Glossary Terms
Aluminum Tape: Tape used to cover the top end of a multiwall sheet to prevent water, dust, debris, and bugs from entering flutes.
Anti-Drip Coating: A unique proprietary hydrophilic coating which reduces the contact angle of condensation droplets. Also known as Dripgard.
Bending Radius: The minumum radius a sheet can bend without damaging or shortening its life.
Deflection: The degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. Also known as DMX.
Difussion: To spread in all directions. In horticultural terms, it is how the sun beams are scattered when passing through polycarbonate sheets.
Dripgard: Allows condensation to spread into a thin sheet rather than form into droplets. Also known as Anti-Drip coating.
Easy Clean: Self-cleaning polycarbonate sheet which features a unique hydrophobic coating on the outside surface. This coating reduces the surface tension of polcarbonate and increases the contact angle of water to the sheet. This causes larger droplets to form and wash away dirt, leaving the sheet almost spotless.
Flame Spread: The burning characteristics of building materials.
H-Channel: A polycarbonate profile used vertically to join two mulitwall polycarbonate sheets.
Impact Strength: The maximum force or energy of a blow (given by a fixed procedure) which can be withstood without fracture.
K-Value: The measurement of heat conductivity of a particular material.
Light Transmission: The percentage of visible light that passes through a sheet.
Multiwall: A polycarbonate sheet consisting of two or more layers depending on the thickness of the sheets. Flutes are formed by the vertical interior walls within the layers.
Point Fasten: A screw that is driven into wooden/metal structure by rotating, most commonly by means of a screwdriver.
Purlin: A horizontal beam that provides support for rafters.
R-Value: Measures heat gain. A higher r-value is better. To calculate the r-value take 1 and divide by the u-value.
Rafter: A series of vertical timbers, usually having a pronounced slope, used for supporting the sheathing and covering of a roof.
Shading Coefficient: The amount of heat passing through glazing (SC)
Smoke Density: The visibility through smoke when material is on fire.
Solar Heat Gain: How well heat is blocked from sunlight.
Solar Transmission: The amount of the sun’s radiation that passes through glazing.
SunXP: A polycarbonate sheet that offers a higher resistance to UV radiation, yellowing, and loss of light transmission.
Thermal Expansion/Contraction: The change in sheet length per degree of temperature change.
Thermal Installation: The hallow form of multiwall sheets provides excellent insulation characteristics with heat loss significantly lower than monowall glazing materials. Also known as the U-Value.
U-Value: Measures heat loss. The amountof energy transmitted through a material per square foot of glazing and per degree temperature difference. A lower u-value is better. To calculate the u-value take the k-value and divide by 5.678.
U Channel: A polycarbonate profile used horizontally to cap off the top and bottom of a multiwall polycarbonate sheet.
Vent Tape: Tape used on the bottom end of a multiwall sheet to allow for condensation to drain and to prevent water, dust, debris, and bugs from entering the flutes.
Weep Holes: Small holes drilled into the U-Channel every 12″ to allow for drainage on bottom of sheets.
Yellowing Index: The tendency of plastic to turn yellow upon long-term exposure to light.
Polycarbonate Multiwall Sheets
High-quality, low maintenance glazing that is built to last. Available in standard colors of clear, bronze, opal, white, and hammered glass.
Polycarbonate Greca Corrugated Sheets
These sheets have a high resistance to the harmful effects of weather. Available in standard colors of clear, bronze, opal, and softlite.
COMMERCIAL
From simple skylights to glass conservatories, retail or commercial greenhouses, polycarbonate sheets are used where light is imperative. Many architects prefer to use polycarbonate over glass because polycarbonate panels deliver high quality, low maintenance glazing.
RESIDENTIAL
Polycarbonate multiwall and corrugated sheets are tough, long lasting and very cost effective. They can easily be installed by any competent home owner. The tools required for your polycarbonate project are probably already in your garage or workshop such as a fine-blade circular saw, drill and screwdriver.
INDUSTRIAL
PVC panels are often used in industrial buildings for their remarkable durability, ease of installation, and outstanding versatility to line buildings. These lightweight corrugated panels are easy to handle and require no special equipment for installation. The smooth, polished surface makes clean up quick and easy! If you need low maintenance, hygienic or abuse resistance paneling for the interior of your buildings, PVC Interlocking Liner Panels are the answer.
AGRICULTURAL
Owners of agricultural buildings regularly choose to line buildings with virtually indestructible PVC liner panels or PVC Interlocking Liner Panels. The panels are easy to install, have remarkable durability, and are versatile. These lightweight panels are easy to handle and require no special equipment for installation. Clean up is quick and easy with PVC panels especially on the smooth, polished finish. If you need a low-maintenance, hygienic, or abuse resistant panel for the interior of your buildings, PVC panels are your answer