Most urban and rural home canopies or extensions in the Philippines use a roofing material that can cover the space from rain but not block sunlight. These are translucent materials that home makers are very fond of. Usually, we use either Fiberglass or Polycarbonate Roofing.
So what’s the difference between the two? First of all, fiberglass roofs are roofing made of a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. On the other hand, polycarbonate roofing is roofing made of a group of thermoplastic polymers. Both kinds of roofing let natural light into the structure through the roof.
Fiberglass are known to be resistant to chemical agents as well as atmospheric agents. Also, it’s cheap. These types of roofing became famous in the later 1930s because they are very easy to install, cost less, and do not rust.
Polycarbonate roofing, on the other hand, is more resistant to heat, is tougher and more load bearing, and lighter and more fire-resistant. It’s also more transparent.
Fiberglass tend to discolor due to weather while polycarbonates tend not to. However, polycarbonate roofing tends to be more expensive than fiberglass roofs.
References:
Fleming, Austin. “What Are Corrugated Fiberglass Roof Panels?” Masters Roofing, November 16, 2018. https://www.mastersroofing.com/blog/roofing/what-are-corrugated-fiberglass-roof-panels/.
“Polycarbonate Or Fiberglass?” Tuflite, October 3, 2016. https://www.tuflite.com/blog/polycarbonate-or-fiberglass.
“Polycarbonate vs Fiberglass.” PolyPiù. Accessed October 9, 2020. https://www.polypiu.it/en/polycarbonate-vs-fiberglass/.