Modern buildings in the Gulf often feature large glazed areas aimed at capturing as much natural light as possible to create a sense of spaciousness - much needed in today's environment.

Rowad Polycarbonate (PC) sheet, produced by the Riyadh-based Rowad National Plastic Company, is an ideal substitute for glass and is as transparent as glass but half its weight, says a spokesman for the company.

"It is tough yet flexible and cold formable. Its versatile features allow the architect the freedom to design imaginative glazed structures with long-term economy and safety in mind," he says.

"The advantages of Rowad PC sheets are apparent particularly in roof glazing or skylight. Its light weight facilitates the design of wide spans and enables considerably lighter supporting structures to be used. The exceptional mechanical properties of Rowad PC sheets - installed as space-glazing, continuous roof-lights or individual roof domes - contribute to the safety and security of roofing," he continues.

"Even skylights made up of expensive laminated glass are not safe and can easily break. The cost of such damage is not limited to the cost of the glass and its replacement; it can include damage to and loss of property and a real risk of personal injury.

"Widely regarded as the toughest of the glazing materials known, Rowad PC sheet has 250 times the impact strength of glass and so gives protection against vandalism and its consequences. Rowad PC sheet, even at a thickness of 4 mm, meets the requirements of anti-bandit glazing as defined and tested in BS5544," claims the spokesman. "Thus, it is being used in banks as a substitute for conventional glazing."

In addition, Rowad PC sheets display good heat resistance and high heat deflection temperature, which is required for thermoforming of domes and pyramids. Another key property of the sheet is its high transparency and the clear view it provides even for coloured skylights.

"Rowad PC textured sheet has an attractive textured surface, giving excellent light diffusion without transparency. This makes it ideal for interior and exterior privacy glazing applications such as shower screens, balustrades, doors and main gates. It serves to effectively hide any scratches or scuffing, which may result from heavy contact," says the spokesman.

As part of the company's development policy, Rowad plans to soon launch "Crystal" - a new PC texture design.

Rowad PC sheet is resistant to weathering because of its 50-60 micron UV (ultraviolet) protection layers on each side, compared to the international standard of only 30 microns UV protection, according to the spokesman. "This ensures durability in the most demanding climates such as in Saudi Arabia. The sheets carry a 10-year limited warranty against breakage, excessive yellowing and loss of light transmission on its sheets, for all kinds of public and private buildings including shopping centres, villas, mosques, schools, warehouses, offices and leisure centres, says the spokesman.

Flammability of building material is a major consideration for the specifier today. Standard PC sheets from Rowad can be defined as a Class "O" material as designated in the UK buildings regulations, he says.

"Rowad PC sheets have been used imaginatively in many types of buildings Kingdom-wide and in other Gulf states. It makes a unique contribution to safety and security with new and striking designs, while providing better thermal and sound insulation and achieving lower maintenance costs," he adds.