What is polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate is a versatile synthetic material with many applications. While it may resemble regular plastic in appearance, it offers significantly better properties. It is thermoplastic, meaning it can be shaped under heat to form various shapes and structures. This makes it easy to adapt to different construction needs – it's perfect for balcony and terrace enclosures, building roofs, shop windows, or greenhouse structures. It can also serve as an ideal roofing material for your terrace pergola.

Types of Polycarbonate

There are two main types of polycarbonate available on the market:

• Solid polycarbonate

• Multiwall (structured) polycarbonate

Both options are flexible, lightweight, and highly durable. Solid polycarbonate is also fully transparent, which makes it ideal for terrace roofing where maximum natural light is desired.

Tarasola uses multiwall polycarbonate in its structures, as it offers significantly better thermal insulation. This means your terrace can remain a comfortable place to relax, even on hot days.

Multiwall polycarbonate sheets are durable and weather-resistant. They feature an additional UV protection layer that effectively shields the material from harmful sun exposure. Importantly, polycarbonate is easy to maintain and keep clean, and thanks to its light transmission properties, it does not fully darken the space.

Polycarbonate terrace roofing – why is it worth it?

More and more people are choosing to cover their terraces with polycarbonate. And it’s no surprise once you realize the benefits this solution can bring you.

What are the main advantages of polycarbonate roofing?

• Good protection against weather conditions

• High light transmission

• Affordable price

• Affordable price

Good protection from the elements

Multiwall polycarbonate is resistant to rain, snow, and wind, and thanks to its protective coating, it also blocks UV radiation. This makes the terrace roof more durable.

If you also consider enclosing the sides of your terrace, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors almost all year round. For this purpose, you can use options such as patio blinds, shutters, or a fixed wall panel.

High light transmission

Clear and opal versions of multiwall polycarbonate offer good light transmission. This is an ideal solution if you don't want to completely darken your terrace area but still need protection from the sun. Sunlight reaches both the terrace and the interior of the house, but in a softened, less intense way.

Affordable price

Polycarbonate is one of the more affordable permanent terrace roofing options available on the market, especially when compared to louvered or fabric roofs.

Ease of Installation

Polycarbonate is lightweight, which makes installation easier and allows for hassle-free mounting in pergolas and other terrace structures.

Polycarbonate vs. Other Terrace Roofing Materials

On the market, you'll find various materials for terrace roofing, including glass, sheet metal, wood, fabric,or polycarbonate itself. Each of them has its pros and cons. So how does polycarbonate compare?

Polycarbonate vs. Glass

Glass terrace enclosures are a popular choice due to their aesthetics and excellent transparency, which allows full use of natural light. However, they are significantly heavier and more expensive than polycarbonate. They also require more robust supporting structures and are less impact-resistant — broken glass can be dangerous.

Cellular (multiwall) polycarbonate offers slightly lower light transmission but is lighter, more flexible, and resistant to mechanical damage.

Polycarbonate vs. Corrugated Sheet Metal

Corrugated sheet metal is a durable material resistant to weather conditions. Its major drawback, however, is complete shading of the terrace and the inability to use natural light. Compared to sheet metal, polycarbonate transmits light and is lighter, which reduces the cost of support structures. Additionally, metal is prone to corrosion and requires regular maintenance, while polycarbonate does not rust and is easy to keep clean.

Polycarbonate vs. Wood

Wood is a natural, aesthetic material. It gives terraces a warm and elegant appearance. However, wooden roofing requires regular maintenance to protect it from moisture, mold, and insects.

Polycarbonate is more resistant to weather conditions and doesn’t require additional upkeep. It’s also easier to install and less prone to mechanical damage.

Polycarbonate vs. Fabric Roofs

Modern terrace coverings are also made from materials that can be rolled up or pulled out. This allows control over the amount of light entering the terrace. Customers are often surprised by the durability of the robust three-layer Techprotect fabric. Such a roof is easy to clean and resistant to weather.

However, when compared with popular fabric pergolas bought at retail stores, polycarbonate proves to be a far more practical choice.

The material used in these types of products is usually acrylic awning fabric, which is not waterproof and only protects against sun and UV rays. Meanwhile, polycarbonate roofing is additionally resistant to weather conditions, such as heavy rain, wind, or snow.

Polycarbonate is also much easier to maintain – just wipe it with a sponge and water. Ready-made fabric awnings, on the other hand, require regular thorough cleaning to prevent dirt buildup.

What color of polycarbonate should you choose for your terrace?

To fully enjoy the benefits of a polycarbonate terrace roof, you need to make one more decision: choosing the right color of the material. This will help you achieve the desired aesthetic and functional effect.

Which polycarbonate color should you choose for your terrace?

• If you want maximum sunlight, choose clear polycarbonate, which lets through up to 37% of sunlight. This solution will let you enjoy natural light on the terrace for most of the day.
  
  It's ideal for places with moderate sun exposure, where you only need light coverage. This option will also prevent additional shading inside the house.

• Opal (milky) polycarbonate is a great solution if you're looking for a compromise between protection and access to light. It lets through about 19% of sunlight, providing a more subdued lighting for the terrace. It's a good choice if you want to limit sunlight but still keep the terrace bright and spacious.

When choosing a polycarbonate color, consider how much sunlight your terrace gets and how often and at what times you use it.

Is polycarbonate a good material for your terrace?

Polycarbonate is an excellent choice if you need protection from intense sunlight but don’t want to completely shade your terrace. It’s a lightweight, weather-resistant, and cost-effective material.

Keep in mind that polycarbonate despite its advantages is not eternal. It is a synthetic material that may undergo changes over time. However, over the course of several or even a dozen years, it performs its function very well. Additionally, some users notice characteristic cracking sounds, which may occur due to large temperature fluctuations.

Using this type of roofing will help you create a pleasant space that effectively protects against rain and excessive sun, while also maintaining a sense of lightness and openness.