Solid polycarbonate sheet — also called PC solid sheet or unbreakable glass — is the glazing of choice for daylighting roofs and curved canopies where glass is too heavy and too fragile. Jietai manufactures solid polycarbonate in thicknesses from 1 mm to 30 mm, and this single material carries two of our recent daylighting projects: a restaurant banquet hall whose translucent roof floods the dining space with soft, even light, and a curved walkway canopy cold-bent into a smooth arch. Both installations replaced glass to cut structural weight, survive impact and hail, and keep their clarity through years of direct sun.
The Challenge
Daylighting roofs and canopies sit outdoors in direct sun and must satisfy three competing demands at once: transmit light, absorb impact, and stay clear over a long service life. Glass delivers transparency but is heavy, shatters on impact, and needs dense steel framing. The restaurant needed a large roof over a dining hall without the weight or breakage risk of glass; the walkway needed a weatherproof cover that could be curved on site and would not crack or yellow after seasons of exposure.
Our Solution
As a manufacturer, Jietai extrudes solid polycarbonate sheet in widths of 1220, 1560, 1820 and 2100 mm (up to 2500 mm on request), in thicknesses from 1 mm to 30 mm, and in lengths up to 12 m, with thin gauges also supplied as rolls. Every sheet carries a co-extruded UV layer on the weather face that blocks the wavelengths responsible for yellowing, and the material cold-bends to a minimum radius of 150 times its thickness — the property that makes arched canopies possible.
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1.0 – 30 mm |
| Standard width | 1220 / 1560 / 1820 / 2100 mm (up to 2500 mm on request) |
| Length | 6 m standard, custom up to 12 m (rolls for thin gauges) |
| Colours | Clear, bronze, blue, green, opal, red, orange, grey, black, custom |
| UV protection | Co-extruded UV layer, single or double side |
| Light transmission | Up to 89% (clear) |
| Impact strength | 200 – 250× glass |
| Flexural strength | ≥ 90 MPa |
| Cold-bend radius | 150 × thickness |
| Service temperature | −40°C to +120°C |
Project One — Restaurant Daylighting Roof
For the banquet hall we supplied opal-white solid polycarbonate sheets fitted into a light metal grid frame. The translucent panels diffuse sunlight evenly across the seating area, so the room reads bright at midday without the glare or hot spots of clear glass. Because solid polycarbonate weighs roughly half as much as glass of the same stiffness, the supporting structure stayed light and the installation finished faster.
Project Two — Curved Walkway Canopy
For the walkway we used clear solid polycarbonate sheet cold-bent over an aluminium arch. The panels follow the curve without heat forming, keep the path dry in rain, and let full daylight through to the ground below. A 3 mm clear sheet still stops impact that would shatter glass, so the canopy doubles as overhead protection.
The Results
Both projects now deliver bright, even natural light while cutting the weight and breakage risk of glass. Solid polycarbonate is rated at 200 to 250 times the impact strength of glass and carries a co-extruded UV layer backed by a 10 to 15 year warranty against yellowing, which keeps the roofs clear over their full service life.
Why Jietai
As a manufacturer we control the whole process — from polycarbonate resin to extruded sheet — so we can match thickness, colour and UV spec to each project and ship factory-direct. Buyers who need a dependable daylighting glazing source come to us precisely because the sheet is made in our own factory, not traded through a middleman.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness of solid polycarbonate is used for curved canopies?
For curved canopies we typically supply 2 mm to 6 mm sheet. Solid polycarbonate cold-bends to a minimum radius of 150 times its thickness, so a 3 mm sheet forms a smooth arch without heat forming. Thicker sheets from 8 mm to 30 mm are used for flat daylighting roofs and impact glazing.
Can solid polycarbonate replace glass in a daylighting roof?
Yes. Clear solid polycarbonate transmits up to 89% of light — comparable to glass — while weighing about half as much and offering 200 to 250 times the impact strength. It is the standard choice for skylights, sunrooms and canopies where safety and weight matter.
How long does solid polycarbonate stay clear in direct sun?
Every sheet carries a co-extruded UV layer on the weather face that blocks the wavelengths that cause yellowing. When installed with the protected side facing the sun, clear solid polycarbonate is backed by a 10 to 15 year warranty against yellowing.
What widths and colours are available?
Standard widths are 1220, 1560, 1820 and 2100 mm (up to 2500 mm on request), thicknesses run from 1 mm to 30 mm, and colours include clear, bronze, blue, green, opal, red, orange, grey and black.
