunlight for the plants to grow, it also has a special UV protective layer on one side which reflects and keeps away the harmful UV radiations of the sun from entering the structure. This helps reduce the possible damage done to plants in a glass greenhouse. In this way, plants get maximum “safe” sunlight to help them grow better.

Police and security

Recognizing that the equipment used for police force and security personnel is made from polycarbonate will help you realize the ultimate strength of the material! Polycarbonate is being popularly used to make prison windows, protective visors, riot shields, and much more required for security purposes. And, when polycarbonates used are those that come with an additional anti-scratch coating, there can be nothing better! In fact, recognizing the strength of polycarbonate to be used in the security industry has led to many people building their home and office windows with this material to make it difficult for thieves to break in.

Electrical and hardware industry

Polycarbonate is being highly used to make various kinds of hardware gadgets and electrical accessories like cell phones, computers, sensor parts, connectors, and switching relays. Being one of the safest and most durable materials with high impact resistant qualities, polycarbonate is gaining such wide usage in these sectors.

Other applications of polycarbonate include transparent sections of the car, CDs, DVDs, optical lenses, windshields, and much more where a stylish and effective look is required. For any of the mentioned applications, or any other purpose where transparency with durability is required, you can use polycarbonate. And, you can get the best quality materials at Tuflite Polymers, one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of a variety of polycarbonate roofing sheets in the country.

Should You Repair Or Replace Your Roof?

We generally don't pay enough attention to our roof till it starts to crack, chip, and break. We are always worried about our walls and flooring, but we forget that it is our roofs that are highly exposed to outdoor environments like rain, wind, storm, UV rays, and snow. Eventually with time, these environmental factors tend to weaken the roof, thus causing havoc. As soon as you see any kind of leaks or cracks, you must make it a point to take instant steps towards resolving it. You may either repair your roof or replace it entirely. But, how would you know which step to take? Let us help you. There are many things you need to consider before choosing between a roof repair and roof replacement, such as those mentioned below.

How Has ETFE Evolved Over The Years?

ETFE is going publically popular, and is being used to construct world famous structures like Beijing National Aquatics Center, Germany Allianz Arena, Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, Mexico Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Newport Railway Station, and many others. So, what is the reason behind such popularity?

How Can Polycarbonates Protect You Against Calamities

Human beings are always under security threats and dangers. We never know what could happen – accidents, fires, thefts, murder, cyclones, earthquakes! Although we can’t stop all of this from happening, but we can always be alert and keep ourselves protected against these as much as possible. After all, we all know that prevention is better than cure. We can’t control natural calamities, fires, winds, rains, and thefts from occurring, but we can always keep us and our buildings protected against them. But how? Polycarbonates! Building our structures with polycarbonate can help us add an additional protection layer against these issues.

How To Safely Install A Polycarbonate Roof - Tuflite Polymers

Polycarbonate sheets have innumerous benefits over other traditional materials like glass, which is why it is preferred by most designers and architects for building transparent structures. And, this is the reason so many polycarbonate sheetmanufacturers are coming up in the country.

Fiberglass Or Polycarbonate – Which Roofing Sheets Should You Use?

With innumerous options available in constructional materials for all kinds of residential and commercial roofs, two of the most popular materials used today are fiberglass and polycarbonate. Now, when you are considering building a new structure or replacing the roof of your existing structure, you may be confused as to which material you should use. It is true that no material can have all the good points against another. But, you would definitely want to choose the one that has more benefits over the other; or the one that suits your particular requirements. So, how do you decide? This blog will let you know the aspects of both fiberglass and polycarbonate roofing sheets so that you can make an informed decision while buying your roof.

Why Should You Choose Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheets?

As the name suggests, multiwall polycarbonates are those polycarbonate sheets that have multiple walls. Instead of a single layer, when the polycarbonate has two layers of sheets combined, it is known as Twinwall Polycarbonate; and when the layers are three or more, it is known as Multiwall Polycarbonate. These multiwall polycarbonates come in a variety of thicknesses. So, what is it that makes polycarbonate multiwallsheets better than any other transparent roofing material? Why should you choose multiwall polycarbonate sheets for your application? Here is your answer.

Should You Use Glass Or Polycarbonate For Your Conservatory Roof?

First built in the 16^th century, and becoming more popular in the 19^th century, conservatories began being traditionally built, attached to the house on one side to grow citrus fruits, tropical plants, and flower displays. They began being used as glasshouses to geodesic domes to social usage and more. Initially, it was only glass being used to build such conservatories, but today, other materials like polycarbonates are also being used. Whether being built in private gardens or parks or botanical institutions, these beautiful structures are being built with various materials in different designs. So, if you are also planning to build a conservatory anywhere around the world, you would also wonder as to which material to use – traditional glass or contemporary polycarbonate. Worry not! We have the answer to this question.

What Makes Polycarbonate Superior To Fiberglass - Tuflite Polymers

The debate of whether polycarbonate is better or fiber glass for construction of roofs has been going on since a long time. Although both have their own pros and cons, and distinctions, you need to be able to choose on one of the materials when you are planning for a roof construction or renovation. And, as polycarbonate sheetmanufacturers, professionals know that polycarbonate will definitely prove to be superior to fiberglass. And, this is not because they deal with polycarbonate sheets, but because this is the universal truth. Polycarbonate beats fiberglass in various aspects, which you can read about in this blog, and decide whether what we say is right or wrong.

What Are The Benefits Of Corrugated Polycarbonate Roofs - Tuflite Polymers

You can have a roof made of glass, metal, slate, tiles, and shingles for your property. But, polycarbonate is what you must use when you are looking for roofs that are transparent and durable at the same time. And to be even more precise, corrugated polycarbonate roofing sheets are what you must choose for superior performance that can also provide energy saving through daylight harvesting. Whether residential or commercial, these sheets can be your wisest option. Why? The blog below will answer your question.

Where Can Twin Wall Polycarbonate Panels Be Used - Tuflite

Home improvements or a new home? Office renovation or a new office? Or are you planning to build up any other structure that requires transparent durable roofing? Twin wall polycarbonate panels are what you must choose to use. Why? Because there are number of benefits to using this material. These include ease of installation, high impact strength, high light transmission, temperature tolerance, light in weight, thermal insulation, fire resistance, non-toxic properties, and weathering resistance. These are only some of the qualities that you can have while working with twin wall polycarbonates. Moreover, you can easily get these panels from the many polycarbonate sheet manufacturers available. These properties and easy availability have led these materials to become highly popular in the construction industry to be used in a variety of structures like those mentioned below.

What Makes Polycarbonate Multiwall Sheets So Popular?

Polycarbonate multiwall sheets have superior qualities that combine the attributes and advantages of both polycarbonates and multiwall designs. These multiwall sheets have changed the way people think about roofing solutions today. Home decorators, interior designers, and architects have found a new and easier way to add strength, durability, and design to roofs of homes, offices, and other commercial structures. Today, it is very easy to find these sheets in the market because of their popularity.  There are many manufacturers and suppliers today who can provide you with these roof panels in many varieties. However, you need to make sure that you are buying you polycarbonate roofing sheets from reputed and reliable manufacturers who can provide you both quality and best price. But, what has made polycarbonate multiwall sheets so admired? Let’s take a look at some of those qualities that has led to this popularity.

Why Have Polycarbonates Replaced Glass?

There are lots of materials available for constructional purposes in the market today. Although glass was the traditional material used in the industry, it is now being replaced by other materials that have better qualities than glass. One of the most popular materials that have replaced glass is polycarbonate. Earlier, polycarbonate was expensive which was why it was used only in commercial industries like restaurants, café rooftops, etc. However, with it becoming more affordable in recent times and with people realizing the cost-effectiveness of this material, it has found a place in residential structures too.

Why Are Infrared Blocking Polycarbonate Sheets Beneficial?

The visible spectrum of light ranges between 390nm and 700nm. Infra red light goes above 700nm, while the light below 390nm is the ultraviolet light. Sunlight is a mixture of electromagnetic waves ranging from infrared to ultraviolet rays, and visible light in between. This sunlight can cause the inside of buildings to heat up when it passes through the windows. Lower wavelength light has more energy than high energy light, thus causing faster heating. Therefore, visible light has more energy than infrared light, which causes more heating up. So what are we supposed to do? Keep the windows shut and covered with drapes throughout the day? Well, there is a better option. Read the blog below to know.

Why Should You Opt For Polycarbonate Sheets?

Polycarbonate is replacing glass in a wide variety of applications today. Where glass was traditionally used in a wide range of applications since years, today polycarbonate seems to be gaining more popularity. This is because it is as transparent as glass, but is comparatively more durable, sturdy, unbreakable and light in weight. These are not the only properties that make polycarbonate a superior option. There is a complete list of advantages people can have with this material. Because of its innumerous benefits, polycarbonate sheets are being widely used in various fields like agriculture, construction, industrial, residential, ornaments, police force and much more.

Bringing in the benefits of glass by providing maximum transparency and bringing in sunlight to the fullest, polycarbonate also reflects the harmful UV radiations coming from the sun, thus keeping humans and plants within the structure free from damage caused by sun. Moreover, polycarbonate weighs only half of what glass weight, which makes it not only easy to transport and handle, but also very easy to install. The impact strength of polycarbonate is 200 times more than glass. This makes polycarbonate the best material to be used in places that have a high potential of encountering wind, storm, rain and hail. Also, polycarbonate can be easily drilled, cut and sawed without worrying about any cracks or breaks due to it being so strong as compared to brittle glass. Another reason why polycarbonate is preferred is because unlike glass that carries water drops on its surface that reduces light transmission and hinders plant growth, polycarbonate does not allow for condensation to take place on its surface.

Both hollow and solid polycarbonates are used in construction industries. Though solid polycarbonates are much stronger and relatively cheaper, hollow sheets are superior in terms of thermal insulation. Both solid sheets and hollow sheets are used in skylights, pergolas, greenhouses, skywalks, stadium roofing, awnings and indoor partitions.

Polycarbonates are a perfect combination of light-weightedness, high impact strength, light transmission, UV protection, anti-drop and beauty. All these properties have gradually increased the usage of polycarbonates, which in turn has resulted in an increase in polycarbonate sheet manufacturers across the globe. Smooth surface polycarbonates are manufactured for perfect light transmission purposes, while embossed and frosted designs are manufactured to be used for decorating buildings and for giving them an attractive view. Whatever kind of polycarbonate sheets you are looking for – solid, textured, single-walled, double-walled, multi-walled, corrugated or architectural – you can get the best-in-class sheets at Tuflite Polymers, a reputed name in the industry since more than two decades. 

        Tuflite on Social Media - Facebook | Twitter | LinkeIn | Google+ | Pinterest

Choosing The Perfect Tuflite Roofing

When you are building up a new home or looking to renovate your commercial building, the roofing system needs to be one of the most thought-after aspects. Majority of people will look for damage, discolouration and any other defects in their walls and flooring, but tend to overlook their roof. Also, they will want strong walls and durable flooring, but for their roofing, they may opt for inexpensive materials. The roofing system seems to be left out in the entire construction and renovating process. This attitude is in fact very wrong. Just as much attention you pay to the materials and construction of your walls and flooring, you must consider your roofs equally important too.

Apart from your walls, it is also your roof that keeps you safe and protected against harsh elements like rain, wind, snow and the scorching heat of the sun. Choosing a comparatively inexpensive roofing system will provide you with benefits only for a limited period of time. On the other hand, good quality roofs like Tuflite polycarbonateroofing will prove to be your best decision for bringing a durable solution to your home or commercial space for a long time. These roofs provide durability, cost-efficiency and beauty along with a list of many more benefits. There is a wide range of polycarbonate sheets available in many options of types, grades and colours.

Here are some guidelines that will help you make the right choice as to which polycarbonate sheet you must opt for depending on the location.

·        Consider the weather conditions of your location. If you stay in a place that observes extreme outdoor weather conditions of heat and cold, you can opt for multiwall polycarbonate sheets. These sheets are designed to withstand extreme temperatures while retaining their normal mechanical properties at temperatures ranging between -40 and +120 degrees Celsius.

·        If the place where your residential or commercial building is located is prone to fire, for example in industrial areas, you must opt for multiwall or corrugated sheets as these sheets are flame resistant and do not release toxic fumes, thus posing zero threat to human life in case of fire.

·        If your location is in an area that has plenty of rains or snow throughout the year, for example in coastal areas that have salt spray in the air, you must opt for architectural systems polycarbonate sheets as their structural design equips them with the strength to tolerate snow loads and heavy wind, and makes them completely watertight.

Whatever your requirement – skylights, pergolas, greenhouses, skywalks, carports, stadium roofing, awnings, indoor partitions, billboards, signages, advertising light boxes, police shields, or safety glazing, polycarbonate sheets will do the job perfectly well. Just make sure to choose the right type of polycarbonate roofing and opt for a reliable supplier like Tuflite Polymers.

        Tuflite on Social Media - Facebook | Twitter | LinkeIn | Google+ | Pinterest