With the growing use of LED bulkhead lights in commercial projects, more and more clients are paying attention to the materials used in lighting fixtures. As an important component of bulkhead lights, the cover not only affects lighting performance but also influences protection, lifespan, and maintenance costs.
When selecting bulkhead lights, many buyers face the same question: which is better for their project, a PC cover or a glass cover?
In this article, we will compare the two options from a practical project perspective and help you choose the right solution.
What Are PC Covers and Glass Covers?
PC stands for Polycarbonate, an engineering plastic widely used in the lighting industry. Thanks to its light weight, high impact resistance, and excellent durability, PC covers are commonly used in IP65 LED Bulkhead Lights, IK10 Bulkhead Lights, and LED Bulkhead Lights with Sensor.
Glass covers are usually made of tempered glass or frosted glass. They offer high light transmission and a hard surface, making them a popular choice for many traditional bulkhead lights.
PC Cover vs Glass Cover: What Are the Main Differences?
1. Impact Resistance
One of the biggest advantages of PC is its excellent impact resistance. According to test data, PC is approximately 200–250 times more impact-resistant than ordinary glass. This makes it a preferred choice for schools, parking garages, and public areas where accidental impact may occur.
2. Weight
PC covers are significantly lighter than glass covers. In most cases, a PC cover weighs about half as much as a glass cover of the same size, making transportation and installation easier and more cost-effective.
3. Light Transmission
Glass covers generally provide slightly higher light transmission, typically around 88%–92%, while PC covers usually range from 80%–90%. However, modern high-quality opal PC covers can still deliver excellent and uniform lighting performance for most commercial applications.
4. Yellowing Resistance
Low-quality PC covers may turn yellow over time, especially under UV exposure. However, high-quality Anti-UV PC materials can significantly slow down this process. Glass covers naturally do not yellow, giving them an advantage in this aspect.
5. Protection and Sealing Performance
PC covers are easier to integrate into sealed fixture designs, which is why most IP65 LED bulkhead lights use PC covers. For outdoor and humid environments, they often provide more reliable waterproof performance.
6. Cost
Glass covers generally have higher material, transportation, and breakage costs. In contrast, PC covers offer a more economical overall solution, making them the preferred option for most commercial LED bulkhead lighting projects.
Why Are More Commercial Projects Choosing PC Covers?
Although glass covers offer advantages in light transmission and yellowing resistance, commercial projects often place greater importance on safety, protection performance, and maintenance costs.
As a result, schools, hospitals, apartments, parking garages, and other public facilities increasingly prefer PC covers. For premium interior decorative applications, glass can still be a good option. However, for most commercial projects, high-quality Anti-UV PC covers provide a better balance of durability, safety, and cost efficiency, making them the market's preferred choice.
FAQ
Will PC covers turn yellow?
Low-quality PC covers may yellow over time. High-quality Anti-UV PC can effectively reduce yellowing.
Is a glass cover always better than a PC cover?
Not necessarily. The best choice depends on the application.
Why do most IK10 bulkhead lights use PC covers?
Because PC offers much higher impact resistance than glass.
Which material is better for outdoor projects?
In most cases, high-quality PC covers are the better choice.
Which option is recommended for commercial projects?
Most commercial bulkhead lighting projects today prefer PC covers.
Luxsky Lighting offers a wide range of bulkhead lights with both high-quality PC covers and glass covers for different commercial and project applications.
If you are looking for reliable bulkhead lighting solutions, please visit https://www.luxsky-light.com/led-ceiling-lights/ for more details.
