Why Polycarbonate Windows

Should you upgrade your glass windows for polycarbonate?

If you’re building a track car, a competition-ready machine, or just a serious performance project, upgrading your glass to polycarbonate windows is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s not just about saving weight—it’s about improving safety, installation flexibility, and long-term durability under real-world racing conditions.

Let’s rewind for a moment. Early vehicles were fitted with plate glass in the windscreens and side windows. It kept the weather out, but it shattered dangerously in a crash, turning sharp shards into a serious risk. Eventually, laminated safety glass came in—designed to hold together when cracked and now used as standard in every road-going car.

But once you’re off public roads and into motorsport, the rules change. Laminated glass is heavy. Brittle. Slow to swap out. And in many series, it’s not even legal. That’s why polycarbonate has become the go-to for drivers who want a tougher, lighter, race-ready alternative.

What are polycarbonate windows?

Polycarbonate is a transparent thermoplastic that’s been used in high-stress environments for years—from riot shields and construction vehicles to aircraft glazing. In racing, it delivers everything you need: high strength, low weight, and greater flexibility.

It’s over 200 times more impact-resistant than glass and roughly 30 times stronger than acrylic. It’s also significantly lighter—helping lower your car’s centre of gravity and reduce overall weight, which improves acceleration, cornering, and stopping distances.

Unlike Perspex, polycarbonate won’t crack under pressure. It holds its shape, shrugs off gravel and debris, and resists heat and UV exposure—making it ideal for long stints in the sun or sustained high-speed driving.

What benefits do polycarbonate windows offer?

Replacing factory glass with polycarbonate gives you two major gains: weight savings and practicality. You're not just swapping out a pane—you’re removing window regulators, motors, rubber seals, and wiring. That’s a lot of unnecessary mass gone.

We design our front door windows with quick-release pins, so you can take them out in seconds between runs. Handy for venting the car on hot days or keeping dust out during transit. They’re not fully waterproof at the edges, but they’re far better than open frames.

And if you’re chasing airflow or fine-tuning cabin cooling, you can spec our windows with sliding vents or NACA ducts. That’s better ventilation with proper control—and a sharper, more motorsport-focused look.

Thinking about making your own DIY polycarbonate windows?

Some builders go the DIY route—cutting polycarbonate sheets to match their old glass. But in reality, it’s not that straightforward.

Getting an accurate template is tricky unless you’ve done it before
Cutting polycarbonate cleanly without clouding or melting takes proper tools
Sheets are usually sold in 4x8ft sizes, which means waste—and more cost—for one-off projects

Our take? If it’s going on a race car, go with a kit that’s already been designed to fit. No guesswork. No wasted material. Just windows that install cleanly and perform well straight out of the box.

Why use professional polycarbonate windows?

We’ve been working with plastic glazing for over 40 years, and everything we make is cut and finished right here in our UK factory. That means proper quality control, quick turnaround, and real motorsport know-how behind every product.

We offer 4mm polycarbonate as standard, which meets Motorsport UK regulations, and 5mm options for FIA compliance. You can choose from clear, bronze, or grey tints—and add sliders or vents depending on your needs.

Whether you're building a full-spec competition car or a stripped-down track toy, our polycarbonate windows give you strength, flexibility, and a proper performance edge.

Windows built for racing

Browse our product ranges:

Looking for windows?
Lightweight impact resistant polycarbonate racing windows for all major vehicle brands and models, available in full kits or individually.
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Need a slider kit?
Our easy retro fit window slider kits are the essential addition to your racing windows with standard and advanced kits available.
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Replacing mud flaps?
Browse our range of mud flaps available in a range of of colours to find the right under belly protection for your rally car's look.
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