When choosing the right roofing for your veranda or glass room, it’s important to weigh the options carefully to ensure you get the perfect balance of aesthetics, functionality, and cost. At Fleming Verandas, we offer two main choices: glass and polycarbonate. Each material has its own advantages, and understanding the differences will help you make an informed decision. While glass is known for its premium look and clarity, polycarbonate offers a strong, cost-effective alternative, particularly for those looking for durability without compromising on style
Polycarbonate is a lightweight yet highly durable material, and our roofing options use 16mm triple-wall polycarbonate, consisting of three sheets of reinforced plastic for added strength. This structure offers excellent protection against extreme weather and impacts, making it a reliable choice for outdoor living spaces. Our polycarbonate roofing is available in three finishes: clear, bronze, and opal, each with its own unique benefits.
Clear polycarbonate is the closest standard option to glass in terms of appearance, allowing plenty of natural light to fill your veranda and any adjoining rooms. It’s an excellent choice if you want to create a bright, open space without compromising the view. The clear option mimics the transparency of glass while offering greater durability and impact resistance. This makes it a popular choice for those who want a cost-effective alternative to glass without sacrificing light or openness. For those seeking even more optical clarity, ultra-clear polycarbonate is available as an optional upgrade at an additional cost, offering a sharper and more elegant finish, though the bonding lines in the material will still be visible.
For those looking to balance natural light with a bit more protection from the sun, bronze polycarbonate is an excellent choice. This translucent option allows a generous amount of light into the veranda while reducing glare from direct sunlight, making it ideal for south-facing gardens. The bronze tint helps create a more comfortable and usable space, especially during hot summer days when too much sun exposure can make your outdoor area less enjoyable. It offers a stylish, modern look while still maintaining the structural benefits of polycarbonate.
If privacy is a key concern, opal polycarbonate offers the highest level of privacy and sun protection. The opal finish is opaque, which means it blocks most direct sunlight, reducing glare and ensuring that your veranda remains a comfortable space throughout the day. This is especially beneficial if your veranda or glass room is located in a spot where you’re overlooked by neighbours. Opal polycarbonate still allows some natural light to filter through, keeping the area well-lit without exposing you to prying eyes. Its sleek, modern appearance also complements the design of many contemporary homes.
While polycarbonate has many advantages, it does have a few limitations when compared to glass. Although it offers excellent optical clarity, it does not quite match the pristine look of glass and can become more opaque over time due to weathering. Regular cleaning can help maintain its appearance, but it may need replacing more frequently than glass. However, its lightweight and durable construction make it a highly practical option, particularly in areas prone to severe weather conditions, as it is 250 times more impact-resistant than glass.
For those who prioritize aesthetics and the ultimate premium finish, glass remains the top choice. Glass provides a flawless, unobstructed view of your garden and allows the maximum amount of natural light to fill your space, making it the most elegant and visually appealing option.
At Fleming Verandas, we use 8.8mm laminate safety glass in our veranda roofs, which offers a superior balance of strength, safety, and clarity. Unlike standard glass, laminate glass is made by bonding two layers of glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer. This interlayer holds the glass together even if it cracks or shatters, making it a safer option for overhead structures like veranda roofs. If laminate glass is broken, it remains intact, preventing large shards from falling, which significantly reduces the risk of injury.
Toughened glass (sometimes referred to as tempered glass) is another option offered by some outdoor living companies for their verandas and garden rooms. Toughened glass undergoes a heat treatment that makes it four to five times stronger than regular glass. When broken, toughened glass shatters into small, blunt pieces, reducing the chance of serious injury, but not eliminating it. However, unlike laminate glass, toughened glass does not stay intact when shattered, which could pose safety concerns for customers, particularly in urban environments or those prone to more extreme weather conditions. For this reason, laminate glass is widely considered the premium option for verandas and glass rooms, where both strength and safety are paramount. This is why Fleming Verandas use only laminate glass in our range of veranda roof systems.
Ultimately, whether you choose polycarbonate or glass, both materials offer excellent roofing solutions for your veranda or glass room. Polycarbonate is a cost-effective, durable, and versatile option, with various finishes to suit different needs—whether you prioritize light, privacy, or sun protection. Glass, on the other hand, provides a luxurious, light-filled space with a refined finish and the added benefits of superior safety and UV protection.
By understanding the differences between these materials, you can make an informed decision that perfectly suits your outdoor living space.
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Interested in examples of our verandas and glass rooms? See below a selection of photos from some of our recent projects!
Here’s a few image from different projects that showcase what we’ve discussed:
Got questions? Here are some of our most common!
What are the primary differences between polycarbonate and glass roofing?
The primary differences lie in material properties and aesthetics. Polycarbonate is a lightweight, durable thermoplastic that offers excellent impact resistance and is more affordable than glass. It is available in various finishes, allowing for flexibility in design. Glass, on the other hand, provides a premium look, superior clarity, and an unobstructed view. It is generally heavier and more expensive but is considered more aesthetically pleasing.
Which option is more durable: polycarbonate or glass?
Polycarbonate is generally more durable in terms of impact resistance. It is 250 times more impact-resistant than glass, making it less likely to break under pressure or severe weather conditions. However, glass is more resistant to scratching and does not weather or become opaque over time, which can make it more durable in terms of visual clarity.
Is polycarbonate more cost-effective than glass?
Yes, polycarbonate is typically more cost-effective than glass. The initial purchase price is usually lower, and it requires less structural support due to its lightweight nature. This makes it a popular choice for those looking to maximize their budget without sacrificing quality. However, keep in mind that polycarbonate may need to be replaced more frequently than glass due to weathering.
How do polycarbonate and glass compare in terms of UV protection?
Polycarbonate offers some UV protection, but its level may not be as high as that provided by laminate glass, which can block a significant portion of harmful UV rays. Laminate glass, due to its PVB interlayer, protects your interiors from sun damage and fading more effectively than standard polycarbonate.
Which material is better for noise reduction?
Polycarbonate can be effective at reducing noise, but laminate glass generally offers superior sound insulation. The layers in laminate glass absorb sound vibrations better than a single layer of polycarbonate, making it a better choice for those concerned about external noise in their living spaces.
Can polycarbonate be used in all weather conditions?
Yes, polycarbonate is designed to withstand various weather conditions, including heavy rain, hail, and even snow. Its impact resistance allows it to endure severe weather without cracking. While glass is also durable, it can shatter upon extreme impact or rapid temperature changes, making polycarbonate a safer choice in unpredictable climates.
How do the maintenance requirements differ between polycarbonate and glass?
Polycarbonate requires regular cleaning to maintain its optical clarity and appearance, and it may need to be replaced more frequently due to weathering. Glass, especially laminate glass, requires frequent cleaning to keep it looking clear but does not suffer from the same level of deterioration over time as polycarbonate, making it a long-term investment.
Which roofing material offers more design flexibility?
Polycarbonate offers more design flexibility, as it comes in various finishes (clear, bronze, opal) and can be shaped and cut more easily than glass. This allows for creative designs that can suit different architectural styles. Glass, while elegant, typically requires more rigid framing and installation procedures, which can limit design options.