Could Polycarbonate Plastic panels replace Glass Windows?

[@lamplighter5545]

40 years ago, for over a decade, I did a lot of work installing clear polycarbonate storm windows. Eventually we switched to safety glass. Polycarbonate as a replacement for clear window glass is less than ideal. It will yellow within about 10 years or so. It will scratch just from stuff in the air. Larger panels can distort and have a wavy appearance.

[@arnesteinarson3645]

I can second most of this. I added a PC sheet as extra insulation inside a double glazing window - as I renovated old wooden windows. However, from outside it was very clear there was something weird with these windows, as reflections (trees, ...) were bent, wavy, curved. It reminded me of these curved "funny mirrors" one have in some entertainment parks. However I've used PC sheets successfully in other applications (transparent outdoor roofs being one of them).

[@lamplighter5545]

@@arnesteinarson3645 -- Wavy panels are the result of too thin a pane over too large a span.

[@damonroberts7372]

I can say from experience, polycarbonate roofing/skylights _can_ shatter in a hailstorm, it is not a "virtually unbreakable" material. It may have high impact resistance at the time of installation, but despite being relatively resistant to UV degradation, UV exposure _will_ make it more brittle over time.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

That's my experience too, UV gets past the "UV coating" and slowly destroys its impact resistant properties.

[@mbox314]

Plastic yellows in sunlight, throwing away your windows every 10 or 15 years is a massive waste. I have seen ground glass panes and lenses on 160 year old lighthouses that look like they were made yesterday.

[@Tang-qi6zw]

You can see this in headlights. The glass modules made for the 80s and earlier cars still look clear than modern plastic modules (and cheaper, too, since it was a government mandated standard part instead of proprietary shapes and tech).

[@greasybumpkin1661]

Also glass can be recycled, I'm not even sure if there's a limit for how many times you can melt it down and re make it.

[@apex007]

We already throw away windows when the seal is broken on double pane window. That's around 10-20 years

[@Avantime]

What about tinted polycarbonate windows? If it's in a dark shade you won't care if it's yellowing.

[@greasybumpkin1661]

@@apex007 that's hardly a critique of glass, more of the sealant

[@alaskacanoe6837]

I have polycarbonate panels on a green house that is 30 yrs old . Here in Alaska we get 20 hour or more sunlight in the summer and my panels are as clear as the day I installed them. Strong and no issues , snow load etc

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Yes, the problem with polycarbonates is UV and so at your latitude, the UV exposure will be minimal. They are also great for extremes in temperature.

[@Foxehh]

whats your latitude?

[@faux_hobo]

I don't see how these short term upsides outweight the longer term downsides. The yellowing means it'll be binned quicker and thus not really a longer term solution.

[@newfangledsoftware6185]

Depends on what your goals are.

[@IAMSatisfied]

Polycarbonate IS VERY susceptible to breakdown to petroleum products and natural oils, such that installation instructions are VERY specific on what comes in contact with the panels in the way of rubber washer on the screws and contact with other roofing materials, esp. petroleum based. I have PC lenses on my rimless glasses, and there are radial fractures emanating from the screw holes where some skin oils get trapped. In higher heat, sunnier climates like So-CA, NV, AZ, NM, TX, etc. PC panels will have a much shorter life expectancy, from 5 to 10 years, max. Also, BPA is just one of MANY endocrine/hormone disrupters found in plastics. Some of the replacement chemical hardeners used to in place of BPA are even more toxic/disruptive of our hormone systems, but simply haven't gotten the bad press yet. All that said, PC is VERY strong and shatter resistant earlier in life and it's strength properties are amazing.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Excellent info and explanation. Thank you.

[@jvin248]

Walk through a parking lot and look at vehicles older than ten years and you'll see a lot of very yellowed and sometimes nearly useless headlights. That is UV yellowing. As an eyeglass wearer the lenses yellow in two years and the exotic coatings (even if you request no coatings) begin flaking off then too. There is glass in hundred year old homes that is still quite serviceable. Interesting fact: glass back then was inconsistent in thickness so window makers would install the heavier/thicker side down as it's more stable, then later people thought the glass slumped down over the decades like thick honey...

[@raedwulf61]

My 2007 minivan PC headlights yellowed significantly over the years. I polished them to a clear state using toothpaste. I can't imagine doing this to a building.

[@supernumex]

what about the recyclability? Glass can be easily melted and used again.

[@lamplighter5545]

It can be, but being honest, how much window glass is recycled? Really. Glass containers get recycled. Windows just get broken up and throw out.

[@rdormer]

So can polycarbonate.

[@Belrmar]

​@@lamplighter5545here in Spain, guardian glass is actually moving towards getting as much used glass as possible, including double pane IGUs

[@konayasai]

​@@lamplighter5545In what dystopian heckhole are you living? Over here, window glass is driven to the dump where there's a special dumpster for construction glass.

[@lamplighter5545]

@@konayasai-- We have that hear as well, but most people don't bother with that. They break it up, stick in a box, and throw it out with the trash.

[@falrus]

I would like to hear a fire marshal's opinion on polycarbonate windows.

[@adama1294]

It might be fine for indoors but UV will yellow and fog it as anyone can tell from an old car headlights. It would have to be 1/2 the cost to install on an item lasting 30 years or 1/3 the cost for items lasting 50 years.

[@theparkourlady894]

I've actually been considering using polycarbonate panels as a translucent wall panel in one part of my loft. You covered a lot of things i was wondering about. I suspected it should have at least mediocre sound proofinf qualities so its nice to know it does help with that. I specifically want a material that allows light to diffuse through to stop the corner behind it becoming dark and dreary. The loft has a very open plan feel and i need to block off a small corner of it. Thanks for the video - some good food for thought. They need make thr uv coatings standard or more readily available as these panels are generally used in relation to sunlight.

[@PsychotriaV]

Talking about the positives of a product and then immediately promoting a company that sells that very same product, feels like the whole video exists as a commercial, even if you have 60 seconds of negatives at the end. I'm sure you wouldn't make a video purely for the benefit of a company but I hope you can understand how it can be perceived when you spend most of the time telling us how great your sponsor's products are.

[@DarylOster]

PC windows (to see out of - not to simply pass light) are very easy to scratch when cleaning. The scratch resistant types are not as UV stable - the coating can craze and get cloudy.

[@SeekingBeautifulDesign]

Might have been a good idea to cover IR transmission as polycarbonate is big in greenhouses. I chose polycarbonate over glass for cost, insulation (non-negotiable), hail resistance and weight/ft2. Yellowing and scratching weren't big factors in the application. IR transmission was a big downside (although outweighed by the other factors). Glass absorbs most IR, helping to keep interiors warmer (for cold climates) and consequently blocks more IR (warm climates). Coatings can change these properties, but I don't think an IR absorbing coating was available at the time.

[@jimurrata6785]

My father was director of engineering for companies that produce acrylic and polycarbonate. Theres no way either one is well suited for any windows. 🤷‍♂️ Except polycarbonate laminated with tempered glass for bullet resistant installations

[@danielbuckner2167]

Wow, 267K!! Belinda you have certainly blown up! Congrats you've earned it as you do it as a professional just like you would any architectural work. 

[@BelindaCarr]

Thank you so much! It's been a slow, painful grind. I try to focus on the content and community rather than the numbers

[@danielbuckner2167]

@BelindaCarr just keep doing exactly what you're doing and it will be fine!

[@j.g.3293]

Love this channel! Maybe poly windows would be best in places that experience less sun annually. Like I’d consider it for Seattle but not Miami

[@carolemattina9869]

If it's not BPA approved... is it a good idea to use it for a greenhouse then? Does it release some kind of gas or whatever by warm weather, that can deposit on the vegetables in the greenhouse?

[@polinais2037]

Love your videos. Great resourse for us architects! Thank you

[@andre-le-bone-aparte]

Just found your channel. Excellent Content - another sub for you!

[@ohasis8331]

I've had strip roofing panels for light relief for 18 years or so. It's quite effective but it has become brittle from constant UV bombardment - I live in a sub equatorial zone. My biggest fear is hailstorms. It has stood up to those in the past but with age, there is a pucker factor.

[@damianrico2433]

Thank you Belinda!

[@stevenschuster]

I love your channel! Very informative!! Thank you.

[@thatsthething778]

its ridiculous KZbin stopped surfacing your videos to my feed even tho I am subscribed. I am forced to turn the notification to All now so I don't miss videos. Every video is great, keep up the good work.

[@whiteknightcat]

I just had my rotten patio cover and deck replaced. The new patio cover is topped by a layer of Topgal "standing seam" polycarbonate panels. Now to see how they survive the next hailstorm. The last one was so intense it actually shattered one of my solar panels. At least they're bronze tinted so yellowing won't be a noticeable issue in the future.

[@BelindaCarr]

Yikes! I hope the new panels survive. Keep us updated.

[@whiteknightcat]

@@BelindaCarr Thank you. Have you ever considered a followup on the extruded concrete homes in the Wolf Ranch area in Georgetown? Local media covered them briefly but public opinion seemed to quickly sour when the houses were put up for sale at prices no cheaper than conventional homes. There are also "tiny home" developments in local cities but they are turning out to be unaffordable for their target buyers.

[@brapamaldi]

plastics are something we need more of in the environment. right?

[@kameljoe21]

Major complaints are Brittle Yellowing costly not recyclable I am going to just stick with commercial 1 inch insulated glass.

[@ViktarPisarchyk]

Before even watching the video I'm against plastic windows, scratches easily yellows in sun light, i mean look at headlights on a 20 year old car

[@klave8511]

10 years in many cases. Also, even my glass windscreen is pitted from dust and sand thrown up by the cars ahead of me. I once tried to sand a polycarbonate sheet that had an anti scratch surface applied. Vey difficult to sand, the coating seemed to be almost rubbery and wouldn’t scratch. Belinda isn’t talking about cars though she’s mainly talking about. Some special applications where the lightweight and thermal insulation properties are more important to the design.

[@jw8927]

What about yellowing over time?

[@lamplighter5545]

I will yellow. I wouldn't use it as replacement for clear window glass. I can see it for other uses.

[@Most-Weasel]

It seems like polycarbonate has some niche uses, but is not an end-all replacement for conventional materials. More options is usually a good thing, so I do hope the technology continues to improve or find more places to fit into.

[@Tina.polycarbonatesheet]

Love this channel!

[@eM_Wu]

I really admire your stamina Belinda

[@amarkamath]

Hi, I was intrigued by this video and started looking into polycarbonate as a replacement for glass. And I can't find a single manufacturer. Did you come across any during your research by any chance? Thanks!

[@noorbaig4599]

can we make tiles through this substance

[@mjenright1985]

Use polycarbonate roofing for a porch, lasted 10 yrs before yellowing and becoming brittle, then shattering when a small hail storm hit. Switched to metal roofing afterwards, for less than what the new carbonate roofing would've cost.

[@Chromico]

I want to like plastic materials more, but the downsides are kinda heavy. Microsplastics feel like they're going to be the next asbestos or lead.

[@AlecMuller]

My robotics team uses 3 to 10 mm thick solid polycarbonate to build quite a few robot parts. It machines very easily with our CNC router, and is tough and light.

[@switzerland3696]

It is way too soft, been there done that, Just wait for some idiot at the gas station to clean your rear wind screen with the windscreen cleaning brush and see how it looks (Speaking from experience here)

[@Hellsong89]

Already mentioned yellowing, breaking down due UV, there is issue of some polycarbonates cracking when in contact with alcohol, it can crack and its plastic, so how about no? There is still hundreds of years old glass windows, while i dont see polycarbonate lasting that long even in ideal conditions.

[@GamerFollower]

Plastic breaks down from sunlight over time, glass doesn't break down and in fact glass is completely environmentally friendly when its thrown away.

[@edge-rps]

Well made video

[@robertpetterson6552]

Like any material there are great ways to use it and not so great ways to use it. Most of the drawbacks I read here are from people using it in an application they shouldn't. I installed these panels in a custom 30' interior skylight application (not exposed to weather) 30 years ago and have given me everything I wanted....insulation, ease of installation, lightweight and best of all I LOVE THE YELLOWING! The warmer yellow color (similar to the older light bulbs that looked more like candlelight) is so much nicer than the harsh 4000 kelvin LED's that are everywhere. Would this work in a jewelry store or food establishment when purer color is warranted? No. But in my application, the color gets better every decade. Also, if a panel falls in an earthquake, I'm going to survive a 1# knock on the head much better than a 10# piece of glass.

[@feylezofriza]

I am disappointed in Belinda for not discussing the obvious drawbacks. Polycarbonate is not UV proof. It will enentually get brittle. It will shed microplastics and polymer additives to the air and ground water. It will scratch easily. It will become trash in 10 years in most areas. This is just another case of interest driven thinking. It is not a green product. It is a gray product marketed as green. Instead, get good glass windows and a metal or tile roof with added insulation underneath. You won't look back and your grandkids will thank you.

[@baloog8]

7:33

[@richarddesrochers946]

What about micro plastic released in nature and in the air

[@Sparky400]

None of this sounds good. So it's not single use so not a microplastic issue...aside from the fact it's soft, scratches easily which probably leads to microplastics and it is practically disposable as you have to replace it when it yellows in 10 years. Sorry but felt a bit misled by this one. How about we just avoid using plastics, disposable or not.

[@AnimilesYT]

And all of your credibility in this video went out of the window right at 6:32

[@pong9000]

I added polycarbonate panes as burglar-proofing (and insulation) to a home's existing door and side-light glass. But accidentally scratched it with the callouses of my knuckles. This material is a little too nice for real life; where the home is supposed to take care of the occupant, not the occupant take care of the home.

[@MagnusFrauter]

Absolutely fabulous, I could watch endlessly. 😍🌹💝🥰

[@de1855]

It's a neat piece of tech, but I gotta be honest I don't see this product doing very well. 1. The fact that it's going to eventually yellow. Depending on the timeframe when this happens, this is going to be a major upkeep cost for home owners and businesses. Also if a home owner is cheap and lazy and just let it go, you're going to see a lot of ugly yellowish windows all over the world. No thanks. 2. So it's stronger, but more prone to scratches? That doesn't seem ideal. Sure it won't break if a person throws a rock at it like standard glass, but if wind, leaves, dust, and other random things in the air is going to scuff it up quick, that's no good. Who wants scratch looking windows. And sure you said they can put a protective coating on it, but that's going to add to costs, and I'm sure the coating is going to fade, so much like staining a deck, now you'll have to coat your windows every few years. Not good 3. The health concerns is a massive red flag. The product should honestly be recalled if living near it is going to potentially cause issues. Why would you want to build your home or business out of something that's going to physically hurt you? Not worth it. Sure they are trying to create a non health risk version of the product, but like why didn't they start with that? This seems really dumb, and any building with this stuff installed should be updated immediately! 4. And finally the big one, I personally don't think it looks good. All of those building in the video with this product installed on, look super cheap. If glass is the main stream toy, this looks like the dollar store version of it. It just doesn't look good. I wouldn't want my windows looking like that. Awesome video, very informative, but I don't think this product is going to take off. But it's neat people are looking for alternative solutions to glass. Thank you for all your hard work and amazing content Belinda!

[@samhklm]

No BPA for me me - I will stick with glass.

[@gangadharr3524]

Having BPA, isn't it bad for health?

[@michaelbrinks8089]

Love your videos !!! 👍 👍

[@infinityryvus]

I'm really not enthusiastic about this. There's nothing that this product can do, other than be cheap and easy to form, that glass can't.

[@jedics1]

The fact that it can't hack the sun is a deal breaker right there, its also stupid expensive, I am not as excited as you about the stuff.

[@olaf9957]

This felt like a giant ad written by chatgpt

[@noneuklid]

I think the title is a bit misleading here. Polycarbonate can't replace glass windows in the use case many commenters are criticizing -- it can't function as a durable clear material in weather-exposed areas. But many of your examples are showing much better uses for polycarbonate panels, such as durable translucent installations, or transparent installations inside buildings. Glass is heavy, and polycarbonate is far more practical for inexpensive greenhouses or interior partitions. This is meaningful for homes, interior walls, and ADU structures but as with many building options can have a bigger impact at industrial scales. Replacing even 10% of the reinforced glass facade of a skyscraper with translucent polycarbonate where transparency is not a major concern could allow for much cheaper structures overall. Since glass is often layered in these installations, up to 40% of the overall glass could possibly be replaced by having interior-facing layers made of polycarbonate behind UV-filtering glass.

[@TheKingOfInappropriateComments]

Pretty sure I've disproven solvent resistance a time or two.

[@taxfree4]

I love Belinda's videos, very informative without being confusing. She breaks it down so my high school graduate brain can understand. I look forward to her podcast videos also as they shine light on the latest innovations in the construction industry. Also, she does a Thomist disputation of every product.

[@robertharker]

I do enjoy a woman giving competent in-depth construction advice. Take that you burly bearded men. Great to see women in construction. Thank you for a great video.

[@BelindaCarr]

Lol, thanks Robert!

[@Physics072]

In a word NO. Poly-carbonate breaks down in sunlight, is very very soft. Has to be hard coated or it scratches even easier. Glass is much harder to scratch and is optically superior. Glass is just heavier and breaks easier. Poly is why headlights on cars get yellow and hazed.

[@anonymousanonymous-nt8ls]

Feels like every material we come in contact with has some sort of estrogenic or oncogenic activity, or it just sucks compared to older tech.

[@vigamortezadventures7972]

isn't this used for carbon fiber?

[@jenskuhn2052]

if you want a brown tint in a couple of years... once nicely brown, the next hail storm will take them out! No amount of 'guarantees' manufacturers offer, these are just smoke screens for a really lousy product. Use Plexiglas acrylic instead

[@darkpheonix77]

as a green house material I like it. as building exterior I kinda hate it.

[@illustriouschin]

Polycarbonate scratches extremely easily and UV light makes it become brittle so the answer is NO!

[@quixomega]

This type of video is why I watch this channel. I have no idea how I'd learn this sort of information about building materials otherwise.

[@BelindaCarr]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your support

[@justice4g]

I'd like to upgrade my headlights with glass

[@hugoponders]

Glass is also amorphous

[@FixthisCD]

Those houses with only a plastic covering. Not doing that in a cold climate

[@FixthisCD]

what is the U rating

[@4G12]

Plastic house windows!? Don't get me started on those darn plastic headlight... TLDR: NO.

[@ljprep6250]

I love polycarbonate for many uses, but shun using polycarbonate optical lenses. Their optical clarity is less than perfect, resulting in visual distortions. They're fine for safety glasses used over my high-index bifocals. And polycarbonate is both initially more costly than glass for exterior windows and would require replacement in 7-10 years due to yellowing. $$$$

[@djdynieldaniel1395]

Polycancers

[@matteotomaso7204]

You do a wonderful job!

[@TMS5100]

No. PC doesn't stand up to weathering. Also PC can be easily destroyed by many common household cleaners.

[@mwinsatt]

lol sponsored by big plastic

[@frankcoffey]

Windows should also be solar panels and be dimmable.

[@dhawthorne1634]

Hopefully not! We need to reduce our use of plastics, not come up with new ones. My next windows are likely going to be wood frame, not vinyl.

[@MrCheech813]

the Florida sun well disintegrate that shit in two years max

[@brothervan3884]

Hi Belinda, does this ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3mmeXyYec13p6s ) look like a fire hazard to you?

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

THANKS BELINDA 🤗 WE ARE EXCITED TOO,FOR THE FUTURE OF POLYCARBONATES 😎💚💚💚

[@firstname9371]

I like your channel, I really do. But I've noticed the trend of how you advocate for an increase in our use of plastics in construction and it truly baffles me. Especially when many of the solutions you propose require virgin plastic.

[@firstname9371]

Oh - I see now that this is a sponsored commercial. Yikes.

[@thetaomega7816]

@@firstname9371 yeah weird how this channel seems to go from true building information to now whole videos being created to market a sponsor

[@BelindaCarr]

None of my videos are biased sponsored commercials. I only had a sponsored segment in this one. Polycarbonate is a building material and I created an educational video on it, highlighting its pros and cons; just like all my other content.

[@yodaiam1000]

Polycarbonate is almost like a miracle material. I have used in structural applications for stair guards and playgrounds. It is lighter than glass but it won't realistically reduce your foundation sizes or the amount of concrete unless you have a very unusual case use. As far as the foundations are concerned, replacing glass with polycarbonate is like putting Sweat and Low in your coffee after eating a 16oz steak, a mound of french fries, and cake for desert. However, you can reduce the load on a long stair stringer with a polycarbonate guard.

[@paulhindle3961]

Thanks for the info Belinda. My company EVinsulate uses polycarbonate to create add-on insulating panels (EVglass) for electric vehicle glass roofs. They work very well to reduce heating/cooling electricity consumption.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Which brands of EV do you supply?

[@paulhindle3961]

Currently it is just the Tesla Model 3 and Y, but we will have the Ford Mach-e available by next week.@@MiniLuv-1984

[@BelindaCarr]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing

[@patrickmckowen2999]

👍

[@hp7093]

Bad idea

[@newfangledsoftware6185]

Amazing how hated polycarbonate is.

[@Timbucktoothed]

Be careful what you staying. I am a glass installer. Even though I don't know chemistry like you do, polycarbonate is NOT 250 times stronger against scratches compared to glasses. Then you talking chemistry and I am talking alchemy after all.

[@Kinann]

THEY YELLOW IN THE SUN. NOPE!

[@kevintan1028]

It will waste your money in the long run. It degrade with UV and need to be replace every few decades

[@silicalnz]

oh its sponsered >:(

[@jimurrata6785]

"increased strength". Sure! But look at thermal expansion and flexural modulus . It grows like crazy and becomes a noodle in the sun. (relatively) Its also really soft compared to something like glass (ALSO amorphous, by definition it has to be) Getting REALLY tired of this womans infomercials. I don't know whats happened to this channel!

[@ianjames1179]

You are beautiful ❤

[@SwervingLemon]

Unique is an absolute state. Something is unique or it isn't. "Very unique" is senseless.

[@motionsick]

Dumbest idea ive heard all week.

[@adus123]

Is cheap and horrible stuff it never lasts long. unless its a shed get glass

[@sudd3660]

another oil product, how is this even legal....

[@sudd3660]

@user-qt3yx4yv6n i do not get your point, no matter how you can not envision a future without plastic does not mean we must make it happen or die trying.