Why Weprofab Polycarbonate Skylight

Weprofab polycarbonate skylight is one of the most popular choices for rooflight around the world.

It is often used to cover the roof area for daylight purposes, to flow the sunlight into the room, and use the sunlight to its maximum use through day time.

Polycarbonate skylight can give your home ventilation as well as light.

Polycarbonate skylight will not only herd a light inside but also has a UV radiations for protection and produce fascinating light effects.

It features a great physical size that has an optimum level of temperature space.

Weprofab is one of the professional manufacturers of polycarbonate skylight in China.

We make and design polycarbonate skylight with high quality yet economical products.

We pursue on creating and innovate our polycarbonate products to give an outstanding level of product performance to our valuable customers and meet their specific standards when it comes to polycarbonate skylight for their project and related business.

Weprofab always provides a durable polycarbonate skylight in order to meet the client’s expectations towards our products.

100% came from a good quality of raw materials.

It has a higher breakage resistant, scratch resistance, heat resistance, fire resistance, and most of all tough and has an optical quality.

Most of our polycarbonate skylight are easy to install and ease of handling.

As one of the leading manufacturers of polycarbonate skylight, we manufacture a broad variety of polycarbonate skylight with a wide range of applications.

In Weprofab, we continue to produce high quality products with high standards.

We are committed to bring our best in providing delicate products through our advanced technology equipment in creating and design your polycarbonate skylight.

Weprofab has a knowledgeable engineer and staff to make your perfect polycarbonate skylight for your business.

Need a polycarbonate skylight to skyrocket your business, don’t hesitate to contact us now!

Polycarbonate Skylight: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

In this guide, you will get all the answers to any question you could be having about polycarbonate skylights.

Specifically, the guide focuses on both basic to advanced specifications about polycarbonate skylights.

Our goal?

To make you an expert in the skylights made from polycarbonate.

What is Polycarbonate Skylight?

Also known as polycarbonate roof light, polycarbonate skylights are transparent or colored sheets that are used for filling up envelop openings in the roof of a building, covering part of the whole area of the roof, for daylight purposes.

Polycarbonate skylight

These polycarbonate roofing panels permit natural sunlight to enter your room and illuminate it.

This is instrumental in ensuring maximum utilization of sunlight throughout the day.

This type of skylight not only permits maximum light into your space, it will as well shield you from the harmful UV rays.

In addition, they will function as light diffusers helping in softening the incoming sun rays and produce fascinating light effects.

You can use polycarbonate skylight together with steel roofing or other types of roofing materials.

Is Polycarbonate Skylight better than Glass Skylight?

Here are some of the reasons why polycarbonate rooflight is better than glass skylight:

1) Adaptability

As opposed to its common rivals like glass, polycarbonate skylight is totally transparent instead of opaque or translucent.

Thus it features the clarity of glass rooflight having few of the disadvantages.

For instance, one of the most apparent advantages of polycarbonate skylight over glass skylight is its extreme flexibility.

You can easily adapt it to arched profiles and, so is its workability, this can be performed on-site without any special equipment.

Moreover, you can easily and safely drill through polycarbonate rooflight to create holes for fixings or cables if needed.

On-site cutting to fit and trimming to shape of polycarbonate roofing sheets is very easy, implying off-site fabrication and millimeter-perfect measurements are normally not needed.

2) Weight

The lightweight of this skylight type is another factor that makes it a better alternative than glass skylight.

Polycarbonate roofing panels weigh lower than half the weight of equivalent glass skylight.

This allows easy handling by workers, even in cases of large pieces.

Also, the structures required to prop it up can as well be less protruding, hence according to a cleaner line to the skylight and the property in general.

3) Environment-friendly

Polycarbonate skylight has the lead when it comes to eco-friendliness.

Less energy is required to produce polycarbonate roofing sheets than rival products and dissimilar from glass skylights, you can easily recycle them.

4) Durability

Polycarbonate skylight does not require constant maintenance or replacement since it boasts of a very long lifespan.

Typically, it will maintain its shape, appearance and continue to function for several years.

In spite of the durability, polycarbonate rooflight is equally unique in the sense that filter applied or tinted types do not discolor with time.

5) Resilience

This is the key selling point of polycarbonate roofing panels as it can sustain high impact and is essentially shatterproof, which is the contrast with glass skylights.

Due to this, polycarbonate skylights can cope with extraordinary environmental scenarios.

For example, it will not fracture, bend or break when under heavyweight of snows or in the event of hailstorms.

This type of skylight is famous in many countries. It remains unaffected by both extreme heat and sub-zero temperatures (they maintain their toughness from -50 degrees Celsius to about 140 degrees Celsius).

In addition, polycarbonate skylights equally block dangerous sun rays from getting into your house through the absorption of nearly all UV rays in the sunlight that goes via it.

6) Insulation

The low thermal conductivity of polycarbonate roof lights makes them perfect insulators, specifically lightweight multiwall types.

This type of polycarbonate skylight encloses cold air within the space between its layers in the same manner as conventional double-glazing.

In addition, the skylights boast of high ignition temperature of 580 degrees Celsius making it exceptionally safe in case of a fire.

What is the Function of Polycarbonate Skylight?

 Skylight

The primary role of polycarbonate skylight is to allow entry of sunlight into a building thus, providing natural daylighting.

They enable the occupants of a building to visually connect with the outside environment.

Combining side lighting through windows and top light from polycarbonate rooflight helps in maximizing day-lighting.

Skylights allow sun light to areas inside a room that side lighting is not able to reach, assisting in natural light illumination of your space throughout the day.

Polycarbonate roofing panels, even during dark cloudy days, are about 10 times more effective than side lighting.

What are the Benefits of Polycarbonate Skylight?

Polycarbonate sheet

· Cost Saving

Polycarbonate skylights help cutting costs since with natural light entering your building, you will use fewer to no lights inside and for shorter periods throughout the day.

This reduces the use of electrical lighting which in turn helps in conserving energy, thus reducing expenses and lowering environmental effects.

Practically, rooflights can lower the usage of electrical energy for lighting by up to about 80 percent.

· Health Benefits

Furthermore, the natural light coming in through polycarbonate skylight relieves stress and gives health benefits.

The sheets allow sun rays to pass through it but block dangerous UV rays, which may lead to skin problems.

Therefore, polycarbonate panels only permit into your room the good segment of sunlight.

· Resistant to Extreme Weather Conditions

Skylights fabricated using polycarbonate are resistant to impact and extreme weather conditions such as very high or very low temperatures, hailstorms, and snow among others.

This makes the roofing panels stay free from due to various impacts thus long lifespan.

· Lightweight

Polycarbonate is very light in comparison to other materials such as acrylic, glass and other plastics.

This implies transporting and installing it is very easy, which usually leads to reduced labor costs.

· Variety of Styles

Polycarbonate rooflights come in a variety of shades from transparent, glass-like shades to opaque shades.

You can also find translucent or tinted types of different colors based on the requirements of your application.

Between Clear and Tinted Polycarbonate Sheet Skylight: Which one is better?

Clear polycarbonate sheet

Different colors of polycarbonate sheet

The different shades and tints of polycarbonate rooflight are not only for aesthetic purposes.

Every shade and color gives a varying effect on the heat, UV radiation and light that can pass through the panel.

Clear polycarbonate sheet skylights, for instance, give high UV radiation and light transmission, and this makes it perfect for outdoor areas.

Tinted types, on the other hand, permit relatively lower amounts of transmission, but provide the same thermal conductivity.

As a rule of thumb, the more sunlight that enters via the polycarbonate panel skylight the hotter it will get inside your building.

However, there exist a handful of exceptions to this principle and these inclined to fall in the premium ranges in the various brands of polycarbonate skylight.

Roofing panels of this kind skew the available proportion of light without allowing much heat via them. They are capable of reflecting a greater portion of the heat.

In a nutshell, clear polycarbonate panel skylights can be a perfect option for outdoor spaces or cooler areas.

Whereas tinted polycarbonate sheet rooflights are suitable for warmer regions.

What is the Lifespan of Polycarbonate Sheet Skylight?

Generally, a polycarbonate skylight has a lifespan ranging from 10 to 20 years, based on the quality of its production and how well was its installation.

Installing the rooflight improperly can result in leaks along the edges of the roofing where it joins the building frame.

Also, we all know that a high standard manufacturing and quality control process will lead to a top quality and long-lasting product.

Nonetheless, some suppliers always warranty their polycarbonate sheet rooflights for the lifetime occupation of the building.

Remember, this is a fairly new product in the market.

There are not sufficient premises that have installed it for over 20 years to openly testify whether it would withstand through the lifespan of the home.

Note, you can as well affect the durability of a polycarbonate sheet skylight when you apply caulking or sealer to repair a crack.

This does not give the rooflight the “breathing space” it requires to vary (expand and contract) due to variations in weather.

This may lead to cracking, eventually resulting in a damaged skylight.

How much does Polycarbonate Skylight Panels Cost?

The price of polycarbonate panel skylights is about USD 100 for the ordinary types of rooflight.

However, they may be over USD 4000 for high-end types with extra features such as solar powered skylights.

The cost of polycarbonate roofing sheet depends on the size, thickness, type, and extra features.

 Solar powered skylight

Are there Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Skylight Sheets?

Yes, there are drawbacks polycarbonate roofing panels, however, the merits outweigh the demerits.

Here are some of the disadvantages of polycarbonate rooflights:

• Has only reasonable resistance to chemicals. Due to this reason, it deteriorates when subjected to a great number of organic solvents.
• Manufacturing needs high temperatures hence costly production. As a result, they cost more than standard ABS general use plastic resin.

Can you Drill Polycarbonate Skylight Sheets?

Drilling polycarbonate

Yes, you can drill polycarbonate sheets using conventional drill bits for woodworking.

But, do not forget to place a piece of material (acrylic or scrap wood) beneath the panel to function as a backstop.

This will make sure that the drilling does not blowout the roofing sheet as the drill leaves the hole.

You should not in any scenario utilize a center punch on any polycarbonate panel since it will lead to damage.

It is advisable you begin by making a tiny pilot hole to assist you to find the drill.

Exercise patience and carry out the drilling at a constant speed, pausing often to wipe out any chips accumulating around the drill.

Failure to do so has a high potential of causing overheating, which will consequently destroy the hole.

As you approach the other end of the polycarbonate roofing sheet, go on with the drilling through into the backstop so that you do not crack the exit hole.

How do you Install Polycarbonate Skylight Roofing Sheets?

Read through the polycarbonate skylight installation manual carefully before the actual installation.

You should ensure that all necessary accessories, tools, and materials are available.

Step 1: Safety First

Most importantly, ensure that you have at your disposal all the right safety equipment.

A safety harness and scaffold are not necessary, though essential when you will be working at heights.

Always ensure extreme caution when walking on polycarbonate sheets; you also need to be in the right footwear.

You should not walk on or exert your full weight directly onto the panels.

Step 2: Right Side Up

Before you install the polycarbonate roof sheeting, locate a sticker indicating the side of the panel that should face the sun.

You must ensure this since only one phase of sheets is UV protected.

Doing the installation with the unprotected phase subjected to the sun may result in discoloration and shortening of the lifespan of the polycarbonate panel.

Step 3: Installation

To begin the process of installing polycarbonate rooflight, spread the purlin tape on the rafter’s surface to avoid noise during expansion, then cut your roofing panels to size.

You can employ a fine-toothed handsaw, pair of shears or circular saw having a cut-off blade appropriate for plastic to cut the polycarbonate sheet.

Begin with the lower sheets, maintaining the holes where the panels overrun away from the wind.

Step 4: Allow Space for Expansion and Contraction

Be aware that polycarbonate panels naturally shift with variation in temperature.

Therefore, you will have to properly fix them to give room for this movement to take happen without problems.

Make sure that the fastening holes are broad enough to allow this movement, which will in turn prevent the buckling of the polycarbonate sheets.

Using large rubber around the fastening screws will help in sealing the panels preventing any leaks.

Step 5: Tighten Loose Fittings

You should tighten those fittings adequately to avoid rattling.

But know that over-tightening can result in excessive stress and distortion with probable failure in the polycarbonate skylight.

It is also recommended that you only utilize right branded fittings as suggested by the manufacturer.

Is Polycarbonate Skylight better than Acrylic Skylights?

Acrylic and polycarbonate skylight both boast of exceptional degrees of damage resistance.

In general terms polycarbonate rooflight is customarily better than acrylic skylight.

It has a much greater degree of impact resistance.

In addition, it is also practical to safely drill polycarbonate panels using an ordinary bit without any destruction

Whereas acrylic sheets are susceptible to crack when drilled closer to the edges.

Acrylic skylight

Does Polycarbonate Skylight Block UV Rays?

Absolutely, polycarbonate skylight have UV radiation protection capability essential in slowing and preventing harm from direct sunlight.

Polycarbonate roofing panels are thermoplastic polymers that permit sunlight via them but filters out UV rays.

Installing polycarbonate rooflight offers you peace of mind at the same time allowing you to bask in the summer sun.

Which are the different Designs of Polycarbonate Skylights?

There are different designs of polycarbonate sheet skylights to choose from depending on your roof type and use.

Let’s look at the most popularly used designs.

Polycarbonate skylight

1. Fixed Skylight

This is the most common design of polycarbonate panel skylight, and just as the name hints, they are permanent and cannot be opened for air ventilation.

Fundamentally, they are completely fastened to the roof of the building.

Skylights of this type are most suitable for poorly illuminated areas such as the stairwell and attics.

2. Curb-Mounted Skylights

These have shown to be among the most popular designs of polycarbonate skylights found in the market.

This design is comparatively inexpensive and fit perfectly in any kind of room or building set.

Curb-mounted rooflights can either be supplied by the manufacturer or you can fabricate them on-site.

In either situation, curbs should be multi-walled and insulated to aid in heat retention.

This design facilitates more adaptability in size coupled with being a perfect option to keep off leaks.

They are the simplest among all the designs of a skylight, this offers a rejuvenating setup without putting much weight on the structure of a building.

3. Ventilated Skylight

Among the different designs of polycarbonate skylight, this type is multi-purpose.

It acts as a source of light and natural ventilation.

They are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens since they maintain a consistent movement of fresh air and eliminate excess moisture within the room.

Moreover, it as well illuminates the space.

4. Tubular Skylight

This polycarbonate skylight design is a perfect fitting for providing daylighting to both commercial and residential buildings. It comprises of three main parts:

• A light collector fixed on the roof and usually comprises of a parabolic lens that facilitates the collection of light through the day. A frame holds these lenses.
• A highly-reflective tube through in which a diffuser lens reflects the collected light to the interior fixture.
• An interior fixture which can sometimes, as a backup, be supplied with electrical light at night or during cloudy days.

Tubular polycarbonate skylight are an ideal choice if the roof space needed for ventilated or fixed rooflight is insufficient or not available.

5. Pyramid Skylight

This polycarbonate rooflight design is found in a number of pitch or slope alternatives and is always installed on curbs placed on flat roofs.

They generally assume a pyramid shape mounted on a square opening and is usually four-sided.

Though this skylight design is normally referred to as pyramid when on a square opening if a similar one is installed on a rectangular opening it is called hip ridge skylight.

The structural engineering requirements and artistic intention of the architect determines the pitch of the rooflight.

The other kind in this class is the multi-faced pyramid rooflight, which is equally referred to as polygon skylight.

It can be fabricated on top of uneven multi-sided or 6 to 8 sided openings.

6. Dome Skylight

As the name hints, this design of polycarbonate skylight is in the shape of a dome, enabling even distribution of sunlight throughout the room.

The main advantage of this type of polycarbonate sheet rooflight is that it lights up the whole space even with minimal rays of light.

Dome polycarbonate rooflights are appropriate for both commercial and residential buildings.

Furthermore, you can also install them at the entrance of the premises.

It enhances lobbies or highlight decorations such as planters, murals, reflecting pools, paintings, and sculptures among other features.

7. Barrel Vault Skylight

This design of skylight gives a practical and affordable way of enabling daylighting to a lobby, an atrium or interior of a premise.

You can as well use them as walkway and entrance canopies and as roofing between adjoining buildings.

This type of skylight mostly encloses more than 80% or the entire roof area.

Barrel vault polycarbonate rooflight is often utilized in non-residential premises.

Though, it is highly recommended for parking shelters, passageways, mall arcades, canopies, educational and medical buildings, and industrial godowns.

They are not ideal for residential buildings since they have big area which will not allow for privacy.

8. Ridge Skylight

Polycarbonate skylights of this design are suitable in applications where the rooflight continues in a similar plane.

For example, that of pitch of the roof and the skylight ridge follows the outline of the roof ridge.

They can as well be installed on the curbs fixed on flat roofs having various pitch alternatives and coated vertical ends.

You can equally install ridge polycarbonate skylights to head-to-head walls on either or both sides.

Is there other Material that can Replace Polycarbonate Skylight Sheets?

Yes, the other materials for making skylights apart from polycarbonate panels include fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) panel, acrylic, and safety glass.

Each material comes with its benefits and drawbacks and need specific expertise for installation.

What should you Consider when Buying Polycarbonate Skylights?

Here are some of the factors to consider when shopping for polycarbonate panel skylight:

 Dome polycarbonate skylight

· Natural light vs. Aesthetic Value

Well, before making your choice, you should establish your desire.

Think of what you expect to achieve by installing the rooflight.

Basically, its purpose, that is, will you use it for daylighting or to add aesthetic value?

· Positioning

Positioning is equally crucial when buying a skylight as it will influence certain factors such as size and number of the rooflight.

· Size and Shape of the Space

At times the size and shape of the space to be illuminated can influence the choice of a polycarbonate sheet skylight.

However, one general principle applies for rooflights – bigger the better.

· Operability

Fundamentally, all types of polycarbonate sheet skylights are grouped into two main classes – fixed and vented.

Fixed types are non-operable and appropriate only for daylighting.

On the contrary, you can open the vented types, either by remote or manually, based on the type of rooflight unit.

Additionally, you will incur extra costs with remote-controlled vented polycarbonate panel skylights compared to manual type.

Also, they are susceptible to problems due to the fact that they consist of classy components.

Therefore, it will be necessary to consider the cost factor, positioning, and function

· Cost and Installation

Always factor in the cost of a polycarbonate skylight, extra accessories and features, warranties and installation cost among crucial expenses.

A quality 2 by 4 foot rooflight and flashing kit may cost roughly USD 150 to USD 500.

However, installation can include another USD 500 to USD 3,000 to the total cost.

Furthermore, the slope of the roof is another vital factor during the installation of polycarbonate skylights.

Roofs that are too steep or too flat require special methods of installation which can bring additional cost.

How can you Choose Polycarbonate Skylight Color?

Polycarbonate panel skylights come in a myriad of shades and colors.

For that matter, let’s look at some of the things you should when deciding on your choice of color.

 Skylight made from polycarbonate

i. Orientation

The orientation of your home plays a critical role in the color selection of your polycarbonate rooflight.

For example, western facing rooms may become very hot in the afternoon.

Therefore, you need cooler colored polycarbonate panels for such areas since they will receive the hot afternoon sun.

ii. Roof Height

As air gets heated, it rises, therefore, a room or building with a lower roof may feel warmer and vice versa.

In addition, the amount of airflow within building influences how you select the color of polycarbonate rooflight.

iii. Shading

Buildings or trees may provide shade to the area you intend to install the polycarbonate sheet skylight.

Factor in the period of the day you will use the rooflight covered room the most.

You should select polycarbonate sheets with color that permits more light when the area is shaded.

iv. Lighting

Do you need lots of light to a specific area of the building?

You can install light-colored polycarbonate panel skylight together with metal roofing to allow light into the room(s) where you require it most.

However, if your main concern is heat then you need to consider dark-colored polycarbonate sheeting.

v. Aesthetics

In some instances, you may wish to blend the color design to existing sections of the building.

Also, you want to achieve privacy using a more opaque color option or desire an amazing feature color.

Are Polycarbonate Skylight Sheets Resistant to Scratches?

Even though polycarbonate skylights are famous for their high impact resistance, they do not have high resistance to marring, scratching and abrasive surfaces.

Therefore, they are susceptible to dents if you do not take good care of them.

Typically, manufacturers add anti-scratch coating for extra protection.

What is the Recommended Thickness for Polycarbonate Skylight?

Polycarbonate skylight sheets come in different thicknesses, making them appropriate for various types of roofing.

Nonetheless, the recommended thickness falls between 32mm to 35mm though you can have custom-made ones to meet your exact requirements.

This thickness range of polycarbonate panel is suggested due to its superiority to acrylic and glass in terms of weather resistance, durability, and strength.

 Polycarbonate skylight

Can you Repair Damaged Polycarbonate Skylight Sheet?

Yes, you can repair minor damages on polycarbonate rooflight.

A small leak is mended by applying the accepted sealant.

Whereas you may seal a larger leak using a slice of matching sheet, attached and sealed on the opening utilizing a compatible sealant.

How do you Clean Polycarbonate Skylight?

Rain washes the majority of the usual dust and dirt off the surface of the polycarbonate panel skylight.

In dry regions, routine hosing of the sheets using lukewarm water is enough.

In contaminated, oily surroundings you may when necessary, use soft domestic dishwashing cleaner with a soft brush or rag.

You should not utilize glass window cleansers or abrasive/intense detergents as they may chemically react or scratch the panels.

In addition, never use carbon tetrachloride, benzene, acetone, gasoline or alkaline cleansers and never clean polycarbonate skylights at raised temperatures or in direct sunlight.

Which Type of Sealant Can you use on Polycarbonate Skylight?

The choice of sealant depends largely on the application.

Typically, the sealant or adhesive you use on polycarbonate rooflight panels should be clear to maintain visual clarity.

You can use cyanoacrylate glue (Super-Glue) for sealing small polycarbonate components, however, it does come with its disadvantages.

It is not appropriate for applications where exposure to water is unavoidable or which need impact strength.

While boasting of exceptional strength and adhesion, Two-component epoxy resins upon subjection to UV rays, are susceptible to turn yellow.

Additional, this type of sealant is prone to stress cracking as it is curing.

Use two-component polyurethane (PU) when sealing small pieces of polycarbonate skylight.

It is suitable because of the ease of using it, overall bond strength and clarity.

This polycarbonate sheet sealant guarantees outstanding impact strength and high resistance to UV radiation.

Two-component acrylic sealants are the ultimate option for sealing polycarbonate panels in structural applications.

Based on the type of sealing and exact application, you can find two-component acrylic sealant suitable for most applications.

With silicone sealant, use only the recommended type.

Typically, apply a one-component, 100 percent neutral cure sealant particularly manufactured for bonding polycarbonate.

This type of silicone sealant adheres perfectly to the polycarbonate sheet skylight even if it has an anti-scratch layer.

Furthermore, it will not result in discoloration of the polycarbonate sheets.

How do you Fasten Polycarbonate Skylight Sheets?

During installation, always utilize recommended fasteners for fixing polycarbonate sheets and never use nails to secure your polycarbonate skylight panels.

Screw fasteners at right angle to the surface of the panels and secure adequately.

The gasket/washer and the fastener head ought to sit tightly and completely on the face of the polycarbonate sheet, without pressing the gasket and deforming the washer.

Over-tightening will cause distortion of the washer, sheet and destroy the gasket, leading to panel damage and leakage, coming from excessive internal stresses.

Slanted insertion of the fasteners will distort the washer, destroy the gasket, leads to leakage and cause unnecessary stresses on the polycarbonate panels consequently resulting in failure.

To avoid these problems, you can secure the fasteners using a variable torque power-screw driver or by hand.

You should never utilize an impact wrench or driver for fixing polycarbonate skylight panels.

Is there Size Limitation for Polycarbonate Skylights?

Absolutely, the polycarbonate rooflight’s physical size greatly influences the temperature and level of illumination of the space underneath.

As a general rule, the size of the skylight should not be greater than 5 percent of the floor area within spaces having many windows.

Also, it must not be greater than 15 percent of the general floor area of rooms having few windows.

What Precautions should you take when fitting Polycarbonate Skylight?

a. You need to store the polycarbonate panels in the shelter on a nonabrasive, dried, plain, continuous surface.

Never keep the panels outdoors, subjected to rain or sun to prevent any likely distortion and disintegration of the panels and adhering of the imprinted film.

b. Exercise extreme precaution that the panels do not get exposed to chemicals capable of attacking polycarbonate material.

Make sure the sheets do not come into contact with solvent-based detergents, sprays, plasticized PVC roofing or any chemical capable of attacking polycarbonate rooflight sheets.

c. Install the panels with the face labelled “UV protection side” or “this side out” facing outwards.

d. When drilling, make the openings at least 3mm broader than the body of screw. Use washers of diameter 19 mm and 25mm for corrugated and industrial profiles respectively.

e. Do not apply excessive pressure during screwing down to enable shoot movement with fluctuating temperature.

Do not install polycarbonate skylight panels with unnecessary stresses that can result in micro-cracks or make them brittle.

f. Only utilize permitted soft washers of XLPE, neoprene or EPDM compatible with polycarbonate materials. You should never employ PVC washers.

g. Only utilize authorized sealants like neutral silicones.

h. The printed film should be removed as soon as the installation is completed.

Sunshine will cause the film to stick to the polycarbonate skylight sheets if you leave it on them.

i. Cleaning of the polycarbonate rooflight panels should be done using water and non-abrasive detergent and soft piece of cloth.

You should not clean them with brushes or solvents that may cause scratches.

What Quantity of Load Can Polycarbonate Skylight Hold?

Polycarbonate skylights should be constructed and installed in such a manner that they are in a position to hold loads of at least 90Kg applied at the right angle at any area of the panel.

How do you Test Quality of Polycarbonate Skylight?

Here are the common tests conducted to determine the quality of polycarbonate skylight sheets.

They are usually done according to ASTM standards during the manufacturing process.

· Tensile Test

This test is done using Universal Testing Machine (UTM) with the sample prepared as per ASTM standard D638-08.

· Flexural Test

Flexural strength testing is also done using Universal Testing Machine as per ASTM standard D790.

It tests the ability of the polycarbonate rooflight sheet to resist distortion under load.

· Izod Impact Test

This is a test that establishes the quantity of energy the polycarbonate panel absorbs during fracture.

The sample is prepared as per ASTM standard D256.

· Double Shear Test

Double shear test helps in establishing the shear strength of polycarbonate panel specimen.

The test is performed using a Universal testing machine.

· Hardness Test

Polycarbonate skylight sheet harness testing is often carried out using shore hardness test or the Rockwell hardness test.

Both techniques determine the resistance of the polycarbonate panel toward indentation, thus giving an empirical hardness figure.

Which Types of Polycarbonate Skylights sheets are there?

There are various types of polycarbonate rooflight sheets available in the market including corrugated, solid and multiwall.

These are produced for specific applications and give unique advantages.

When used properly and installed according to the guidelines of the manufacturers, every type provides exceptional longevity and strength.

· Corrugated Polycarbonate

 Corrugated polycarbonate skylight

Corrugated polycarbonate skylights offer the advantages of solid polycarbonate panels at affordable prices.

They guarantee durability courtesy of their corrugated design and unlike solid and multiwall types, they are available in only clear varieties.

They come in different thicknesses ranging from 0.8mm to 1mm and you have various lengths and widths to choose from, allowing you to achieve the needed overlap while averting wastage.

· Solid Polycarbonate

Solid polycarbonate rooflight is becoming popular due to its lightweight and safe option to glass.

This is a single layer polycarbonate which comes in several colors, including opal, bronze and clear.

You can find them in a variety of thicknesses spanning from 2mm and 12mm.

 Solid polycarbonate sheet for skylight

· Multiwall Polycarbonate

This is the common type of polycarbonate skylight, usually installed in conservatories, lobbies, and atrium among other areas.

They ensure excellent thermal insulation since they are made up of several layers.

Moreover, multiwall polycarbonate rooflight is equally soundproof allowing you to have a serene environment.

Multiwall polycarbonate comes in different colors comprising bronze, opal and clear and thickness ranging from 4mm to 25 mm.

You can choose a standard size or request for a cut-to-size panel.

 Multiwall polycarbonate sheet for skylight

What is the difference between Polycarbonate Skylight and Polycarbonate Roof Window?

Since suppliers and manufacturers refer to them differently, the majority of people are mistaken that a rooflight and skylight refer to two different items.

In essence, they refer to the same thing.

Whether you decide to refer to it as a rooflight or skylight, the product is basically designed to:

• Enhance the quantity of natural light entering a room
• Ventilate when it is a polycarbonate skylight that opens

Nevertheless, a roof window is a totally different product and there exists a great dissimilarity when referring to form and function.

Therefore, before deciding on which to go for, ensure you understand the difference between the two products.

A roof window refers to an outward unlocking window that forms part of a roof design.

It differs from a polycarbonate skylight in a few fundamental ways.

A polycarbonate roof window is usually an ideal alternative when you have the desire to let in both fresh air and light into the space.

Roof window needs to be fixed in similar orientation and in conformity with the nearby roof.

They are normally fixed at a minimum 15 degrees pitch and a skirt or flashing used to secure them into the roof.

Polycarbonate roof windows always come in smaller sizes which are standardized.

Most countries have rules that govern the installation of roof windows and the commonest regulation is the one that compels manufacturers to supply clients with a declaration of performance.

DOP highlights a summary of the performance of the material of the roof window and various test scenarios.

The tests typically cover parameters such as increased air pressure, extended and heavy rainfall and monitoring of leakage or air to prevent glass deflection and development of damps.

Clearly, there are many aspects of polycarbonate skylights – from choice of design, material, to quality testing.

Every aspect plays a vital role in the overall performance of the skylight made from polycarbonate.

At WeProFab, we are here to help you get the best polycarbonate skylights.

For questions, or any other information, contact us now.