Construction
High-Performance Plastics for Building and Construction Applications
Construction plastics for glazing, cladding, partitions, canopies, shelters, and sustainable building systems.
Laird Plastics supplies construction plastics for architects, contractors, fabricators, and OEMs who need reliable plastics for building and construction. From architectural glazing materials and interior partitions to FRP wall panels, composite sheets, and greenhouse systems, our high-strength building materials plastics support modern building envelope designs and sustainable, recyclable construction materials. Common products include polycarbonate glazing panels, acrylic sheets for construction, FRP panels, composite materials such as ACRE composite sheets, and fluted polypropylene panels used throughout the jobsite.
Durable, Sustainable Plastics for Modern Construction
Construction-grade plastics support glazing, interior finishes, exterior cladding, and auxiliary components across commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential projects.
Glazing, Skylights & Daylighting Systems
Architectural GlazingGlazing plastics and architectural glazing materials for flat and sloped glazing, skylights, canopies, walkway covers, translucent roofs, and window systems. Polycarbonate glazing panels and acrylic sheets for construction deliver a lighter, impact-resistant alternative to glass.
Interior Partitions & Wall Protection
Interior SystemsInterior partition plastics and FRP panels for construction used in hospitals, schools, retail, food processing areas, and industrial corridors. Smooth, cleanable wall systems help control damage, reduce maintenance, and meet hygiene requirements.
Exterior Cladding, Shelters & Sound Barriers
Building EnvelopePlastics for building and construction used in façades, canopy systems, transit shelters, security enclosures, and sound barrier plastics along roadways and rail corridors. UV-resistant construction materials keep clarity and strength even under harsh weather.
Sustainable Plastics, Greenhouses & Composites
Sustainable SystemsGreenhouse construction plastics, composite sheets for construction, and sustainable building plastics that support lower environmental impact and long service life. Includes recyclable construction materials used in decking, enclosures, and architectural accents.
Quick Facts: Performance of Construction Plastics
Key performance characteristics used to evaluate high-strength building materials plastics for glazing, cladding, partitions, and shelter systems.
| Parameter | Why It Matters | Design Guidance | Typical Construction Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact strength Safety & Security | High-impact strength helps glazing and panels resist wind-borne debris, vandalism, accidental impacts, and everyday abuse. | Use durable impact-resistant plastics for security glazing and shelters, transit stops, overhead canopies, and school or healthcare glazing where breakage risk is higher. | Security windows, bus shelters, protective screens, walkways, mezzanine guards. |
| UV resistance and weatherability Exterior | UV-resistant construction materials maintain clarity, color, and mechanical properties when exposed to sunlight, heat, and weather. | Use UV-stabilized polycarbonate and acrylic in glazing plastics, exterior canopies, façades, and sound barrier panels to limit yellowing and embrittlement. | Skylights, canopies, façades, sound barriers, covered walkways, greenhouses. |
| Fire rating and code compliance Code | Many building types require rated materials for interior finishes, wall systems, and certain glazing applications to comply with building and fire codes. | Confirm flame spread, smoke development, and applicable listings when specifying FRP panels for construction, interior partition plastics, and building envelope materials. | Interior wall panels, partitions, corridors, exit passageways, public spaces. |
| Thermal performance and insulation Energy | Plastics with multiwall or cellular structures can improve insulation, helping control heat gain and loss through glazing and envelope systems. | Use structured polycarbonate glazing panels in skylights, greenhouses, and translucent walls to balance light transmission with energy efficiency. | Translucent wall systems, greenhouses, daylighting panels, atriums. |
| Chemical and moisture resistance Durability | Construction environments often involve cleaning chemicals, humidity, and wash-down areas that can damage traditional materials. | Select FRP, PVC, polypropylene, or composite sheets where moisture, cleaning agents, or process chemicals are present, especially in food, healthcare, or industrial spaces. | Food processing, wash-down rooms, labs, animal facilities, industrial spaces. |
| Recyclability and sustainability Environment | Recyclable construction materials and sustainable building plastics help support environmental certifications and corporate sustainability goals. | Work with suppliers who can document recycled content, recyclability, and responsible sourcing for composite sheets and plastics used in long-lived building components. | Decking, cladding, enclosures, architectural accents, durable interior elements. |
How to Select Plastics for Building and Construction
Use this framework when deciding which construction plastics to use for glazing, partitions, façades, shelters, and auxiliary components.
Define the application and performance requirements
Start by clarifying where and how the material will be used. Glazing plastics, interior partition plastics, and exterior cladding may all require very different performance characteristics.
- ● Is the application interior, exterior, overhead, or at grade?
- ● Are impact, fire rating, insulation, or sound control the primary drivers?
- ● Will the area be exposed to moisture, wash-down, or chemicals?
Match material families to the application
Different plastics for building and construction are optimized for different roles in the building envelope and interior spaces.
- ● Use polycarbonate glazing panels and acrylic sheets for construction where light transmission and impact strength are important.
- ● Use FRP panels for construction and PVC or CPVC where wash-down, hygiene, and chemical resistance are critical.
- ● Use composite sheets for construction and fluted polypropylene where stiffness, weight, and recyclability must be balanced.
Plan for installation, lifespan and sustainability
Beyond initial performance, consider installation methods, expected service life, and whether the materials support recyclable construction materials goals.
- ● Confirm framing details, mounting hardware, and allowance for thermal expansion in glazing plastics.
- ● Consider how panels can be removed, replaced, or recycled at end of life.
- ● Align sustainable building plastics choices with energy performance and environmental certifications.
Construction Plastics FAQs
Answers to common questions about construction plastics, glazing materials, and sustainable building plastics.
What plastics are used in modern building and construction applications?
Modern building and construction applications use plastics such as polycarbonate, acrylic, FRP, PVC, CPVC, composite sheets, and fluted polypropylene. Polycarbonate and acrylic are common in glazing and skylights, FRP is used for interior wall protection and hygienic spaces, while composite and fluted materials are used in cladding, decking, and temporary protection. Each material is selected based on impact strength, fire rating, weatherability, and maintenance needs.
What are the best plastic materials for skylights, canopies, and glazing panels?
The best plastic materials for skylights, canopies, and glazing panels are typically polycarbonate and acrylic. Polycarbonate glazing panels provide high impact resistance and good thermal performance, making them well-suited for sloped glazing, canopies, and areas exposed to hail or debris. Acrylic offers excellent clarity and UV stability, and is often used where optical quality and aesthetics are a priority. Both materials are lighter than glass and support easier handling and installation.
Are plastics sustainable building materials?
Plastics can be sustainable building materials when they are used in long-lived applications, specified with appropriate recycled content, and designed for recyclability at end of life. Many construction plastics deliver extended service life, reduced maintenance, and improved energy performance, which can offset their initial environmental footprint. Working with suppliers who offer recyclable construction materials and documented sustainable building plastics supports broader sustainability and circularity goals.
What are the benefits of using polycarbonate and acrylic in construction?
Polycarbonate and acrylic provide several benefits in construction, including reduced weight versus glass, high impact resistance, strong light transmission, and design flexibility. Polycarbonate is preferred in impact-critical applications such as security glazing, canopies, and shelters, while acrylic is favored for optical clarity, gloss, and long-term UV stability. Both materials can be formed, cut, and fabricated into complex shapes, making them valuable tools for architects and builders.
Where are durable impact-resistant plastics used in security glazing and shelters?
Durable impact-resistant plastics are used in security glazing, transit shelters, bus stops, guard booths, school and healthcare entryways, correctional facilities, and public infrastructure. In these applications, polycarbonate and other high-strength building materials plastics help protect against vandalism, forced entry, and weather events while allowing visibility and natural light. They are often combined with specialized framing, coatings, and multi-layer constructions to meet project-specific security requirements.
