If you’re wondering whether to install glass or polycarbonate in your patio or shed or roof system, there’s one question that you’re probably asking yourself: Does polycarbonate discolor over time? You already know that polycarbonate is unequalled as a building material because of its impressive properties. While it weighs half as much as glass, its impact strength is 250 times that of glass! Its durability is another one of its commanding features. Polycarbonate, which is used in the making of bulletproof shields, is nearly unbreakable. Colored polycarbonate sheets bring in the added attraction of beauty, as tinted plastic roof panels can add a stunning visual appeal to a building. At Danpal, we’re happy to assure you that polycarbonate’s assets, including maintaining its color, far outweigh any features which glass possesses.
Why Does Polycarbonate Turn Yellow?
First, we’ll address the question: Does polycarbonate discolor over time? Aging of any building material is inescapable, just as aging affects our own bodies as we get older. A standard, uncoated polycarbonate sheet will retain its visual appearance for approximately 5 to 7 years before the constant exposure to direct sunlight will begin to cause yellowing and discoloration. What our research and development team at Danpal has done is find ways for polycarbonate to maintain its attractive appearance for a longer time. It’s true that clear polycarbonate, if it hasn’t been coated, is vulnerable to the effects of sunlight. Danpal’s UV coating can extend the life of polycarbonate sheets to 15 years so that it lasts longer and looks great.
That UV coating that protects polycarbonate also protects you. Approximately 10 percent of the radiation that the sun generates comes in the form of UV or ultraviolet rays. Too much exposure to UV rays can possibly lead to melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. It also can cause less dire conditions such as wrinkling of the skin and freckling.
Just as we want our own personal appearance to retain a healthy look for as long as possible, we want the same for our buildings. A colored façade does so much to enhance the impression that a building makes upon the surrounding structures. You’ll find the colors, tints, and finishes that you want for your building when you consult with Danpal’s experts. Let your imagination soar over the polycarbonate as if you’re an artist with a palette in your hands.
Those tinted polycarbonate roof panels don’t just give a structure eye-catching beauty, however. They’re also capable of keeping areas cooler when it’s hot outside, thanks to their capacity to cut up to 70 percent of solar energy and reduce the amount of radiation that’s coming inside.
Does Polycarbonate Discolor Over Time If Proper Cleaning Methods Are Used?
Polycarbonate is a low-maintenance building material that keeps its appearance without a great deal of extra work on your part. However, proper cleaning products and methods are an important way to extend the life span of your clear and colored polycarbonate. Never use cleaners that contain ammonia! Ammonia is a common ingredient in many popular household cleaning products, but it can spoil the appearance of the polycarbonate parts of your deck or conservatory.
Even the cloth that you use matters when cleaning polycarbonate. Don’t use a dry cloth, or you may end up rubbing the dirt into the colored polycarbonate sheets and scratching them. As strong as polycarbonate is, it is susceptible to scratching, so remember to clean with care.
If you’re looking for a roofing system that will give your patio or shed long-lasting performance and beauty, look to Danpal for the colored polycarbonate that is going to withstand the rigors of weather and time, and add a unique beauty to the neighborhood.
