Polycarbonate has a multitude of uses in architecture, due to its lightweight nature, strength, insulative qualities, and creative opportunities. While some designers prefer translucent FRP systems, the qualities of polycarbonate systems, longevity, and creative control outweigh FRP benefits in many circumstances. From longer spans, lighter panel weight, and more light transmission, polycarbonate has many benefits in architecture.
Creating Private Interior Spaces
Translucent polycarbonate panels can provide natural lighting while maintaining privacy in office space, recreation centers, and healthcare facilities. The unique, honeycomb-like structure of cellular polycarbonate panels allows light to pass through, while maintaining less clarity for privacy.
Creative Light Diffusion
Polycarbonate skylights can bring zenith lighting into spaces while diffusing the sun’s rays without glare. Polycarbonate can be formed to a radius or used in a variety of configurations. Polycarbonate can even be used as a cost-effective lay light and suspended ceiling applications to provide light diffusion without replacing original skylights or harsh overhead lights. This is a cost-effective solution where total system replacement is not feasible.
Backlit Focal Point of Interest
Because of its light diffusion, polycarbonate walls are the perfect canvas for beacons/focal points of interest. They capture interest, help identify a brand, and create a community landmark. Polycarbonate is an ideal canvas for backlighting. Panels can be specified in matte and ant-reflective variations to create a backdrop for LED displays.
Distinctive Canopy Shapes
Canopy systems can creatively draw attention to a space, assist with wayfinding, and provide comfort to building occupants. Because of the lightweight nature of polycarbonate and aluminum, less structural support may be needed, keeping costs down. Panels can be installed diagonally for a unique appearance, can be curved to a radius, or aligned to create unique shapes. Many color options are available and even screen printed panels for further design flexibility.
Screen Walls
Backlit polycarbonate screen walls can be used to mask maintenance equipment on high rise buildings while making an impact.
Showcasing Graphics and Branding
Available with anti-reflective finishes, polycarbonate translucent walls can be an even, glowing canvas for branding signage and graphics. Printed graphics on panels can showcase brand identity or serve as an artistic installation.
Industrial Retrofits
For industrial buildings and retrofits, polycarbonate translucent walls are a cost-effective way to provide daylight and insulation into older buildings. Whether it’s through an overglazing systems or providing an entirely new window system, polycarbonate has many uses in retrofits. It’s important to note that rabbet depths for polycarbonate differ from other glazing types and may require horizontals based upon opening size and span loads. Our daylighting experts are here to assist with system integration.
Have a project in mind using polycarbonate systems? We hope to help inspire your creativity and answer your questions for a seamless integration through the project execution process.
