Roofs have always played a critical role in building performance — structurally, thermally, and increasingly, operationally. As more services shift to the rooftop — from solar panels to mechanical plant — the need for safe, consistent access has grown. It’s not a trend; it’s a practical reality for modern building maintenance and compliance.

Whether it’s facilities teams servicing HVAC systems or contractors inspecting solar installations, reliable foot access across the roof surface is essential. But in areas where translucent sheeting is used to introduce natural light, this can become a hazard. Most skylight materials simply aren’t designed to be walked on — and that’s a problem.

Webglas GC® by Ampelite addresses this head-on. Designed and manufactured specifically for high-traffic roof zones, it offers genuine, certified trafficability — without the need for safety mesh or secondary walkways. It’s a safer, more efficient way to integrate natural light without introducing risk.

Edinburgh College Junior Learning, VIC. Credit: Kneeler Design Architects. Product: Ampelite Webglas GC Firecheck

100% Trafficable Roof Sheeting

Most of the time, dealing with translucent roofing in maintenance zones means adding mesh, walkways, cages — and then checking back in a few years to see what’s rusted out. It’s a stopgap solution that creates as many problems as it solves, especially in corrosive environments.

Webglas GC removes the need for all of that. Its construction — a heavy-gauge woven fibreglass mat, resin-infused and gel-coated for chemical and UV resistance — is engineered to bear human weight. No safety mesh, no overlay walkways, and no second-guessing. Just a single integrated sheet that does the job.

Webglas GC® also fully complies with Concentrated Load Tests as per AS1562.1: 1992 – Design and installation of sheet roof and wall cladding, Part 1: Metal. (This code is for metal roofing and is not required for plastic sheeting, however in the interest of safety Ampelite initiated the study). Tests were carried out by CSIRO Building, Construction and Engineering in accordance with AS4040.1: 1992, “Methods of testing sheet roof and wall cladding – Part 1. Resistance to concentrated loads”. Report DTS522 provides details of concentrated loads for various Webglas GC profiles over varying spans.

A solar panel array installed on a commercial metal roof with trafficable roof sheeting

Webglas GC has been on Australian roofs for over 25 years. That kind of track record is rare in this category. Ampelite doesn’t just claim performance — it has the historical data, warranty backing, and field results to prove it.

It’s available in common roofing profiles and translucent finishes like Ice Clear, Opal, and Cool-Lite. And unlike typical GRP skylights, it’s resistant to surface erosion, yellowing, and UV degradation. For corrosive zones — coastal, industrial, or chemical processing — it’s also available in GC+, an upgraded resin formulation offering even higher chemical resistance.

Fixings have been thought through as well. The PermaLok™ steel washer system is a smart detail that prevents water ingress and avoids the breakdown common in plastic-based washers. It’s small things like this that separate a product you can specify once — from one you’ll need to inspect regularly.

Ideal for Demanding Environments

One of Webglas GC®’s standout advantages is its performance in corrosive or high-maintenance environments. Whether it’s a chemical plant, wastewater facility, desalination plant or fertiliser depot, this sheeting holds up where traditional materials fail.

There’s even an enhanced version — Webglas GC®+ — with upgraded chemical resistance, making it suitable for extremely aggressive conditions where metal or inferior composites would rapidly degrade.

Webglas GC® is the only choice for harsh and corrosive environments.

A Smarter Choice for Safer Roofs

For projects that require frequent rooftop access — whether it’s a distribution centre, school, processing facility, or a solar-equipped warehouse — Webglas GC offers the rare combination of strength, compliance, daylighting, and long-term peace of mind.

When you’re dealing with roofing materials — especially translucent ones — safety and compliance aren’t things you want to improvise. Webglas GC is one of the few solutions that delivers strength, durability, and performance in a single integrated panel. For architects, specifiers, and builders, that means fewer compromises and fewer risks — both during construction and over the life of the building.

It’s not just about translucent sheeting anymore. It’s about specifying a product that’s engineered for people, not just for performance. With Webglas GC®, architects and builders can move forward with clarity — knowing that safety, durability, and design have all been addressed in one solution.

Build safer. Specify Webglas GC®.

Find Out More: Discover Webglas GC®