Because of its durability, polycarbonate comes out on top if the question of which is better, glass or polycarbonate, arises whenever decisions on construction materials need to be made. Why is durability so important, and why does glass rate so poorly in the polycarbonate vs glass matchup? Glass is too fragile to withstand the fierce forces of nature that a building endures over the course of its life span. Unlike polycarbonate, glass is easily damaged by weather or other factors that affect the durability of a building material. Shattering glass in the event of weather damage has the potential to not only lead to structural problems but can also cause harm to the occupants of the building. Polycarbonate is the more dependable, economical, energy efficient building material and in this article, we will provide proof to convince you that it should be your choice.
Why Is Polycarbonate Stronger Than Glass?
There are several reasons why polycarbonate is stronger than glass. If you want to make a comparison of polycarbonate or glass, you’ll be interested to learn that polycarbonate, which is used in the making of bulletproof shields for police officers, is regarded as an almost unbreakable material. While few buildings are going to need to be bulletproof, there’s another foe that can inflict severe damage on a structure. Weather is the enemy of a building. If you pause to think of the instances of bad weather in the past year, everything from blizzards to downpours to hail to high winds will likely come to mind. At Danpal, we have more than half a century of weather insights under our belts and we know in order for a building to withstand the elements, it needs to be stronger than what nature inflicts upon it.
Why Is Polycarbonate Sheet Better Than Glass?
While we can attest with confidence to the ways in which glass is inferior to polycarbonate, we invite you to consider the different structures which would specifically be constructed out of polycarbonate or glass. Greenhouses are one of the most obvious examples. Polycarbonate’s superior thermal efficiency means that a greenhouse’s growing season can extend longer. Glass lacks insulation which prevents it from shielding plants from the cold. If the growing season is shorter, the heat will need to be run longer, which costs more money. The same goes for roofing system for commercial buildings.
Finding Out Which Is Better Glass or Polycarbonate
By now you’re probably asking yourself, “Is polycarbonate better than glass?” We’ve shown you why polycarbonate is stronger than glass. We’re going to expand upon that to demonstrate why polycarbonate is actually better, all around, than glass. Even if you’re not planning to build a greenhouse, you might be concerned about the kind of direct light that is going to be coming into your structure. Natural light is popular, but glare is not. Polycarbonate admits a softer light while traditional glass lets in the harsh lighting.
We’ve told you how polycarbonate is superior to glass in its ability to withstand the cold, harsh extremes of winter weather. You may not have known that polycarbonate is also superior when it comes to heat resistance. The properties of traditional glass don’t allow it to withstand high temperatures because it absorbs heat. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, can handle exposure to as much as 270 degree temperatures for several hours. Not only that, but it can actually withstand a sudden burst of extreme heat as high as 1166 degrees without breaking or distorting.
At Team Danpal, we can give you lots of reasons to choose polycarbonate when you’re debating the strengths of polycarbonate vs glass. Here’s one that will be the ultimate reason why you should go for polycarbonate. Glass, because it’s not as strong, is more likely to break and need replacing. Polycarbonate’s properties give it an impressive life span that lasts for a long time. That saves you money. Another way that polycarbonate can be a friend to your wallet? Its insulating properties stabilize thermal efficiency to shrink your building’s carbon footprint and save you money on utility costs.
At Danpal, our commitment to Global Vision, Local Focus, is our way of making sure that our clients get the best product for their money. Polycarbonate is stronger than glass, more energy efficient than glass, more durable than glass. So what do you think? Which is better, glass or polycarbonate?
Contact Danpal if you want to choose the best solutions for your construction.