If you’re a contractor, office worker, or someone in the building trades, the chances are that you have seen acrylic glass sheets for sale. Materials can use these versatile materials to create anything from windows and doors to walls and roofs. They also come in many different shapes, such as squares and rectangles, making them easy to customize your home or business’s design.
Acrylic glass is lightweight but durable, so it won’t break if dropped on accident while installing it like other heavy-duty window materials might. It also doesn’t require any special tools for installation so that anyone can install it with just one hand tool! This post will cover all critical information related to these versatile products, including how they work best and their limitations.
What are Plexiglass Sheets?
The plexiglass sheets that are used in portholes on boats are also known as acrylic glass.
Acrylic is derived from several sources, including propylene and ethylene, but most commonly through an organic compound called acrylic acid. Plastic Sheet can make this type of plastic sheeting into Plexiglas by pressing it into thin, flat panels for industrial applications and consumer goods like house windows or aquariums.
The word “Plexiglas” comes from the words polymethyl methacrylate polymer (PMMA). Acrylic sheets have been around since 1941 when a substance was first invented. This substance replaced glass during World War II, so it could more easily mold into shapes such as portholes and plexiglass sheets.
Acrylic glass is a type of plexiglass sheet that reinforce with acrylic resin. This material was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Otto Rohm to create porthole windows for ships. Still, it wasn’t until 1940 when American chemist Roy Plunkett discovered how to make fibrous Plexiglas. Now we can use polymethyl methacrylate polymer (PMMA) panels as they are more commonly known today on things like our house windows or aquariums.
The difference between acrylic and plexiglass
Plexiglass is a trading name for polymethyl methacrylate polymer PMMA. But acrylic glass and plexiglass are both forms of Plexiglas.
Tempered Glass vs. Plexiglass
Tempered glass is more durable. Plexiglass can be broken or scratched, and Plexiglas is more susceptible to scratches.
Acrylic panels are less expensive than tempered glass, but they need a little maintenance when cleaning them with soap and water to avoid foggily.
Benefits And Uses Of Acrylic Sheets
- Acrylic sheets are lightweight but durable, so they won’t break if dropped on accident.
- Acrylic sheets have a clear, transparent finish that can withstand greater force than glass.
- Polymethyl methacrylate, or PMMA, is a specially-treated plastic that prevents it from fracturing at higher temperatures
- 17x the impact resistance of ordinary glass
- 50% lighter than glass and easily machined
- Acrylic is highly resistant to many different chemicals.
One of the most significant benefits is that while PMMA is more durable, it weighs 50% less than glass.
While acrylic is more affordable than glass, it remains ten times as impact-resistant. Fabricated in cast and extruded forms, the material can withstand temperatures over a broad range and is more resistant to weathering than glass or other plastics.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a material that will not shatter if impacted high or low and breaks into large shard-like pieces when broken. This property makes it an ideal candidate for applications like shower doors and dressing enclosures built for hockey rinks and ball fields. The severity can minimize the severity of the injury by being struck with shattered pieces of acrylic instead of glass shards are more prone to cause severe lacerations.
What are acrylic panels?
If you’re renovating a space, looking to improve an aquarium or building from scratch, take advantage of acrylic panels – they provide solid and sturdy material for any project.
Improve structure durability by reinforcing areas with all-purpose foam core panels. Acrylic and polycarbonate panels increase light transmission, resist odors, stains, and scrapes. Would you please browse our selection of materials to find the proper forum for the job?
How to choose your acrylic sheet
Choose the size that best suits your needs. There are two types of plexiglass sheets: clear and frosted/textured plexiglass panels. The texture is either etched on or printed onto one side of Plexiglas to give it a unique look and feel.
Clear acrylic panels used for industrial applications and consumer goods like house windows or aquariums (depending on thickness).
Indoor projects
Polycarbonate, light and easy to work with, is a popular material for DIY projects. For example, you might use it to cover tabletops and desk drawers or in aquariums for a stimulating effect.
In addition, if you will be removing the cover often or it may get removed when cleaning, a 3mm or even 4mm thickness will make it more durable.
Clear acrylic is an excellent choice for those who want a contemporary and lightweight replacement for glass. Available in many thicknesses, clear acrylic can create floating shelves by having it secured over the wall.
Acrylic sheets are a popular choice for splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms because it’s easy to keep clean, hygienic and long-lasting. Use a thickness of 5mm when tiling your walls, as the adhesive will show through on 3mm panels.
In most cases, 2mm acrylic sheets are durable enough to be used in applications that will not lie flat.
Garden furniture
Acrylic plastic is a durable material that withstands knocks and scrapes better than glass. It’s also shatterproof and impact-resistant, so you can assure your kids are safe when outdoors.
When planning out the garden, some measures should be taken when deciding what size acrylic panels to purchase. Are dishes and wine glasses being used or more oversized heavy items?
If you have minimal support below it, choose a minimum 8mm thickness to keep it stable. But if there is plenty of clearance underneath the acrylic, the thicker, the better.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is still a good choice for your project, but it may not be the best. Polycarbonate rates higher in scratch resistance than acrylic and has up to 20 times the impact strength of acrylic. Acrylic is a good choice if you want to enable light transmission, transparency, and aesthetic appeal.
Polycarbonate sheets are rigid panels used in many applications like tabletops, bathtubs, or portholes on boats. It’s also the perfect material for those looking to create an aquarium because it’s more scratch-resistant than acrylic sheeting while still being transparent (though not as much).
Aquariums need strong materials with high levels of impact resistance which polycarbonates have, and acrylic does not. Polycarbonates tend to break into larger pieces, unlike glass which tends to shatter, producing potentially hazardous shard-like fragments, making them ideal for use around children and pets alike.
Polycarbonate (PC) sheets have a thickness of 3mm or more. We recommend purchasing at least 3mm polycarbonate to provide adequate security if you’re replacing an old shed window. To ensure safety for your greenhouse windows, you may want that 4mm PC instead.
For 5mm thickness, the plastic panels are sufficient, and for the greater thickness, you may want to consider other support.
When considering the best acrylic thickness, remember that thinner acrylic sheets are often sturdy enough for smaller lightweight objects.
Persisting: if you’re buying a larger sheet, be sure to account for supports. The amount of support dictates the thickness (or weight) of the acrylic board you’ll need.
When choosing a sheet of acrylic, use the following table as a guide and opt for thicker acrylic if you’re unsure. This is especially important when using acrylic sheets that measure over one square meter; a 3mm thickness should be sufficient for anything up to 1.5 sq meters. Any more than 2 square meters require at least 4 millimeters.
Orange (UV) plexiglass sheets
There are many plexiglass sheeting options out there, and it can be hard to figure out what the best one is for your needs.
Orange plexiglass sheets are perfect if you’re looking for something that will stand up to UV light and prevent fading in outdoor applications.
They also offer an increased level of impact resistance compared with clear plexiglass panels because they have a thicker polycarbonate resin layer on both sides. It makes them more durable than other plexiglasses, as well as scratch-resistant and shatter-proof.
Best Acrylic Sheets For 2021
1. The Grafix Clear Craft Plastic .007 Thick Acrylic Sheet Review
Grafix Ultra Clear .007 Plastic Film is a versatile addition to your craft room! This ultra-clear surface is perfect for your upcoming projects. Creating 3D elements, embellishments, stencils, journals, and cards couldn’t be easier!
Use it with permanent markers, rubber stamps, and other mixed media ― the options are endless! Craft plastic protects art in books or journals and can be used as scrapbooks or craft gift wrap. It’s also an acid-free film that allows you peace of mind when framing and displaying your paintings or crafts.
Grafix Clear Craft Plastic is acid-free, making it perfect for book and journal making and framing. It is also safe to use around your artwork and photos. The ultra-clear surface makes it easy to see images through the very thick plastic, which means you’ll always get a perfect cut without any glare or distortion.
Cutting does not leave marks with other transparent adhesives because our material cuts easily with craft tools. Each Grafix Clear Craft Plastic sheet measures 12×12 inches in size, so they fit perfectly into most workspaces!
Pros
- It covers a multitude of crafts and hobbies
- Lightweight, shatterproof alternative to glass
- Comes in different thicknesses for various purposes.
Cons
- Thin sheets may not be sturdy enough to hold heavier objects.
2. The Source One 1/8 th Inch Thick Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet Review
It is lightweight and easy to shape or fabricate to be molded into a new form with ease. It is vital, harsh, has high impact resistance, and requires less maintenance than glass. The best choice for safety without sacrificing design is when using acrylic sheets in your next project.
As an unparalleled material of beauty, the 1/8″ thick Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet also increases visibility. It proves that any doorway transforms itself from something mundane to an adornment within seconds by installing some enclosures on its sides. Flexible enough to deform under pressure yet rigid enough for the material to resist scratches while not as heavy as old-fashioned glass, make this one excellent decision when you need a more robust window replacement material!
The acrylic sheets are the perfect solution for your transparent needs. Solid and durable with a high gloss finish, these plexiglass sheets will showcase your artwork or graphics beautifully without compromising their vibrant colors.
Cutting-edge material from 2017 with an exclusive 3rd party Amazon vendor. A 1/8 inch thick sheet that is more durable and clear than any other acrylic on the market. It comes in 12 by 24 inches or six by 12 inches which are the most popular sizes used for making safety covers for corner protection against loose dust and debris.
Pros
- Clear
- Sturdy surface best to display items
- High quality to withstand repeated use and is made in the USA
3. American Hawks Plexiglass Sheets 12 Pack
Acrylic sheets are the perfect material for a photo frame. Plexiglass sheet is flexible yet durable. You can easily bend, engrave, and cut the acrylic glass sheets according to your needs. The clear plastic sheet is sold by a dozen 12 pcs. Thickness is 0.03″. A clear acrylic sheet is a perfect thickness to work with. Acrylic sheets for Cricut maker are the perfect thickness to protect your photo frame. It’s also easy to work within various projects with lightweight. 12 pcs plexiglass sheets in this set. Thickness is 0.03″ (279 x 355 x 0.8mm).
Plexiglass sheets are fantastic for crafting projects, picture frames, and more!
- Acrylic sheets for crafts make a perfect glass alternative for printed signs, picture and poster frames, framed counter barriers, and pet balcony railing barriers.
- 11×14 plexiglass sheets are wonderful for crafting projects, picture frames, and more!
Pros
- Clear
- Transparent protection against dust and dirt
- Durable
Cons
- Thin sheets may not be sturdy enough to hold heavier objects
4. The Lexan Polycarbonate .030″ Acrylic Sheet Review
Lexan is a protective film on **BOTH** sides of an opaque sheet. This Lexan has one side with printing, and the other is frosted, making it hard to see the print. The polycarbonate material used in this sheet provides high/low-temperature resistance and enables thermoforming for no-warping capabilities. As a result, Plastics’ 2000’s Lexan Sheet can be used as window inserts under your home’s basement stairs or even as a sun blocker when you go tent camping! Contact us today if you have any questions about how this product can help you achieve your contracting needs.
This material type would be great for companies providing protective or other types of engineering services. Heavily used in the automotive industry, this complex and clear plastic will keep your worksite safe no matter what device you’re assembling. If you work with materials like polycarbonate at any point in the design or manufacturing process, this is an essential tool to have on hand!
*Warning: This sheet also comes with a coating that can transfer ink from one side to the other; take caution when using if intended as a part of documents/documents that need printing visibility.
Pros
- Flexible enough to deform under pressure yet rigid enough for the material to resist scratches while not being as heavy as old-fashioned glass, make this one excellent decision when you need a stronger window replacement material!
- A 1/8 inch thick sheet that is more durable and clear than any other acrylic on the market.
- It comes in 12 by 24 inches or 6 by 12 inches which are the most popular sizes used for making safety covers for corner protection against loose dust and debris.
Cons
- enough to hold heavier objects.
5. The Black Cast 0.118″ Opaque Acrylic Sheet
Perfect for prototyping, signs, photography, and more! You’ll get a high-impact-resistance cast acrylic sheet in black with a reflective gloss on both sides. This is easy to fabricate, thanks to its lightweight and robust material. With protective packing, it can be quickly shipped right to your doorstep, so you won’t have to go far!
AbleDIY black cast acrylic sheet 11.850 x 11.850 inches makes it possible to take your crafting, creativity, and ideas to the next level with a material that’s strong, lightweight, and highly impact-resistant.
This plastic is easy to work with because of its user-friendly properties and its availability to use. It can be used for all kinds of things, like prototyping. An example of this would be engineering or product design, as well as photography or signage. These are all things that your business needs to achieve its goals/objectives.
So whether you are looking for something practical in giving a new life to an old invention that might need upgrading or simply adding a touch of style through logos onto products like glassware are all possible because of this versatile material.
Pros
- Great for prototyping, signs, photography, and more!
- Lightweight but strong materials make it easy to fabricate due to its low cost.
- Protective packaging makes it great for shipping right on doorsteps without the need to travel far distances or worry about damages in transit.
- High-impact resistance cast acrylic sheet with a reflective gloss on both sides.
Cons
- The only downfall of this material is that it can be scratched easily by knives and other hard objects but still retains the advantages of being lightweight and strong to handle high pressure without bending or breaking.
FAQ Section
Conclusion
Acrylic sheets are an excellent option for the home and office because they’re lightweight but also durable. The clear, transparent finish is easy to clean, so it’s not susceptible to stains or other damage that might occur in an environment with dirtier conditions.
This material is 50% lighter than glass and easily machined, making it ideal for many uses, from shop windows to signage displays. If you want a product that resists thermal shock and impact while still cost-effective, this may be your answer!
