Solid polycarbonate sheet is the practical glazing for commercial canopies, atriums and covered walkways. It transmits up to 88–90% of daylight, resists impact at roughly 200 times the strength of glass, and carries a B1 fire rating, so a daylight roof can be light, safe and long-lasting. Jietai manufactures solid polycarbonate sheet from 1 mm to 30 mm thick, and one canopy built from it brightens a retail atrium or walkway with even, glare-free natural light while shedding rain, snow and years of UV exposure.
The Challenge
A commercial atrium or walkway canopy sits in constant weather. It must pass daylight without overheating the space below, resist wind uplift, snow load, hail and accidental impact, and stay clear for years instead of yellowing or cracking. Glass is heavy, needs a heavy steel frame, and can break into sharp shards. Acrylic scratches and degrades faster. Owners want a transparent roof that is light enough for a slim steel or aluminium frame, safe enough for public space, and easy to install and maintain.
Our Solution
As a manufacturer, Jietai extrudes solid polycarbonate sheet with a co-extruded UV layer on the weather face, in standard widths of 1220 mm, 1560 mm, 1820 mm and 2100 mm and thicknesses from 1 mm up to 30 mm. For atrium and walkway canopies we typically recommend 8 mm to 16 mm clear or opal sheet: it holds its shape on the frame, carries high light transmission, and can be cold-bent into shallow curves where a curved roof is required.
| Thickness | 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 / 16 / 20 / 25 / 30 mm |
| Structure | Solid (monolithic) |
| Standard width | 1220 / 1560 / 1820 / 2100 mm (custom up to 2500 mm) |
| Standard length | 6 m (custom up to 30 m) |
| Light transmission | up to 88–90% (clear) |
| Colours | Clear, opal, bronze, lake blue, grass green, grey, custom RAL |
| UV protection | Co-extruded UV layer, single or double side, 30–50 µm |
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³ |
| Thermal expansion | ~0.065 mm/m·°C |
| Fire rating | B1 (GB 8624), UL94 V-0 to V-2 |
| Service temperature | −40°C to +120°C |
| Impact strength | ~200× glass |
Project — Commercial Atrium and Covered Walkway
For a commercial atrium and covered walkway we supplied transparent and pink-tinted 10 mm solid polycarbonate sheet, formed into a continuous canopy over the retail passage. The panels bring bright, even daylight into the walkway while the tinted sections soften glare and give the space a distinctive identity. The canopy is light enough to sit on a slim steel frame, and the sheets shed rain and snow across a long, uninterrupted span.
Design Considerations
Thermal expansion
Leave about 6 mm of movement per metre of sheet and drill fastener holes 2–3 mm larger than the screw, so the panels expand and contract without buckling.
UV orientation
Always point the co-extruded UV layer toward the sun. It blocks the wavelengths that cause yellowing and is backed by a 10–15 year warranty against weathering.
Slope and drainage
Give the canopy enough slope for water to run off and seal the panel edges so dust and condensation cannot enter the glazing channel.
Cleaning
Wash with mild soap and water and a soft cloth. Avoid ammonia-based or abrasive cleaners, which can dull the surface.
The Results
The walkway now receives bright, even natural light with a fraction of the weight and breakage risk of glass. Solid polycarbonate is rated at roughly 200 times the impact strength of glass and meets the B1 fire rating, so the canopy is safe for high-footfall commercial space, and its co-extruded UV layer keeps it clear for years.
Why Source from a Manufacturer
Jietai is a manufacturer serving architects, contractors and canopy fabricators directly. We supply cut-to-size, pre-drilled solid polycarbonate sheet together with the matching aluminium glazing profiles, sealing tapes and fasteners, so your canopy arrives ready to install. Contact our team for a quote on your next canopy or skylight project.
Frequently asked questions
What thickness of solid polycarbonate is best for a canopy or atrium roof?
8 mm to 16 mm is the usual range for a canopy or atrium roof. Use 8–10 mm for smaller spans and walkways, and 12–16 mm for wider spans, higher wind or snow loads, or where extra rigidity is needed.
Does solid polycarbonate yellow over time?
No. The co-extruded UV layer on the weather face blocks the wavelengths responsible for yellowing. With the UV side correctly oriented, the sheet keeps its clarity through years of direct sun.
Can solid polycarbonate sheet be bent into a curved canopy?
Yes. Solid polycarbonate sheet can be cold-bent into shallow curves on site without heat forming, which makes it well suited to arched canopies and walkway roofs.
How does solid polycarbonate compare with glass for a canopy?
It is about half the weight of glass and roughly 200 times more impact-resistant, so it needs a lighter frame and will not shatter into sharp shards. It also transmits daylight at a level close to glass while insulating slightly better than a single glass pane.
