Once upon a time, fiberglass panels were the standard for translucent walls and skylights. They were practical, inexpensive, and filled a need. But if we’re honest, they’ve aged about as well as shag carpet and wood paneling. Architects today are looking for materials that perform better, last longer, and look sharper — and that’s where polycarbonate has completely taken over.

One of the first things architects noticed is how poorly fiberglass holds up under the sun. UV exposure takes its toll quickly, leaving panels yellowed, chalky, and dull. That not only kills the clean look of a façade, it also blocks out the daylight that the panels were supposed to provide. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, is designed with UV protection built right in. It stays clear, bright, and consistent year after year, so projects look as good on day one thousand as they did on day one.

Daylighting is another reason fiberglass is fading fast. Its uneven texture scatters light in ways that feel murky and inconsistent. Walk into a space with old fiberglass glazing and you’ll see it — the shadows, the haze, the dim glow. With polycarbonate, daylight feels different. It’s crisp, evenly diffused, and vibrant. Spaces come alive with natural illumination that’s comfortable for people and efficient for the building.

Durability plays a huge role too. Fiberglass has always been prone to cracking, splintering, and general wear and tear. Once damaged, it quickly loses both performance and appearance. Polycarbonate is known for its incredible impact resistance — strong enough to take on hail, debris, and daily abuse without missing a beat. For building owners and contractors, that means fewer headaches and far less maintenance.

And then, of course, there’s the look. Fiberglass panels have that familiar gridded pattern — a style that instantly dates a building back to the 1980s. Dirt gets trapped in the texture, weathering makes it worse, and before long, the whole system looks tired. Polycarbonate systems bring a completely different aesthetic. Clean, sleek, and modern, they integrate beautifully with contemporary curtainwall, skylight, and canopy designs.

When you add it all up — UV stability, crisp daylighting, strength, and style — polycarbonate panels deliver not only superior performance but also long-term value. While fiberglass might still tempt with a lower price tag upfront, its short lifespan and tendency to degrade make it a costly choice in the long run.

The truth is, fiberglass has had its day. It served a purpose when options were limited, but architecture has moved forward. Polycarbonate is here to stay — stronger, clearer, and infinitely more modern. Those gridded fiberglass panels? They’re best left in the same decade as neon windbreakers and cassette tapes.

Want to see how polycarbonate can transform your next project? Crystal Structures Glazing designs, manufactures, and installs daylighting systems nationwide. From skylights and canopies to translucent walls, we’ll help you bring the beauty of natural light into your design — with materials that are built to last. 

Daylighting is too important to leave to chance.

Let Crystal Structures help you bring your vision to light—without compromise.

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National Reputation As the Go-To Team

Crystal Structures is frequently chosen as the contractor-preferred sub for high-reputational risk projects with highly-custom / complex / “gotta be right” / “how do we actually do this” visionary concepts. 

Your glazed structure design-to-completion team.

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