Choosing Suntuf roofing starts with more than deciding on a colour. The panel profile, surface finish and supporting framework all influence which sheet will work best for your project.

At The Polycarbonate Store, we offer four options from Palram: Suntuf IRN, Suntuf Beehive, Ez Glaze and Ez Glaze Beehive. Each provides lightweight polycarbonate roofing, but there are useful differences in appearance, light diffusion and installation.

What are Suntuf panels?

Suntuf is Palram’s range of profiled polycarbonate sheeting. Unlike hollow multiwall sheets, these panels have a single-skin construction, with a shaped profile that contributes to their rigidity.

Their combination of high impact resistance, low weight and UV protection makes them useful for UK porches, pergolas, patio covers, carports and garden shelters. They provide overhead weather protection while admitting daylight.

Choose the complete roof specification carefully: strong sheets still need suitable supports, fixings and anchoring for the location.

Suntuf IRN: traditional corrugated roofing

Suntuf IRN Corrugated Clear is our 0.8mm polycarbonate sheet with a traditional rounded corrugated profile.

It is a practical starting point for a straightforward porch canopy, shed roof or garden shelter where you want clear roofing with a familiar appearance. It is also worth considering for replacement projects, provided the profile and support arrangement are compatible.

IRN suits customers prioritising daylight, low sheet weight and a simple corrugated finish. Clear sheeting should not, however, be treated as a heat-control roof.

Suntuf Beehive: diffused daylight and a heavier sheet

Suntuf Beehive is a 2.8mm corrugated polycarbonate sheet with a prismatic, embossed surface.

The texture scatters daylight, reducing glare and giving a different appearance from smooth clear roofing. Available in clear and bronze, it is a good option for covered seating, patio roofs and outdoor work areas where softer light is preferable.

Its thicker construction and high impact resistance make it worth considering where a more substantial corrugated sheet is wanted. Support spacing must still be selected from the relevant loading guidance.

Ez Glaze: broad panels with a glass-like appearance

Ez Glaze uses 3mm polycarbonate with broad panel sections and raised overlapping edges.

Rather than repeating small corrugations across the roof, its profile creates wider viewing areas. This makes it a popular choice for contemporary entrance canopies, pergolas and patio covers where the view upwards matters.

The standard rafter installation fixes directly over correctly spaced rafters without conventional multiwall glazing bars. The panels overlap and screw into place; they are not click-together panels.

Ez Glaze Beehive: a broad profile with a textured finish

Ez Glaze Beehive combines a broad panel profile with 2.8mm embossed polycarbonate, providing diffused daylight with fewer repeated corrugations.

Supplied by The Polycarbonate Store in clear, it suits pergolas, patio covers, walkways and carports where customers want a textured finish rather than a clear viewing surface.

It has dedicated guidance for rafter and purlin installations. Ez Glaze Beehive and standard Ez Glaze have different profile dimensions and are not interchangeable, so check the exact product before ordering replacement sheets.

Which Suntuf sheet should you choose?

For a simple utility roof or traditional corrugated appearance, start with IRN. For that corrugated style with diffused light and a thicker sheet, consider Beehive.

For a contemporary roof with broad, clear viewing areas, look at Ez Glaze. Choose Ez Glaze Beehive when you prefer a broad profile with an embossed, light-diffusing finish.

The application alone does not decide the answer. A small sheltered porch and an exposed carport have different requirements, even when both use polycarbonate. Check the roof dimensions, support layout and local loading requirements before buying.

A short guide to installing Suntuf roofing

Prepare the framework

Select the sheet before setting out the supports. IRN and corrugated Beehive typically use purlins running across the roof slope; Ez Glaze systems have their own rafter layouts and, where approved, alternative support arrangements.

Use light-coloured timber contact surfaces and allow compatible coatings to dry fully. We generally recommend a 10° pitch where the system and design allow, while meeting the requirements for the exact panel.

Position and fix the panels

Run the profiles down the slope and orient the UV-protected surface according to the panel markings.

Use the specified overlaps, fixing pattern and clearance holes. The UK corrugated guide specifies 10mm diameter pre-drilled holes for the conventional fixing method, not holes 10mm larger than the screw. Approved dual-action fixings can have different drilling requirements.

Use suitable roofing screws and sealing washers, tightening without distorting the sheet. Follow the separate instructions for each profile rather than applying one fixing method to all four products.

Finish the roof

Complete the appropriate wall flashing, edge details and gutter arrangement. Keep drainage routes clear and remove protective film as instructed.

Never walk directly on the panels. For more detail, read our roofing installation tips and Ez Glaze installation guide.

Storage and maintenance

Before fitting, store sheets horizontally with even support in a cool, dry, shaded and ventilated location. Do not leave stacked panels in direct sunlight. Our storage guide explains how to protect sheets before installation.

Once fitted, rinse away loose dirt before cleaning with lukewarm water, a mild compatible detergent and a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and avoid abrasive cleaners, sharp tools and cleaning hot sheets in direct sunshine. Keep gutters clear and inspect washers and fixings without routinely tightening them further.

For help comparing the options, contact The Polycarbonate Store with your roof dimensions and supporting structure.

Suntuf roofing FAQs

Are Suntuf panels PVC?

No. Suntuf panels are polycarbonate. Palram’s Palruf range is PVC, with different material properties and installation requirements.

Is Beehive a different material?

No. “Beehive” refers to the textured finish within these polycarbonate product options. It diffuses light rather than providing the same clear view as a smooth panel.

Does a thicker sheet mean I can remove supports?

No. Permitted support spacing depends on the exact profile, loading and installation method. Use the relevant span tables; thickness alone is not a structural specification.

Can I replace IRN with Beehive on my existing roof?

Possibly, but confirm the profile dimensions, sheet coverage, supports and fixings first. Similar-looking corrugations do not guarantee compatibility.

Will Suntuf roofing make an enclosed porch warm?

These are single-skin roofing products, so they should not be selected for the insulation offered by multiwall glazing. An enclosed or heated porch needs a specification that considers the whole structure and any applicable building requirements.

Are the sheets supplied as a complete canopy kit?

No. These product ranges are roofing panels with separately selected accessories. They require a suitable supporting structure. Our Evolution lean-to canopy system is the complete framework-and-roof option we supply.