Solid PC is a continuous panel; multiwall PC has ribs and air cells. That construction difference changes area weight, daylight appearance, heat flow, edge treatment and the questions needed for a roof or enclosure quote. Choose the sheet with the support and fixing system in mind, not by nominal thickness alone.
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At a glance: what changes for the buyer?
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| Decision | Solid PC | Multiwall PC |
|---|---|---|
| Section and appearance | Continuous, flat sheet; useful when a clear view through the panel is important. | Ribs/cells remain visible; can diffuse light and obscure a direct view, depending on colour and structure. |
| Weight | Density around 1.20 g/cm³ for the representative solid grade. Area mass is approximately thickness in mm × 1.20 kg/m². | Mass depends on wall count, rib geometry and gauge. Specify the quoted profile’s kg/m² or g/m², not just nominal thickness. |
| Insulation | Single-layer sheet offers no enclosed air-cell structure; ask for system U-value if heat flow matters. | Air cells can improve thermal resistance. Request the exact profile’s sheet-centre thermal value and assess the installed assembly separately. |
| Edge and moisture | Cut edges are continuous; specify finish, holes and protective film. | Open channels require correct orientation, end sealing/venting, drainage and suitable profiles to control dust and condensation. |
| Processing and support | Cutting, drilling, bending and flat-panel fabrication can be reviewed from drawings. Guards require an assembly-level hazard review. | Rib direction, bend radius, support spacing, connector profile and wind/snow loading govern a roof or wall design. |
A useful weight comparison, with its limits
For 1 m² of nominal 10 mm sheet, a representative solid PC panel calculates to about 12 kg (10 mm × 1.20 kg/m² per mm). A representative 10 mm three-wall profile in the supplied product range is about 1.7 kg/m². Across 10 m², that is roughly 120 kg versus 17 kg of sheet material before framing, connectors or packaging. The multiwall number is profile-specific; confirm it on the offered quotation. Equal nominal thickness does not mean equal strength, allowable span or impact protection.
For a roof, the lower sheet mass may matter to handling and support design, but the required load/span table and fixing detail decide whether the offered profile works. For a guard, use hazard and assembly requirements rather than substituting a lighter multiwall panel because its nominal thickness matches solid PC. See the roof load and span guide and machine-guard application guide.
Shortlist by application
- Clear machine enclosure or impact screen: begin with solid PC; provide the hazard, panel opening, frame, fixings and required standard. Consider hard-coated PC when frequent cleaning or abrasion matters.
- Greenhouse or daylighting roof: review multiwall PC when weight and heat flow matter. State the wall count, UV face, rib direction, span, loads, slope, drainage and connector system.
- Flat glazing or fabricated display: solid PC may suit a clear, continuous surface. If thermal performance or diffuse daylight dominates, compare a defined multiwall construction instead.
Neither family is automatically suitable for a safety or structural application. A nominal 10 mm comparison is a procurement illustration; project design must use the quoted grade/profile, current load table, fastening details and local requirements.
What to send for a side-by-side quotation
Provide panel length and width, quantity, destination, indoor/outdoor exposure, target appearance, support drawing and span, design loads, fixing type, UV direction, insulation target, edge/drainage detail, any cutouts or bending, and the named test/report requirement. Ask for the exact solid grade and exact multiwall wall structure and area mass you are comparing. The written quote confirms product, price and lead time for the custom specification; published averages are planning references.
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Questions buyers ask
Does 10 mm multiwall PC replace 10 mm solid PC?
No. The same nominal thickness does not establish equivalent mass, impact response, stiffness, allowable span or clarity. Compare the exact profiles and the installed assembly against your design requirement.
Which sheet needs channel-edge sealing?
Multiwall sheets have open cells at cut ends, so the selected installation must address end treatment, dust, water and drainage. Confirm tape and profile details for the offered wall structure. Solid sheets do not have open internal channels.
Can I request weight and insulation data before ordering?
Yes. Ask sales for area mass and applicable thermal data for the quoted multiwall profile, plus the grade-specific data for a solid option. Check thickness, wall geometry, colour and test method before comparing values.