How Can Awnings Handle Sun and Rain in South America? Key Polycarbonate Sheet Selection Considerations

Outdoor building projects across South America include window awnings, entrance canopies, patio roofs and daylighting structures. These applications often require both daylight transmission and weather protection, making Polycarbonate Hollow Sheet an option worth considering.

However, choosing a material based only on price or thickness is not enough. For outdoor awnings, buyers should also evaluate light transmission, impact performance, UV-related data, thickness control and thermal expansion.

Why Should Buyers Check UV Performance?

Outdoor roofing materials are exposed to sunlight for extended periods. Therefore, buyers should request specific UV-related technical data rather than relying only on general descriptions such as “UV resistant.”

In a test report for a 10mm polycarbonate hollow sheet, the measured UV transmittance was 0.0009%.

This measured value can be used as a technical reference when comparing materials. However, UV transmittance alone should not be interpreted as proof of a specific service life or a particular UV-coating structure.

Impact Performance Matters in Outdoor Applications

Awning sheets may experience mechanical impact during transportation, installation and outdoor use. Impact testing is therefore an important parameter for material selection.

The tested 10mm sample underwent a 15J drop-weight impact test, using a 1.0kg hammer from a height of 1.53m. Ten impacts were performed and no damage was observed.

For professional procurement, test energy, test method and actual results are more useful than simply describing a sheet as “impact resistant.”

How Does 10mm Thickness Relate to Daylighting?

Thickness is one of the first specifications buyers compare, but it should not be evaluated independently from optical performance. For awnings that require natural daylight, luminous transmittance and haze should also be reviewed.

The tested 10mm sample achieved 82% luminous transmittance, with a haze result of 2.4%.

These measured values provide a clearer basis for evaluating whether a polycarbonate hollow sheet is suitable for daylighting applications than general terms such as “clear” or “high transparency.”

Polycarbonate Sheet Selection Checklist

Before purchasing polycarbonate hollow sheets for outdoor awnings, buyers should check:

1. Sheet Specification

Confirm thickness, width, length and actual sheet structure before comparing supplier quotations.

2. Optical Performance

Check luminous transmittance and haze, especially for entrance canopies and window awnings where natural light is important.

3. UV-Related Data

Request test data and verify that the results correspond to the actual product configuration.

4. Impact Testing

Look beyond the term “impact resistant” and check the test energy, method and measured result.

5. Thermal Expansion

The tested sample showed thermal-expansion results of 3.48 × 10⁻⁵/°C and 2.81 × 10⁻⁵/°C in the two reported directions. These values can be used as supporting information when considering installation clearances and structural design.

Conclusion

For outdoor awning projects in South America, selecting a polycarbonate hollow sheet should go beyond price and thickness. A more practical approach is to compare luminous transmittance, UV-related data, impact performance and thermal expansion together.

For the tested 10mm polycarbonate hollow sheet, the 82% luminous transmittance, 0.0009% UV transmittance and 15J impact-test result provide measurable technical references for professional material evaluation.