Hollow Polycarbonate Sheet for Greenhouse, Roofing & Canopy
Hollow polycarbonate sheet is a multi-wall thermoplastic panel manufactured by a continuous co-extrusion process. Its cellular interior structure – made up of vertical ribs that provide insulating air pockets – gives it 200-250× the impact resistance of glass, at around one-twelfth the weight. Baoding Sinhai Sunboard Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has 3 production bases, more than 25 manufacturing lines and more than 60,000 tonnes of yearly output. It is certified to ISO 9001:2015, CE, RoHS and UDEM. Each sheet is backed by a 10 year guarantee.
Why Choose Hollow Polycarbonate Over Glass or Standard Plastic?
Glass is heavy and fragile. Standard plastic glazing degrades quickly under prolonged UV exposure. Hollow polycarbonate sheets address both issues: the cellular structure traps dead air between layers to reduce heat transfer, while the co-extruded UV layer protects the resin from long-term degradation.
The internal ribbing adds structural rigidity without adding significant weight. On large roofing or greenhouse projects, lighter panels reduce load on the support structure and make on-site handling noticeably easier.
Product Specifications
| Parameter |
Details |
| Thickness |
3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm |
| Edge Type |
Rectangle edge / Circular edge |
| Impact Resistance |
200–250× greater than glass |
| UV Protective Layer |
Co-extruded, 50–109 microns (1 or 2 faces) |
| Colors Available |
Transparent, Bronze, Grey, Opal, Lake Blue, Amber, Dark Blue, Silver, Orange, Yellow, or custom |
| Raw Material Options |
100% virgin resin / SABIC / Bayer / customized |
| MOQ |
500 m² (smaller-size orders available on request) |
| Warranty |
10 years |
| Typical Applications |
Greenhouse, skylight, shed, canopy, carport, roofing, partitions |
| Certifications |
ISO 9001:2015, CE, RoHS, UDEM |
Key Product Features
Thickness Range: 3–12mm
Six thicknesses are offered to accommodate a broad variety of structural needs. The 3-4mm range is good for light garden or diy enclosures. Where the roof is subject to wind or snow loads, 6mm, 8mm or 10mm provides the structural depth necessary to avoid deflection.
Rectangle & Circular Edge Options
Both edge profiles are offered. Matching the right edge type to your U-profile or H-profile cuts saves time fitting on site and results in cleaner seals on panel joints.
Lightweight Construction
These panels are about one-twelfth the weight of similar glass, reducing the burden on supporting structures and making hauling on big roofing sites more practicable. On projects with large amounts of glass, this difference in panel weight directly impacts subframe design and installation labour.
Co-Extruded U.V. Protection Layer
The UV protection layer is not a surface coating, it is co-extruded straight into the sheet surface at 50-109 microns. Rather than being applied to the panel after the fact, the UV blocking substance is bonded to the panel during manufacture, which decreases the chances of it peeling or delaminating over time. The 10-year guarantee covers yellowing and loss of light transmission for moderate outdoor use.
Raw Material Options
The raw material is offered in three grades, according to the project requirements:
- 100% Virgin polycarbonate resin – Standard grade for reliable baseline performance
- SABIC substance - premium-grade resin purchased from a world-renowned provider
- Bayer substance - premium imported for serious applications
- Customisable resin – upon request for particular project criteria
Incoming inspection, in-process inspections and pre-shipment review are carried out for each material choice. Impact resistance, light transmittance, flame retardancy and weathering resistance have been tested.
Applications
Hollow polycarbonate sheets find use in many construction and agricultural projects:
- Greenhouses – excellent light transmission and thermal insulation assist maintain stable growth conditions
- Skylights and daylighting systems - brings natural light into warehouses, factories and commercial buildings without the structural weight of glass.
- Carports and canopies – lightweight panels cover vast areas and minimise the strain on the subframe compared to glass alternatives
- Swimming pool coverings UV protection, moisture resistance suitable wet outdoor situations
- Sound barriers, dividers, corridors — impact resistance, optical clarity stand up in heavy traffic areas
- Advertising light boxes — opal and diffusion color options distribute light evenly across the panel surface
Customization and Production Capabilities
Sinhai is able to do OEM and ODM projects. The following services are offered for customised processing, unusual colours, or nonstandard sizes:
- CNC Cutting & Special Shape Cutting
- Film coating customisations
- Bending, vacuum forming and thermoforming
- 3D design service
We have 3 manufacturing bases with 25+ production lines, thus a conventional order normally takes around 7 days to finish.
Kashgar manufacturing base is helpful to the delivery to Central Asia within 7 days for customers there. Local warehouse resources in Tashkent and Dushanbe support speedier regional fulfilment.
The MOQ is 500 m² as normal. Smaller orders may be addressed on a project specific basis - contact the team at [email protected] to check availability.
FAQ
Q: Will the sheet yellow or become brittle after several years of sun exposure?
A: All sheets have a co-extruded UV-blocking surface layer, 50-109 microns thick. This shields the inner resin from UV deterioration. 10 year guarantee for yellowing and light transmission loss under typical outdoor usage circumstances.
Q: Which way to face toward the sun?
A: The surface with the printed protective film is the UV-protection surface and has to be orientated toward the sun. When the sheet is installed in the reverse position, the effective service life will be less.
Q: How can I avoid water/dust getting into the hollow chambers?
A: Use special anti-dust vented tape at the bottom hole, and solid tape at the top opening. Seal both ends with U-profiles. The design allows moisture vapour to escape while keeping dust and insects out of the chambers.
Q: Is 4mm thick adequate for roofing outdoors?
A: The 4mm product is good for small enclosures and light duty greenhouses in protected areas. When wind or snow loads are anticipated, 6mm or 8mm is advised to avoid deflection or profile pop-out under load.
Q: Can the panels be walked on during installation?
A: Do not step directly on the panels. Polycarbonate is resistant to impact of diffused loads yet it is susceptible to breaking under concentrated point stresses. When installing, put crawling boards between at least three purlins so the weight is spread securely.
Q: What is the MOQ and do you do customisation?
A: MOQ: standard 500 m². We provide OEM and ODM service with customised colours, thickness, edge kinds, CNC cutting and special-shaped processing. For smaller quantities please contact [email protected] with your project specifics.
Contact Us
Have a project that requires hollow polycarbonate sheet? Send your specifications to [email protected] and the team will follow up with product details and pricing.