FAQ
Monday - Thursday 8am - 4:30pm and Fridays 8am - 3pm. We are closed on weekends and bank holidays.
If you are unable to reach us on the phone, we have the option of voicemails and emails. Our teams will be able to respond as soon as they are available.
Yes they are. All of our phone calls are recorded for training, quality and monitoring purposes. This allows us to go back to the phone calls to gauge the quality of assistance the sales and support team provides, check order details are correct before submitting orders, aid potential new staff members in their training etc.
Please be aware that we turn off the phone recording whilst we are taking payments over the phone for GDPR and data security. We do not keep a record or transcript of any payment details.
For our introductory disclaimer and on our hold message, it states that all calls are recorded and stored for training and monitoring purposes.
Yes. Although we make every effort to ensure our products are cut to your exact measurements, we do have an industry standard tolerance of +/- 5mm on all our material sheets.
With Twinwall and Multiwall, this does mean that we cannot guarantee the cutting will follow the solid line of the flutes.
We strongly recommend you consider this before placing your order.
For questions or complaints, contact us within 72 hours of receiving the order at customerservice@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk
In the event of any damages or discrepancies when you receive your order, you must notify us within 72 hours of receiving the delivery and send us photographic evidence of the damages. Upon receipt and acknowledgement, the correct course of action will be taken.
Returns are only applicable to non-bespoke items within 7 days of receipt. For example, all material that have been cut-to size are not eligble for a returns, however unused standard size accessories are.
Please request a copy of our policy. Return requests must be made in writing to customerservice@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk
Goods must be returned in original condition and packaging by the customer to our warehouse address for inspection. We will not collect any returns on your behalf. Goods must be returned in person by the customer or by a courier, with the details provided.
Yes, any order can be collected. We require a minimum 72 hour timeframe for processing and cutting prior to collecting. Please note this is subject to stock and availability. We will contact you with your collection slot and further information.
Collection from Sleaford, NG34 9JD.
Once your order has been scanned onto despatch boards, you will receive a generic email notification that your order is out for delivery. Our in house drivers deliver in a 12-hour period, 7am – 7pm. If our driver faces difficulties whilst delivering your goods, we always strive to notify you in advance.
Please keep your telephone to hand in case the driver contacts you to liaise with you directly.
Be aware we do not offer tracking numbers, live updates or pre-call services.
Please note that we deliver kerbside and try to limit direct contact with customers in accordance with COVID safety rules, we may not require a signature. Kerbside delivery means that delivery is made as close as possible to the delivery address you provide. You do not need to be present at the property.
If delivery is attempted and the driver cannot find a suitable safe place to leave the goods or get in contact with you, your order will be returned to our warehouse. Delivery will be reattempted on the next run into your area. We strongly recommend that you keep your telephone to hand to allow the driver to liaise with you directly.
Couriers may require a signature and may not leave the goods in a safe location unless this has been specifically requested by yourself. If you liaise directly with the couriers beyond our awareness, we will not be held liable for any delays or lost shipments.
We only deliver to the UK mainland. We do not deliver to Northern Ireland, Ireland, any Isles off mainland UK, JE or GY postcodes.
We strongly recommend customers view our postcode delivery map.
Some postcodes are subject to longer lead times. Customers should contact the office team with their requirements before ordering online to ensure we can fulfil your order to your address. Effected postcodes: TR, SA, LD, SY, LL, PA, PH, IV, KW.
All items purchased from us are delivered using our own in house fleet of vehicles, for £25.50 including VAT.
3-10 working days is our standard delivery option. For some regions, the lead time is 7-14 working days.
We use our own in house fleet of transport, Molan UK. It is rare we use couriers and mail services, however if we do, these include Royal Mail, DHL and NSL.
Daily routes are typically delivered in 3-10 working days.
Our weekly routes are typically delivered in 7-14 working days.
Our grey regions are subject to longer lead times depending on vehicle capacity.
If you need to provide us with any information for delivery, please email us immediately to ensure this is passed onto our transport team before processing customerservice@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk
Some of our vehicles are 7.5 and 18 tonnes; if there are access or other restrictions which will prevent vehicles above a certain size, height or width reaching your address, please let us know before your order is processed and dispatched. Once your order is loaded and out for delivery, it is unlikely that instructions will be met.
You must make us aware of any project deadlines prior to ordering to ensure we can fulfill your requests within this time frame.
Please do not book projects, builders or labourers on site until you have received your order and it has been cross checked by yourself and is in good condition.
Yes, we offer free of charge samples of material only. Unfortunately we do not offer samples of accessories, tapes or adhesives.
Please email us your requirements to sales@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk and we will return a sample request form to you.
Twinwall and Mulitwall is only UV1 which means it is only UV protected on one side of the material. Once the film has been removed from both sides of the sheets, it is very tricky to tell which side is UV protected and which side isn't.
There are a few clues:
- The printed message on the film is always on top, so if you can see the small ink message this is the UV side and it must be installed facing up, towards the sun.
- The plain protective film side has no UV coating on it, this should be installed facing away from the sun.
- The UV layer contains an optical brightener, which looks a little bluer than the bottom layer.
- Due to the optical brightener layer, if you shine a UV light/pen the material should show up brighter blue.
Twinwall and Mulitwall is only UV1 which means it is only UV protected on one side of the material.
Typically, the protective film will indicate which way round the sheets should be installed. As a rule of thumb, the protective film side with the writing on it is the UV protected side, therefore this should be installed facing upwards towards the sun. The plain protective film side has no UV coating on it, this should be installed facing away from the sun.
If Twinwall or Multiwall sheets have been installed the incorect way, it will void the manufacturers guarentee.
No, this is a free of charge service. All panel sizes are yielded and cut from large stock sheet size at no additional cost to customers.
Please note that there is a 5mm +/- cutting tolerance on all sheets.
The flutes of the sheet always run along the length.
If you require the flutes to run in a particular direction, you need to input that measurement as the length option online.
4mm and 6mm twinwall polycarbonate panels are the traditional use because of the excellent light transmission ability.
To better understand the material itself, polycarbonate has a very wide service temperature, ranging from -50 to +120 degrees C. At about 135 degrees, it reaches the Heat Deflection Temperature and starts losing its physical properties. At around 140 degrees, the sheet starts to deform, which eventually results in the material folding or collapsing out from its frame or whatever it is that’s holding it in place. Between 160 and 170 degrees, the sheet begins to transform into a melted material at which point it starts dripping.
This melting phenomenon can help extinguish fire in cases where it melts directly on the flame source.
One important distinction is between solid and multiwall Polycarbonate. Solid Polycarbonate is normally heavier since it contains more material per square meter whereas multiwall sheets contain air channels or flutes.
Take, for example, a vertical glazing application, which can use either solid or multiwall Polycarbonate sheets. In the case of fire, the multiwall will burn faster and create a hole in the glazing. If the fire source is internal and the hole allows the smoke to escape from the room outwards, this is beneficial. On the other hand, a solid sheet will perform better in stopping the spread of fire, which is key if building occupants are located on the other side of the glazing. In a roof or canopy application, again the multiwall sheet will allow burning to occur faster, creating a hole and allowing the smoke to escape.
Yes, it is. Our solid polycarbonate is UV2 which means it is it UV protected on both sides of the material. Please be aware that 1mm and 1.5mm thicknesses are only UV1 protected.
We recommend that you refer to the protective film on the material.
Yes. Solid polycarbonate is clear as glass. It is also half the weight of glass which makes it an excellent alternative.
Yes, it is a free of charge service we offer. 10mm, 16mm, 25mm, 32mm, 35mm multiwall polycarbonate sheets come pre taped.
Aluminium solid tape at the top edge of the sheet and anti-dust breather tape at the bottom edge of the sheet.
Please be aware that 4mm and 6mm twinwall polycarbonate sheets aren't taped.
Multiwall polycarbonate is created using thermoplastic resin, which is a lightweight plastic, has dimensional stability, and high heat and electrical resistance. Sheets of multiwall polycarbonate are structured sheets of plastic with various walls within their structure, which leaves hollow spaces in between, known as flutes.
Solid polycarbonate sheets are created using the same strong and lightweight thermoplastic resin material as multiwall sheets. Even though polycarbonate is still fairly strong in multiwall form, in its solid form, it is highly impact-resistant, more insulating than glass, clear like glass and virtually unbreakable.
We do not offer specific fitting instructions because our materials are used for a broad range of applications. We have generic installation and data guides for explanations and product information. If you would like a copy of this, please email us at sales@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk
Yes. There are many brands of solid polycarbonate including; Palsun, Lexan, Makrolon. Our most popular brand that is kept in stock regularly is Palsun.
We also hold stock of Palram and Brett Martin Twinwall and Multiwall polycarbonate.
Although online is the quickest option to place an order, you can call our team on 01143570327 or email us at sales@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk
Yes. All our prices online are including VAT. On the product page for each item, it lists the including and excluding price.
The website automatically gives a discount if the order is over a set amount, it is on a tiered discount level.
For large orders, we urge customers to contact our team directly at sales@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk
For some materials, yes we can. We would need you to provide us with a clear labelled diagram to sales@thepolycarbonatestore.co.uk and we can then quote you. In some cases, we may require a DXF file to scale.
Yes, however, you are best to pre-drill pilot holes in polycarbonate sheets are they expand and contract with temperate changes. If you screw straight through without pre-drilling it allows no scope for expansion and the sheets may end up warping and flexing.
You can use an ordinary iron drill or HSS drill bit to drill holes in polycarbonate. Position the drill perpendicular to the polycarbonate and run the drill at medium speed immediately. Don't use too much pressure but let the drill do the work.
All materials are Class 1 Fire Rating: BS476/7.
Please refer to the manufacturers Product Safety Data Sheet (PSDS)
Yes, polycarbonate sheets can be cut with either a circular saw or a jigsaw. A circular saw is the best tool for cutting larger polycarbonate lengths.
Use a Fine-Toothed Blade: A blade with more teeth will result in a smoother cut and reduce the risk of chipping.
Support the sheet: Ensure the polycarbonate sheet is well-supported on both sides of the cut to prevent cracking.
Avoid overheating: Cutting too quickly can cause the polycarbonate to melt or warp.
No. Unfortunately, we do not offer a polishing service for any Polycarbonate.
We would suggest Acrylic as an alternative, we can polish the edges of this material.
Solid polycarbonate can be used behind your hob or sink. Solid polycarbonate has a Class 1 Fire Rating.
Please note that it is not wise to use acrylic if you have a gas cooker, because acrylic cannot withstand the heat created by open flames. Acrylic is however suitable for installation behind electric and induction hobs. We recommend that it should be installed a minimum of 100mm away.
Our Solid Polycarbonate, Twinwall and Multiwall sheets have a 10 year guarantee against discolouration. This means that the material is expected to last a span of 10 years before they discolour or start yellowing. Please note that solid polycarbonate (depending on thickness) is UV2 which means it is UV protected on both sides of the material. Twinwall and Mulitwall is only UV1 which means it is only UV protected on one side of the material. If Twinwall or Multiwall sheets have been installed the incorect way, it will void the manufacturers guarentee.
Acrylic sheets are UV stable and resists yellowing from the sun.
