Discover why polycarbonate roofing sheets are one of the strongest and most impact-resistant roofing materials available.
Whether you’re building a patio cover, carport, lean-to roof, canopy, greenhouse, or covered walkway, one of the most common questions we hear is:
“How strong are polycarbonate roofing sheets?”
The short answer is extremely strong.
Modern polycarbonate roofing sheets are designed to withstand impacts, severe weather and years of outdoor exposure while remaining lightweight and easy to install. At Omega Build, we only supply premium Brett Martin Marlon ST multiwall polycarbonate sheets and Marlon FS solid polycarbonate sheets, giving our customers the confidence that they are buying high-quality, UK-manufactured products backed by a 10-year warranty.
How Strong is Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is one of the toughest glazing materials available.
Unlike glass or acrylic, it combines high impact resistance with excellent flexibility, making it extremely difficult to crack or shatter under normal use.
Marlon FS Solid Polycarbonate
Our Marlon FS solid clear polycarbonate sheets are renowned for their exceptional toughness.
According to Brett Martin, Marlon FS offers:
- Legendary strength – approximately 200 times stronger than glass
- Virtually unbreakable under normal service conditions
- Excellent resistance to weathering
- Double-sided UV protection
- Lightweight – less than half the weight of glass
- Excellent optical clarity
- Fire resistant
- Suitable for architectural glazing, rooflights and security applications.
If you’re looking for an incredibly tough clear glazing material, view our range of Solid Clear Polycarbonate Sheets:
https://www.omegabuild.com/product-category/polycarbonate-sheets/solid-clear-polycarbonate-sheets
Are Multiwall Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets Strong?
Absolutely.
Although multiwall polycarbonate sheets are lightweight, their internal rib structure gives them outstanding strength and rigidity.
The Brett Martin Marlon ST Longlife range features:
- High impact resistance
- Excellent resistance to storm damage
- Double-sided UV protection
- Outstanding thermal insulation
- Excellent fire performance
- 10-year warranty
- Lightweight design for easier installation.
The internal walls distribute loads across the sheet, allowing the roof to withstand everyday impacts from hail, branches and accidental knocks far better than traditional glazing materials.
Browse our range of Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets:
https://www.omegabuild.com/product-category/polycarbonate-sheets/polycarbonate-roofing-sheets
Can Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets Withstand Hail?
Yes.
One of the biggest advantages of polycarbonate roofing sheets is their exceptional impact resistance.
Unlike glass, which can crack or shatter when struck by hailstones or falling objects, polycarbonate absorbs the impact energy without breaking under normal service conditions.
This is one of the reasons polycarbonate is widely used for:
- Patio covers
- Aluminium canopies
- Carports
- Conservatories
- Commercial rooflights
- Covered walkways
- Swimming pool covers
- Greenhouses.
Will Polycarbonate Crack?
Polycarbonate is designed to flex slightly under load rather than fracture.
Providing the sheets are:
- Installed correctly
- Properly supported
- Fixed using the correct glazing bars and fixings
- Allowed room for thermal expansion
they will provide many years of reliable service.
Incorrect installation—such as over-tightening fixings or failing to allow for expansion—can reduce performance, so always follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines.
Is Polycarbonate Stronger Than Glass?
For impact resistance, yes.
| Material | Impact Resistance | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Can shatter | Heavy |
| Acrylic | Better than glass but brittle | Moderate |
| Solid Polycarbonate | Around 200× stronger than glass | Less than half the weight of glass |
This combination of strength and low weight is why polycarbonate is commonly chosen for roofing applications where safety and durability are important.
Does UV Light Make Polycarbonate Weak?
Not when you choose a quality product.
Both Marlon FS and Marlon ST include co-extruded UV protection, helping to:
- Prevent yellowing
- Maintain impact strength
- Improve weather resistance
- Extend product life
- Reduce harmful UV transmission beneath the roof.
This is one of the major differences between premium branded sheets and cheaper imported alternatives.
Why We Only Supply Marlon Polycarbonate
At Omega Build we only supply:
- Marlon ST Multiwall Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets
- Marlon FS Solid Polycarbonate Sheets
Manufactured in the UK by Brett Martin, these products offer:
- Premium optical quality
- Excellent impact resistance
- Long-term weather performance
- UV protection
- Fire performance suitable for many building applications
- 10-year warranty.
What Warranty Comes with Marlon Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets?
Both Marlon ST multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets and Marlon FS solid polycarbonate sheets are backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s limited warranty against loss of light transmission, yellowing (where applicable) and weather-related breakage, provided the sheets are installed and maintained in accordance with Brett Martin’s installation guidelines.
To keep the warranty valid, the sheets must be:
- Installed with the UV-protected side facing outwards
- Correctly supported using the recommended glazing system
- Allowed to expand and contract naturally
- Properly stored, handled and cleaned
- Installed in accordance with Brett Martin’s published installation recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are polycarbonate roofing sheets unbreakable?
While no roofing material is completely indestructible, premium polycarbonate is exceptionally impact resistant. Marlon FS solid polycarbonate is described by the manufacturer as having legendary strength, around 200 times stronger than glass, making it exceptionally impact resistant and virtually unbreakable in normal use. However, like all roofing materials, it has performance limits under exceptionally severe impacts, which are defined within the manufacturer’s limited warranty.
Can I walk on polycarbonate roofing sheets?
No. Polycarbonate roofing sheets should never be walked on directly. Always use crawl boards or suitable access equipment when working on a roof.
Which is stronger: solid or multiwall polycarbonate?
Solid polycarbonate offers the greatest impact resistance, while multiwall polycarbonate combines excellent strength with lower weight and superior thermal insulation.
Are polycarbonate sheets suitable for UK weather?
Yes. Premium polycarbonate roofing sheets are specifically designed for long-term outdoor use and are widely used throughout the UK for canopies, conservatories, greenhouses and covered walkways.
How long do polycarbonate roofing sheets last?
Quality sheets with UV protection, such as Marlon ST and Marlon FS, are supplied with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty when installed correctly.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a roofing material that combines exceptional strength, low weight, weather resistance and excellent light transmission, polycarbonate roofing sheets are one of the best choices available.
Whether you need multiwall polycarbonate roofing sheets for a patio cover or solid clear polycarbonate sheets for a high-impact glazing application, Omega Build supplies premium UK-manufactured Marlon products that are built to last.
Explore our ranges:
- Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets: https://www.omegabuild.com/product-category/polycarbonate-sheets/polycarbonate-roofing-sheets
- Solid Clear Polycarbonate Sheets: https://www.omegabuild.com/product-category/polycarbonate-sheets/solid-clear-polycarbonate-sheets
