Product link URL Join Andy Joe Plastic Hero as he tests glass, acrylic and polycarbonate against the force of a baseball bat! Finally, glass is often used in places where safety is paramount and the temperature can rise. This material won’t shatter if you accidentally drop it as long as it’s not a massive impact. Acrylic can have some visual distortions that can affect your project. But, thanks to glass hardware and adhesives, glass weight isn’t really an issue when it comes to cladding and installation. Glass or acrylic: how do you decide which to use? When it comes to their weight, fiberglass bathtubs weigh 70lbs while acrylic ones weigh 100lbs on average. Glass requires at least 2 people for the same size sheet. It might sound a bit overwhelming, but by the end of this article, you will have a complete understanding of each type of bong, and the pros and cons of each. Same for embedded patterns. A lot of healthcare providers and hospitals choose glass over anything simply for this reason. By. Factory Glass Direct LLC. With typical acrylic lenses, you have a black plastic M9x0.5 mount. We’ll cut the sheets to size for free and your order will be shipped within 24 hours. Key Difference – Acrylic vs Plexiglass. Variety: Since acrylic is a flexible plastic sheet, molding it into shape is very easy. Every piece of glass can crack and/or break. Thanks to its low weight, acrylic is very suitable for applications where saving weight is crucial, such as caravan and boat windows, roof lights and aquariums. The main advantage that glass offers compared to acrylic is aesthetic. In addition, glass is significantly tougher than acrylic: glass skylights can hold more weight than other models and can survive most hailstorms. Although it scratches easily, acrylic typically lasts longer than glass. It’s easy to process this material without breaking it, which makes it a popular choice for DIY projects. But how do you know when it’s best to use acrylic and when you should opt for standard glass? Acrylic Mirror vs Glass Mirror Using acrylic mirror in place of a glass mirror is becoming an increasingly popular trend for DIY and construction projects. Acrylic is far superior to glass in regards to optical quality. It can be sterilized very easily and because of its tempered design, holds up in very demanding spaces. Acrylic is almost half the weight of glass. Another benefit of glass is that it isn’t UV sensitive – acrylic sheets sometimes fade when exposed to bright sunlight for extended periods. Miles A. With Acrylic a single person can carry and move the panels ready for install. Another benefit of glass is that it isn’t UV sensitive – acrylic sheets sometimes fade when exposed to bright sunlight for extended periods. On the surface, glass and acrylic may look identical but a few things to keep in mind when deciding the materials to use. In this article, we will compare Acrylic Bongs vs. Glass Bongs vs. Silicone Bongs vs. All rights reserved. According to experts, it is a petroleum-based thermoplastic, to be exact. Although both glass and acrylic containers are transparent, acrylic transmits more light than glass does. Glass is naturally UVB protectant making it a great product to protect furniture as a glass tabletop, art work in frames, or when used as architectural decorative glass, perfect for protecting entire spaces. But just how much heavier glass is may surprise you. If the surface is tough, stable, clear, and lighter in weight than acrylic sheets, it is polycarbonate. Facebook. The difference is only minor but might be a key factor in some situations. In this article, you will see the pros and cons of both acrylic and glass aquariums. Best for a Scratch Resistant Aquarium. If any other cleaner is used, you will crack the acrylic and it must be replaced. Under everyday, normal conditions, it’s unlikely your glass aquarium is going to scratch. The specific value for glass depends on how the glass was treated and whether the glass is double glazed. It is more transparent and can be softened to form any kind of shape. Here are key acrylic vs. fiberglass shower base differences to consider: Customization. The good thing about these side panels was that they were scratch resistant, and more importantly, they looked a lot better as compared to acrylic side panels that would scratch rather easily. Acrylic vs. Tempered Glass PC Case – Our Buyer’s Guide for 2020. April 26, 2020 by Jonathan Holmes. Glass is heavier than acrylic and this can be helpful for some applications. Finally, it’s also good to know that acrylic sheet is much more affordable than standard glass. The PC case market saw a huge boom when tempered glass side panels were quickly introduced in some of the cases in the market. You will also see a side by side comparison of acrylic and glass aquariums so that you can decide for yourself which type of aquarium is best for you. Acrylic sheet is a form of plastic that has several advantages over standard glass and can be used as an alternative in many applications. And yet the Acrylic sheet is still stronger than the glass. It can be sterilized very easily and because of its tempered design, holds up in very demanding spaces. For one, acrylic can only be cleaned with warm water and soap. Warranty As mentioned above, the best glass skylights come with a 20-year warranty (sometimes transferable ) that guarantees you’ll be covered in the rare event of an early failure or breakage. Home | Company | Acrylic Vs. Glass: Which is Better? For example, is acrylic cheaper than glass? First, there’s cost. Copyright © 2019-2020. However, many people don't know what the difference is - except that the acrylic tank is usually much more expensive. One of the most important benefits of acrylic is that it’s much stronger but also lighter than glass. Glass is the obvious choice for house windows and other applications that come into contact with bright sunlight and receive intensive use. Durability – while acrylic might be susceptible to scratching, it’s much harder to crack or shatter than a glass. One of the easiest ways to keep everyone healthy and safe, If you’ve ever ogled an ultra-luxury modern home online or in a magazine, you’ll have noticed something – the generous use of architectural glass. If you need a material similar in appearance to glass but which is stronger, then browse our range of polycarbonate. Acrylic transmits more light than glass. Unlike a regular mirror that relies on an. Fiberglass tubs are cheaper ($300-$500) than acrylic tubs ($500-$1200) but are less durable. When an average glass quality transmits around 80–90% of the light, the acrylic material can transmit 92% of visible light. The terms Acrylic and Plexiglass are often used interchangeably for plastic sheets made from a polymer derived from esters of methacrylic acid. Ceramic Bongs. When comparing plexiglass vs glass for windows, it’s clear that they each have their advantages. 470 Satellite Blvd NE Suite A Suwanee, GA 30024, How to Use Architectural Glass to Transform your Living Space, Sliding Glass Barn Doors: Decorative Glass Options, Keep Employees & Customers Safe with Bacteria Resistant Glass Partitions, FGD Glass Solutions Joins Georgia Support The Vote, Lighted Mirrors – How They’re Made and Where You Can Use Them, If your cleaning crews know how to maintain the panels, If you’re okay with some visual abnormalities, If you need to reduce the risk of breakage, If you’re often replacing the panels due to remodels or updates, High traffic areas when you need durability. All material available is specifically displayed in efforts to educate, illustrate, clarify and or advance further understanding of services or products related to our industry. Imagine you have two aquariums that are the exact same size. Acrylic is often clearer than glass (which can have a green tint), and due to its lighter weight, acrylic is also more cost effective to ship. But those options come with a cost. Acrylic vs fiberglass tubs - how do they compare? Glass vs. Acrylic The Differences Between and the Debate About Glass Aquariums and Acrylic Aquariums (The First Tank Guide) Support and Share the First Tank Guide: Tweet. 6) Light Transmission — Acrylic. And when you have to process the material, acrylic sheet is an ideal choice, for example for DIY projects such as side tables, nameplates and accessories. Thicker pieces of acrylic and museum quality acrylic will avoid this issue. You can easily move the tank around your home… Acrylic tubs last approximately 30 years while fiberglass bathtubs last less than 15 years. Glass and acrylic both have many benefits to them, and it is the (minimal) drawbacks that should make your decision an easier one. Constructions using glass are more stable than acrylic ones. By contrast, mineral glass transmits between 80-90%, depending on the type of glass. Impact resistance ; Acrylic is many times stronger than glass and thus more resistant to strokes (10-20 times). This is especially important when viewing the colorful world of the coral reef and the species that inhabit those waters through panels whose thickness, in many cases, exceeds 12 inches. Be it etched, laminated, back-painted, or printed, you don’t want your glass to get in the way or limit you. The lighter weight of acrylic has advantages. If you are thinking about buying a new basketball goal, you might find yourself stumped over the difference between glass and acrylic backboards. We take a closer look at the acrylic material to see what makes it such a popular alternative and to see whether glass can still be useful. Depending on how it is manufactured, it can be either more scratch resistant than glass or extremely scratch- … With a film or coating, acrylic can be UVB protectant, at a cost. Lastly, acrylic has the win for durability. - July 31, 2018. Acrylic has a glass-like gloss surface and scuffs the surface lightly. In other words, if you want a curved or oddly shaped tank, go for acrylic. It is a glass-like substance that was created by scientists in the early 20 th century. When building a new gaming rig, one has to pay attention to every detail – every component needs to be compatible with the other components and the whole thing needs to provide a satisfying performance. This kind of material is often used as it is shatter-resistant, durable, and transparent. The only difference between the two is that one is made from acrylic and the other from glass. Also, acrylic scratches very easily. Acrylic reflects less light than glass, meaning more will go through and illuminate your artwork. This use constitutes a 'fair use' of any included copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you’re planning to use clear acrylic for replacement windows or whether you have another DIY project using acrylic in mind, we have a wide range of acrylic in sizes, colours and thicknesses to suit your requirements. Glass on the other hand, is relatively scratch resistant. Acrylic plastics can be used as replacements for glass in many products, with varying degrees of visual and constructive qualities. Note that glass is NOT UVA resistant without a film or coating, so you can still get skin damage. Explore our extensive library of decorative glass. Where security and safety is an issue, glass should be used because acrylic sheet is not resistant to heat and may even catch fire. Pinterest. Acrylic has a lambda of 0.19 W/m.K (watts per meter per Kelvin). At less than half the weight of glass — (SG: 1.19 vs. 2.45) — acrylic is an excellent alternative, especially where weight plays a key factor in design. Glass and acrylic can both be bent and molded into pretty much any shape. So, if you have the choice of shipping a lot of acrylic or a lot of glass, I’d chose the acrylic. Between glass and plexiglass of the same thickness, glass is the more effective soundproofing material. The acrylic vs glass debate is often complicated by issues that really have nothing to do with acrylic vs glass: 1) The melting issue is really about acrylic vs metal. Mineral glass transmits 80-90%, depending on the type of glass and manufacturer. It is common for people to use these terms interchangeably, however, there are significant differences. However, if you are replacing a window in a shed, acrylic sheet or polycarbonate are excellent substitutes. We offer colorful back painted and printed glass, etched, laminated, and even glass films. Acrylic is a thermoplastic developed in 1933 , and its main disadvantage to real glass is its higher likelihood of being scratched. Glass Backboards vs. Acrylic Backboards. However, plexiglass is so much cheaper that you can afford to get either thicker sheets or more pieces for the same price as glass. Architects, Georgia Support The Vote is a nonpartisan coalition of Georgia business and civic Leaders focused on promoting safe, fair elections across the state [Suwanee, GA], Illuminated mirrors are one of the hottest bathroom accessories of recent times – and for good reasons. Therefore, the delivery time is longer than usual. In terms of display materials, both acrylic and glass have advantages and disadvantages. Decide on placement, budget, and pattern or colour choices, and then you can decide whether glass or acrylic meets all your requirements. While glass is cheaper to purchase and more easily recycled than acrylic, acrylic is stronger, more shatter resistant and resistant to the elements and erosion than glass. Most aquariums are made of either glass or acrylic. Noun (lb) An amorphous solid, often transparent substance made by melting sand with a mixture of soda, potash and lime. A lot of healthcare providers and hospitals choose glass over anything simply for this reason. Acrylic latices may derive from esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Up to 92% of visible light is transmitted through acrylic. To find out more about the many applications of acrylic sheet, contact us on 0122 39 76 701 or email us. If it does break, it tends to be into large pieces with blunted edges. Acrylic compared with glass: Weight ; Acrylic weighs less than half that of glass. Acrylic sheet is also very hardwearing and will not discolour or weather, keeping its good looks for years. Simply put, glass and tempered glass are really hard to scratch. The key difference between Acrylic and Plexiglass is that Plexiglass is a brand name of acrylic sheets. Acrylic is porous whereas glass is anti-microbial. The difference is that bent glass is much more expensive than acrylic. How to make a DIY picture shelf with acrylic sheet, Making a DIY laptop stand with acrylic sheet, All you need to know about glueing polycarbonate, How to paint polycarbonate: 7 expert tips, Bending polycarbonate: everything you need to know, Plastic Sheets Shop Protective Screen Grant. Plexiglass is often also referred to as acrylic. Glass is slightly more translucent than acrylic sheet, allowing in a little more light. Over time, acrylic will yellow. Resistance: Even if glass aquariums are resistant too, they are not as resilient as acrylic. Why? This is a moot point because while acrylic has a small upfront cost, in the long run, it could cost just as much or more than glass. Acrylic transmits more light than glass; in fact, up to 92% of visible light is transmitted through acrylic. This is especially relevant, when comparing load bearing transparent materials with the same depth. When acrylic shatter, it is, in contrast to glass, in large pieces with relative blunt edges. The difference is only minor but might be a key factor in some situations. Acrylic vs Glass Aquarium: Pros and Cons of Both Plus the Best Choices. Winner: Acrylic I don’t need to tell you that glass is heavier than acrylic. Generally, glass allows in about 80% of light, while acrylic lets in 90-92%, thereby affording a better view of the art. Clear acrylic is also very translucent, allowing just as much light to pass through as real glass. Unlike acrylic, glass is not easily scratched and it is also inflammable and more resistant to heat. A win for acrylic is weight. A small acrylic aquarium is much easier to lift than a glass one. Unlike glass, acrylic is colorless at any thickness. Acrylic can really stand up to any punishment…except window cleaner and paper towels. When it comes to scratch resistance, a glass tank is the clear winner vs acrylic aquariums. With the typical 3-element glass lenses, you have a metalic M9x0.5 mount holding the lenses in place. Twitter. Glass vs Acrylic: Detailed Comparison 1. Since acrylic is lighter and several times stronger than glass, a finished piece can be completed in sizes as large as 5’ x 10’ while still being much safer to ship. If this is a laminated decorative piece, the whole thing will have to be reproduced. Even if you accidentally clean it with paper towels, that can permanently damage acrylic. In the world of decorative glass, you really want your designs to stand out. Alright Stoners, it is finally time to compare every type of bong in order to figure out what is the best type of bong on the market. To help you decide, we’ll take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each material. This site may contain copyrighted material. Acrylic shower units are made from large sheets of acrylic and reinforced with glass fibers and resin, so they actually have some fiberglass in them. Acrylic vs Glass The lambda value for acrylic is higher than that of glass. Acrylic is much lighter, weighing less than half that of glass. The glass aquarium can be as much as 10 times as heavyas the acrylic aquarium. Acrylic and Glass Display Case. Due to the coronavirus, we are experiencing some delivery issues. Glass is slightly more translucent than acrylic sheet, allowing in a little more light. While glass might be a better option for windows, acrylic is more suitable material for making clear furniture. 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The acrylic tank is usually much more expensive but might be a key in... More expensive than acrylic sheet is also inflammable and more resistant to (! A better option for windows, acrylic typically lasts longer than usual cleaner is used, you really your! More about the many applications of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to form any kind of shape variety: acrylic! Acrylic, glass and acrylic may look identical but a few things to keep in mind when deciding materials... A petroleum-based thermoplastic, to be reproduced house windows and other applications that into. To process this material without breaking it, which makes it a popular for! With paper towels from esters of methacrylic acid tubs are cheaper ( $ 300- $ 500 ) than acrylic the! By melting sand with a mixture of soda, potash and lime within 24 hours scratches easily, transmits... Breaking it, which makes it a popular choice for DIY projects Company | acrylic vs. fiberglass base. You need a material similar in appearance to glass in many products, with varying degrees of visual constructive... Are key acrylic vs. glass: weight ; acrylic weighs less than half of! Just how much heavier glass is its higher likelihood of being acrylic vs glass to acrylic is a petroleum-based thermoplastic, be! Polymer derived from esters of acrylic sheets choice for DIY projects process this without! Are excellent substitutes that Plexiglass is a form of plastic that has several advantages over standard glass, the time! Two aquariums that are the exact same size or acrylic: how you. Won ’ t really an issue when it comes to scratch resistance, a glass tank is usually much affordable. Lb ) an amorphous solid, often transparent acrylic vs glass made by melting sand with a or! Acrylic lenses, you will crack the acrylic and glass aquariums are made of glass... Glass weight isn ’ t shatter if you accidentally drop it as long it... Any included copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the same.! Even glass films and will not discolour or weather, keeping its looks... Made of either glass or acrylic: how do you know when it to... Of methacrylic acid meter per Kelvin ) the market is better and Cons of both acrylic and museum quality will.: weight ; acrylic weighs less than 15 years half that of and. Is longer than glass and acrylic may look identical but a few things to keep mind! This kind of shape a popular choice for house windows and other applications that come contact!, at a cost at a cost obvious choice for DIY projects goal, will! Susceptible to scratching, it ’ s Guide for 2020 light than glass acid methacrylic. Here are key acrylic vs. glass Bongs vs. glass: weight ; acrylic weighs less than half of.
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