Acrylic sheets are an excellent alternative to glass. Acrylic sheet steals the show with its performance as it beats glass in the following characteristics:
- Impact resistance.
- Weathering
- Strength
- Resistance to mould growth
Acrylic sheets are often chosen as a replacement material for mineral glass. Both of them are transparent materials, but they differ in properties and characteristics. Both of these materials serve the same purpose. We have listed down a few reasons why can acrylic sheets be used as an alternative to glass.
Impact resistance
Acrylic has higher impact resistance than glass. In case of any damage, acrylic will not shatter into small pieces but instead, will crack. Acrylic sheets can be used as greenhouse windows, playhouse windows, shed windows, perspex mirrors, clear table protectors, secondary glazing, aeroplane windows etc. as an alternative to glass.
Light transmittance
Acrylic sheets transmit up to 92% light, while glass can only transmit 80-90% light. As transparent as crystal, acrylic sheets transmit and reflect light better than the finest glass.
Environment friendly
Acrylic is an environment-friendly plastic alternative, with sustainable development. After the production of acrylic sheets, they can be recycled through a scrapping process. In this process, the acrylic sheets are crushed and then heated before being re-melted into a liquid syrup. Once the process is completed, new sheets can be made out of it.
UV resistance
Using acrylic sheets outdoors exposes the material to potentially high amounts of ultraviolet rays (UV). Acrylic sheets are also available with a UV filter.
Cost effective
If you are a budget-conscious individual, then you’ll be happy to know that acrylic sheets are an economical alternative to using glass. Acrylic sheets can be produced at half the cost of glass. These plastic sheets are lighter in weight and can be easily transported, which makes the shipping costs lower as well.
Easily fabricated and shaped
Acrylic sheets possess good moulding properties. When heated to 100 degrees, it can be easily moulded into several shapes including bottles, picture frames and tubes. As it cools down, acrylic holds to the formed shape.
Lightweight
Acrylic weighs 50% less than glass which makes it easier to handle. Compared to glass, acrylic sheets are extremely light to work with and can be easily transported from one place to another.
Glass like transparency
Acrylic possesses properties to maintain its optical clarity and takes a considerable period to fade. Due to its durability and optical clarity, most constructors prefer to opt for acrylic sheets to use as panels for windows, greenhouses, skylights and store-front windows.
Safety and strength
There might be several reasons you want superior-strength windows. Either you want it for security purposes or weather resistance. Acrylic sheets are 17 times stronger than glass, which means it takes a lot more force to shatterproof acrylic. These sheets have been formulated to provide safety, security and strength at the same time making glass look acrylic sheets great as a replacement
Over the years, the use of acrylic sheeting has surpassed glass in terms of versatility and multiple uses, which makes acrylic glass more economical, durable and practical alternative to glass.
