Everything About Twin-wall Polycarbonate Sheet

What Is a Twin-wall Polycarbonate Sheet?

Twin-wall polycarbonate sheet is a multi-layered polycarbonate sheet usually used for roofing or greenhouse purposes and provides excellent thermal efficiency. The polycarbonate sheet is 12 times lighter than glass, but it is unbreakable.

This sheet has interconnected channels that make small chambers inside the two layers of polycarbonate, which reduces your energy cost as the air chambers or empty pockets give additional insulation and saves energy. This is a perfect material for greenhouses or roofing for golf carts. It gives protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays and offers great light transmission, Enabling it to be an excellent choice for both home and industrial uses.

How to Cut Twin-wall Polycarbonate Sheets?

Twin-wall polycarbonate sheet is one type of polycarbonate sheet, therefore, you can cut a small piece with a box knife. But when it comes to larger pieces, like for greenhouse or roofing panels, you’ll need to use a tool. A circular saw, jigsaw, table saw or any other fine blades are recommended for this.

Box-knife is not recommended for larger cuts across the panel. Your choice of the tool also depends on the width of the panel.

Here are some guidelines to follow when cutting the material:

At first, mark the required size on the cover film by measuring the amount with a measuring tape;
For cutting parallel to the flutes, a box-knife can be used, but for cutting across the flute sharp and fine blade jigsaw is required;
If you require it to be cut curved, you need to use a jigsaw and keep the measurements perfect;
A table saw can also be used for cutting a twin wall polycarbonate panel, just like other products;
You can use a circular saw as well, but you need to balance the speed to slow cutting, resulting in the melting of the polycarbonate, which is not expected;
Use a saber saw for rounding corners or making a hole into your panel.

Caution: These instruments are hazardous and have sharp blades that are cautious if used in the wrong way. To avoid accidents, cut your twin wall polycarbonate sheet without any disturbance and with safety measures. Maybe, you want to know more about machining polycarbonate.

How to Install a Twin-wall Polycarbonate Sheet?

Before installing your polycarbonate sheet, drill a few holes at the lower end of the sheet to fix it firmly by adding screws to the drilled holes. This will prevent the sheet from moving once installed;
The dust created by drilling the polycarbonate sheet should be cleaned from the inner rooms by a vacuum cleaner;
Now push the twin-wall polycarbonate sheet between the glazing bars and ensure that the printed film is facing upwards;
Afterward, close the open ends with a ceiling tape to avoid breathing and airflow inside the twin wall polycarbonate sheet;
Ensure the ceiling tape is not torn or leaked that might result in the sheet’s breathing;
You need to keep in mind that polycarbonate sheets tend to expand under different temperatures and pressures, and you might expect up to 3 mm expansion. So keep at least a 3mm distance between the glazing bar and the sheet;
After pushing the polycarbonate sheet in the right position and installing screws to the drilled holes, close the holes with a rubber cap or plastic cap to avoid breathing;
If you are installing more than one twin-wall polycarbonate sheet, you need to keep some space between the sheets and install a glazing bar between the twin-wall polycarbonate sheets;
Now, you need to install a ‘T’ shaped glazing bar between the two sheets by keeping a 3mm distance;
Then you have to hit the upper surface of the glazing bar with a rubber hammer until it flattens with the sheet’s surface. This is the correct way to install a glazing bar between sheets;
Don’t hit the glazing bar too hard because it will make the button part go downwards.
Ensure the glazing bar is flattened with the sheet’s surface, but the base of the glazing bar is not bending downwards;
Now shut the closing ends with ‘F’ and ‘U’ profile glazing bars to stop breathing;

Congratulations! you have successfully installed your twin-wall polycarbonate sheet.

How Strong Is Twin-wall Polycarbonate Plastic?

This plastic is virtually unbreakable. They are 200x times stronger than glass and it is a good tool to use as a roof. It can resist adverse weather and hailstorm and wind. These unbreakable and weather-resistant sheets are widely popular for greenhouse and roofing applications, especially in storm-prone areas or and harsh weather conditions.

Can You Bend the Twin-wall Polycarbonate Panel?

Yes, the twin-wall polycarbonate is strong and can be bent or curved according to the need, but this should be bent longitudinally and never across the sheet’s width. Nomally, the bending radius is 150 times longer than thickness;

Can I use twin wall polycarbonate as roofing sheet?

Yes, but I recommend you to use polycarbonate roofing panel, which is designed for roofing application, only. Otherwise, corrugated polycarbonate sheet is also a good choice.

How to Clean Twin-wall Polycarbonate?

It is easy to clean polycarbonate sheet. First, you need to apply water on the polycarbonate sheet with a water sprayer or pipe.

Then soak a soft cloth or a sponge in the soap water (mild) and gently rub the sheet to clean the dirt on it. Avoid using rough or hard clothes to clean the polycarbonate sheet because it might result in scratch marks.

After rubbing the polycarbonate sheet, thoroughly spray water over it and remove the soap from the panel. This is as simple as it looks.

Can Twin-walls Be Used for Greenhouses?

Twin-wall polycarbonate is an ideal roofing sheet for the greenhouse. You can choose the material with confidence for your greenhouse project. It’s 12 times lighter than glass and traps the heat inside the greenhouse.

Plastic has better heat retention capacity than glass, and heat loss is controlled too. Twin-wall polycarbonate traps the sun’s heat inside and saves the energy to help the plants survive in cold countries.

In addition to that, twin-wall polycarbonate protects your plants from the harmful UV rays of the sun. And it is very water-resistant, which means condensation on the inside is rare.

The twin-wall polycarbonate can cope with the four-season demands and is used according to the need. The insulative property helps heat consumption.

Consider this versatile material for your next greenhouse project for the best results.

Cost of Twin-wall Panels?

The cost of twin wall panels varies from the size and width of the panel. Generally, 10mm twin-wall polycarbonate panels range from $2.30-2.80, but the price might vary depending on your recommendations and preferences.

If you’re looking for a quotation, please feel free to give us a knock and get the best price in no time!

End Note

These are the most frequently asked questions on the web about this particular plastic. Still got questions? No worries!

Shoot us your questions now in the chat box or through our email, and I’ll personally reach out to you.

Otherwise, UVPLASTIC is a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate sheet, who can provide in all forms, if you are intersted in it, feel free to let us know.