Polycarbonate or glass veranda roof: which should you choose?
The short answer
Polycarbonate costs less, weighs less and comes in an opal finish that softens the light. Glass gives the clearest view, the quietest roof in rain and the most daylight into the room behind. Both are built for Irish weather and both can be closed in as a glass room. Which one suits you comes down to where the veranda faces, what is behind it and what you want to spend.
Polycarbonate roofs
Our Bosco and Giallo verandas have a roof of 16mm multiwall polycarbonate: a rigid sheet with air channels through it, light enough that the frame needs no reinforcement. It comes in four finishes.
- Clear. The most light, with a slightly ribbed look from the channels.
- Opal. A milky white that diffuses the sun, cuts glare and hides leaves and dirt on top. The most popular choice on south- and west-facing patios.
- Ultra clear. A clearer sheet with less of the ribbed effect, closer to glass in appearance.
- Solar control. Tinted to reflect heat, for patios that get too hot in summer.
Polycarbonate is quality-made and does not discolour. Rain on it is louder than on glass, which some people like and others do not.
Glass roofs
Our Pigato, Trebbiano and Pinela Glass verandas have a roof of laminated safety glass: two sheets bonded with an interlayer, so if it is ever broken it holds together rather than falling. Glass is heavier, so these models have a reinforced gutter and a stronger frame.
The result is a roof you can see straight through, which matters most when the veranda sits over the kitchen or living room windows. A glass roof keeps that room as bright as it was. Rain is quieter, and glass stays clearer for longer between washes. It costs more than polycarbonate, and on a hot south-facing patio it can make the space warm, so a glass roof often pairs with sliding doors that open right up.
Side by side
| 16mm polycarbonate | Laminated safety glass | |
|---|---|---|
| Models | Bosco, Giallo | Pigato, Trebbiano, Pinela Glass |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| View through the roof | Clear or diffused, slightly ribbed | Completely clear |
| Light into the house | Good; opal reduces it | Best |
| Glare and heat | Opal and solar control reduce both | Full sun comes through; open the doors |
| Rain noise | Louder | Quieter |
| Weight and frame | Light; standard frame | Heavy; reinforced gutter |
| Can be closed in as a glass room | Yes | Yes |
Which to choose
Choose polycarbonate if keeping the cost down matters most, the patio faces south or west and gets strong sun, or you want the roof to hide what lands on it. Opal is the safe choice for most houses.
Choose glass if the veranda goes over the windows of a room you use all day, you want the cleanest look, or the patio faces north or east and needs every bit of light it can get.
Either way, the sides are a separate decision. Our glass rooms page covers closing in a veranda with sliding doors, and the cost guide shows how the roof choice changes the price.
See both in Ballymoney
The quickest way to decide is to stand under each. Our Ballymoney showroom has polycarbonate and glass roofs on display side by side, open Monday to Saturday. Ring 02825 429017 or request a free quote.
Common questions
Does polycarbonate go yellow?
The 16mm polycarbonate on our verandas is UV-protected and does not discolour.
Is a glass roof safe?
Yes. It is laminated safety glass, bonded so that it holds together if broken, fitted on a reinforced frame designed for its weight.
Can I change from polycarbonate to glass later?
Usually not on the same frame. Glass needs the reinforced gutter and frame of the Pigato, Trebbiano or Pinela Glass, so the roof type is chosen when you order.
Which roof is better for rain?
Both keep the rain off and drain to a built-in gutter. Glass is quieter; polycarbonate is louder, which some people enjoy.
Get a free quote
Leave your details and your nearest showroom will be in touch to arrange a free site visit. You get a fixed written quote, with no obligation.
Not ready for a quote yet? Download our brochure (PDF)
