Buying plastic roofing sheets to build a polycarbonate roof doesn't have to be difficult.

If you're starting out, there are a few things to think about. What clear roofing do you need, how much does it cost, how are you going to transport it, and what about installation?

Here's a bit of an explanation that may help you decide, plan and purchase.

Why do I need clear roofing?

The main reason you'll want to use clear plastic sheets is to allow light through. Coloursteel, tiles or other solid roofing materials are great. But if you want to let light through there are only a few options.

One of these is skylights, such as Velux. These are used inside the house. They're double glazed, generally made of glass, and can be quite expensive. The reason they're so expensive is because they need to be double glazed (to minimise condensation) and they need to be installed according to the building code. This is because they're part of the weatherproofing of the house.

For all other requirements, plastic roofing can be a great option.

They're generally used on outdoor structures, or structures that don't require the same standards as the interior of a house. The most common uses in NZ are:

  • Pergola roofing
  • Awnings and canopies
  • Building a deck roof or cover
  • To allow light into carports
  • Greenhouses or glasshouses
  • Animal shelters
  • Allowing light into a barn or commercial building
  • Utility or work sheds

What is polycarbonate roofing?

Polycarbonate is a thermo-plastic polymer. It's renowned for its strength, flexibility and longevity. Polycarbonate is actually used on most phone screens, aircraft windscreens, riot shields, and protective helmets and visors. It's 250 times stronger than glass.

The material itself is a very good product. But this has to be combined with good UV protection. Without adequate UV protection, the sun will break the polycarbonate sheet down within a couple of years.

Because of the harsh UV rays in NZ, this is critical.

We're actually lucky in NZ in that most polycarbonate roofing sheets sold here do have good UV protection. Brands such as PSP Suntuf, Tufclad Ultra, Ampelite Solasafe, Alsynite Sunline and Laserlite have been sold for years and have at least 99.5% UV protection coupled with at least a 10 year warranty.

Bunnings, Mtire 10, Placemakers, Carters and ITM all sell similar products, albeit at prices at lot more than ours!

In our years of selling polycarbonate, you do see the occasional non-UV protected polycarbonate plastic sheet on the market. But they very quickly disappear once people realise they're not going to last.

What other products are available?

Polycarbonate sheets are the most widely used, but there are a couple of other options for similar installations.

One is PVC roofing. PVC is a different material entirely. A lot cheaper to produce, it means that the prices per plastic sheet are generally cheaper as well.

The key thing to note is that it does not have the same UV protection the polycarbonate has. Therefore most will carry a maximum 2-5 year warranty. After that, it breaks down and goes brittle very quickly.

They can be good for interior applications, or temporary outdoor structures. But if you want something that lasts, polycarbonate is a better choice.

Another option is fibre reinforced plastic. Otherwise known as glass reinforced polymer, FRP, GRP or fibreglass roofing.

This is a very good product. It's strong, and usually has a minimum 15-20 year warranty on it. Even if the polymer starts to go brittle, the fibres inside it keep it together.

There are two downsides of FRP compared to polycarbonate. One is that, because it has fibres through it, it is never completely clear. Some you can't see through at all, instead giving diffused light transmission through the plastic roofing sheets. The other is that it's very expensive, often 3-5 times the price.

It's generally used in commercial buildings. Mainly because they don't want to be replacing it that often, and don't mind that you can't really see through it.

What else is corrugated plastic known as?

You may have heard a few different names. They generally mean the same thing.

  • Clearlite roofing
  • Clear light or clearlight
  • Corrugated plastic
  • Clear plastic sheets
  • Etc.

Why should I buy from you?

Our aim is to give you a much better deal on polycarbonate roof sheets in NZ. Generally our prices are around half of what you'll find in bigger stores. Take a look at Bunnings and Mitre 10 and see for yourself!

We also strive to have the easiest order process around. You can order your plastic roofing online, and your order will be delivered directly to you, most places in NZ. Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Dunedin? No problem. Other areas, fine too. Just check our delivery areas on the home page.

Installation is fairly straightforward. And if you don't want to do it yourself, most builders or tradies have installed this.

We also sell fasteners and noise stop tape.

How do you keep your clear corrugated roofing prices so low?

This is one of the biggest questions. Often, because people see we're so cheap, they think there's something wrong with the product.

Our Laserlite 1000 clear corrugated roofing is distributed by Alsynite, who are a nationwide wholesaler of polycarbonate roofing. It's backed by their 25 year warranty, and they've been around for decades.

We keep our prices low by being ruthless with our overheads. No fancy showrooms, sales staff, company cars and unnecessary expenses.

All our efforts go into giving the best price possible, and then getting the product sent out quickly. This is why we don't have a big showroom. By saving time not chatting in the front room, we can continue to deliver the best value in the back room. Rest assured, we're still available by email and can respond to any queries very quickly.

So if you're after quality clearlite roofing, at some of the best prices around, head on over to place an order now!

Kurt