Polycarbonate Panels

Polycarbonate is an extremely durable material that can protect your crops from the elements, while also providing significant light transmission. It also offers additional benefits such as condensation control, energy savings and anti-flammability, making it a popular choice for schools and institutions that must meet fire codes.

We often hear from growers who would like to use glass for their greenhouse, rather than polycarbonate. While glass can be a great option for the sidewalls if you are going for a high-end look, polycarbonate is a much better choice for your greenhouse roof. Polycarbonate is extremely durable, compared with glass which can be breakable. Glass is also a poor insulator, meaning that you will have high heat gain in the summer and severe heat loss in the winter, compared with polycarbonate which will provide a more stable level of heat retention year-round.

Polycarbonate considered virtually unbreakable. Its impact strength is 200 times greater than glass and 10 times greater than acrylic.

Polycarbonate is not difficult to install on your greenhouse. It is highly flexible and won't crack or split when it is cut or drilled. It is also lightweight - just one-eighth the weight of glass - meaning that it is much easier to work during installation.

Polycarbonate panels must be installed with the openings running vertically, not horizontally. Use solid foil tape at the tops of the sheets to seal out water and insects, and foil vented tape at the bottom to allow condesation to drain out.

One side of each polycarbonate panel is treated with a special UV-protective coating, which goes on the outside of the greenhouse where it can withstand the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When you receive your polycarbonate panels, the outer side will be labeled. We highly recommend marking this side so you can properly install it after you remove the masking on both sides of the panel.

Polycarbonate is shipped directly from our manufacturers. Your polycarbonate delivery may come on a box truck or flatbed and may be packaged in a crate or on a pallet. Check our our video for detailed instructions on receiving your polycarbonate delivery.

Polycarbonate should be stored in areas free from sunlight or heat, and materials should be stacked only on a flat surface. If polycarbonate is exposed to direct sunlight or high temperature before it has been installed, this could result in the protective film sticking to the polycarbonate.

If the protective film is sticking to the polycarbonate, it can be removed with a solvent, preferably naptha or isopropyl alcohol. After using the solvent, clean and rinse the polycarbonate thoroughly with a mild soap or detergent.

Yes, Rimol can retrofit existing greenhouses with polycarbonate panels! Upgrading older plastic or glass with polycarbonate can be an excellent way to improve light transmission and increase energy efficiency. Typically, retrofits will require one of our sales technicians to make an on-site visit to make measurements and ensure we have the exact dimensions for ordering your replacement polycarbonate. Reach out to us to schedule a visit from your local representative for retrofit applications.