Bronze Polycarbonate

A bronze tint absorbs part of the sun's energy, so the space beneath warms less than under a clear sheet and glare drops noticeably. The effect is moderate. Bronze/opal dual colour and opal heat guard cut solar heat by up to 50% compared with clear, so choose one of those for a south-facing conservatory that overheats.

Bronze is available in 10mm twinwall and in 16, 25, 32 and 35mm multiwall. That covers carports and canopies at 10mm and 16mm, and conservatory roofs at 25mm and above. Every size is cut to your measurements from sheets up to 2100mm by 7000mm, with a plus or minus 5mm tolerance. Cut sheets are non-returnable.

A little, in daylight. The tint makes the interior look darker and less distinct from outside in bright sun, because bronze passes roughly half to two thirds less light than clear. It is not a privacy screen. After dark, with the lights on inside, the room shows through a bronze sheet. Opal is the better choice if you want to obscure the view.

Yes. On a carport or canopy, 10mm or 16mm bronze cuts glare and gives useful shade. On a conservatory, 25mm or thicker bronze reduces glare and takes the edge off summer heat while insulating like clear of the same thickness. For a south-facing conservatory that gets too hot, bronze/opal or heat guard cut solar heat further.

Bronze usually passes a little more light than opal. At 10mm, bronze lets through about 35% and opal about 30%. At 25mm, bronze is about 25% and opal about 15%. The character of the light differs more than the amount: bronze gives a warm, shaded light with visible shadows, while opal spreads the light evenly with no glare.