According to the European Polycarbonate Sheet Extruders (EPSE; Brussels), a trade association for producers of multiwall polycarbonate (PC) sheets and extrusion technologies, multiwall polycarbonate (PC) sheets have been on the market for more than 40 years. Cladding, roofing, skylights, sheds, greenhouses, and verandas have been the most common uses for this material in the building and construction industry. However, because of the material's environmental benefits and comparative cost advantage, it continues to find broader applications.
As of today, most industrial buildings are constructed of this multipurpose material, which the EPSE describes as possessing a "number of advantages" when it comes to complying with the High Environmental Quality standard, including insulation qualities, durability, and high impact resistance, among other characteristics. According to the EPSE, the multiwall PC sheets have insulation properties that are comparable to glass, but at a lower cost than glass.
According to the EPSE, the thermal insulation coefficient of multiwall PC can be as low as 1W/m2 K with simple panels (Our picks for the best greenhouses to help your plants thrive) or even lower when panels are combined in double-skin systems (with an air space between the cellular polycarbonate sheets) with an air space between the sheets. Additionally, because of its low cost, a complete façade is within reach.
Panels for multiwall construction can be customized to meet the needs of builders, and they are available in a variety of colors and finishes, such as translucent, opaque, and frosted. Multiwall PC panels can be easily integrated into an industrial structure or used as part of an interior design scheme. The ability to cold bend panels makes them a good fit for a wide range of specific requirements and makes it possible to create a specific form, which may add value to an architectural design by increasing its perceived value.
Considering that the panels can be cut to the desired length during the manufacturing process, the amount of waste from offcuts produced during on-site installation is kept to an absolute minimum. Furthermore, multiwall PC panels can be made from either virgin or recycled materials, depending on the application. According to the EPSE, the latter, on the other hand, must be derived exclusively from post-industrial waste.
According to the EPSE, PC is a sustainable material that has a minimal impact on the environment and is fully recyclable at the end of its useful life because of its inherent characteristics.