Clear polycarbonate sheets

Applications of clear polycarbonate sheets

Thanks to its glass-like clarity, ultra-high impact resistance and low weight, clear polycarbonate is the first choice wherever transparent protection is needed—indoors and outdoors. Typical uses include:

• Vandal-resistant glazing: bus shelters, bicycle sheds, schools, sports venues, security windows and display cases.
• Machine guards & protective screens: workshops, CNC enclosures, splash guards and barrier panels.
• Vehicle & marine glazing: caravan and motorhome windows, boat windscreens and hatches.
• Roofs & canopies: patio covers, porch infills, lean-to roofs and greenhouse panels.
• Balcony and stair infills: tough, safe and clear balustrade panels.
• Signage & light boxes: illuminated advertising where high clarity and durability are required.
• Catering and public areas: heat-resistant, easy-to-clean panels for sneeze guards and service counters.

Types of crystal-clear polycarbonate

We supply solid, crystal-clear polycarbonate sheets cut to size. Choose the option that fits your project:

• Standard clear polycarbonate – maximum clarity with outstanding impact resistance; UV-protected and suitable for indoor and outdoor glazing.
• Clear Makrolon® ECO – the same transparency and toughness, produced with recycled content for a more sustainable choice.
• Thickness options (2–15 mm) – pick thinner sheets for secondary glazing and displays, or thicker panels for roofs, canopies and high-load areas.

All clear sheets are delivered with a protective film and precision-cut to your dimensions.

Working with clear polycarbonate

Clear polycarbonate is easy to handle and very forgiving—ideal for DIY and professional use. Follow these essentials for a clean, safe result:

• Keep the protective film on, support the sheet and clamp lightly.
• Cut with fine-tooth blades; drill with HSS bits and de-burr.
• Fix with screws, gaskets or flexible adhesives—allow for movement: ~0.65 mm per metre per 10 °C (e.g. a 2 m panel needs ~6.5 mm clearance over a 50 °C swing).
• Cold bending is possible within limits; avoid tight radii.
• Clean with mild soap and water; avoid harsh solvents and abrasives.

Example:

You’re going to use a polycarbonate sheet as balcony glazing and the sheet is 2 metres wide. The outside temperatures can vary from -15 ° to + 35 ° Celsius. That is a temperature difference of 50 ° Celsius on a plate of 2 metres. The expansion degree is then (2 metres * 0.65) * 5 degrees = 6.5 mm.

Characteristics of clear polycarbonate sheets

Here are the key characteristics of clear polycarbonate (also known as Lexan/Makrolon):

• Virtually unbreakable: impact-resistant (far stronger than glass) yet lightweight.
• Heat & fire performance: tolerates high temperatures; self-extinguishing and fire-retardant.
• Easy to work: suitable for sawing, drilling, milling and cold-bending; supplied with protective film on both sides.
• Outdoor-ready: UV-resistant surfaces prevent yellowing and make it ideal for canopies, boat windows and other exterior glazing.
• Security uses: tough enough for vandal-resistant glazing in shelters, bike parks and public areas.
• Care note: more scratch-sensitive than glass—light scratches can be polished out; use an anti-static cleaner to reduce dust.

Properties of clear polycarbonate

• 2 x as light and 250 x as strong as regular glass
• Suitable for contact with food
• Shockproof
• Moisture resistant
• UV resistant
• Fire resistant
• Self-extinguishing
• Recyclable

Maintenance of clear polycarbonate

Keep clear polycarbonate looking its best with gentle cleaning—avoid anything abrasive.

How to clean:

• Rinse off loose dirt.
• Wipe with a soft, clean microfibre cloth and lukewarm water with a mild, non-abrasive detergent. Rinse the cloth often.
• Finish with a small amount of Burnus (anti-static cleaner) on a lint-free cloth to reduce dust build-up.

Avoid:

• Hard brushes, scouring pads and abrasive cleaners.
• Solvents such as alcohol, acetone, benzene, thinners and standard glass cleaners (they can cause haze or micro-cracks).

Scratch repair:

• Light marks can be polished out.
• For deeper scratches, wet-sand first (grit ≥ 400), then polish.

For step-by-step guidance, see our blog on polishing polycarbonate.

We offer various clear polycarbonate sheets sizes

Choose the thickness and dimensions that fit your project—we cut every panel to size. From lightweight screens in 4mm clear polycarbonate sheet to sturdier roofing and safety glazing with 10mm clear polycarbonate sheet, you’ll get crystal-clear, UV-resistant panels ready to install.

Buy your clear polycarbonate sheet cut to your size

Buy your clear polycarbonate sheet cut to size and get exactly the dimensions you need—no trimming, no waste. Enter your measurements online and we’ll machine-cut with millimetre precision, de-burr the edges and keep the protective film on for a clean arrival. Each panel is made to order, UV-resistant, and ready to install the moment it’s delivered.