Acrylic plastic, also known as plexiglass, is a useful, clear material that resembles glass. So what’s the difference between acrylic and standard glass?  We need to know acrylic advantages and disadvantages.

Acrylic sheet is an excellent substitute for traditional glass for many purposes. This versatile type of plastic has numerous applications and it’s also much cheaper than standard glass. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at the advantages of using acrylic compared to traditional glass.

The main advantages

  • 30x as strong as glass
  • 2x lighter than glass
  • Less expensive
  • Easier to work with
  • Durable
  • More translucent
  • Safer than glass

The main disadvantages

  • More liable to scratching than glass
  • Not heat-resistant

Advantage: 30 x as strong as glass

It might sound surprising but moulded acrylic sheet is actually thirty times as strong as standard glass. This is because acrylic sheet is

a form of plastic and has much greater flexibility. When moulded acrylic is being processed there is only a small risk of it breaking.

Advantage: 2 x as light as glass

Acrylic sheet or plexiglass is twice as light as standard glass, a feature that’s very handy when you want to use it for applications such as hanging an acrylic barn door.

Advantage: Acrylic sheet is cheaper

Acrylic sheet is also recommended to anyone who wants to save themselves some money. Acrylic is not only much cheaper than standard glass, but it’s also easier to cut it to size. At Echo Plastic, we’ll cut it to size for you for free.

Advantage: Processing is easier

Regular glass is at a very high risk of breaking when being processed but there’s no problem with acrylic sheet. Plexiglass or clear acrylic offers almost limitless options for processing. You can saw, mill, drill, engrave, glue, polish and bend ( with heat) these sheets.

Advantage: Plexiglass is hardwearing

Acrylic sheet is very durable and will not weather or discolour. As long as you maintain it regularly, it will keep its good looks for years. Plexiglass has the same levels of thermal efficiency as standard glass. It’s also UV- and moisture- resistant and this is why acrylic sheet is perfect for exterior applications.

Disadvantage: Acrylic sheet is more sensitive to scratches

One disadvantage of plexiglass is that it scratches more easily than standard glass, so it’s important that you maintain and clean it correctly.

Disadvantage: Acrylic is not resistant to heat

Acrylic sheet should never be used for safety applications such as windows in trains and buses. This is because acrylic panels aren’t heat resistant. If you need a substitute for standard glass that will withstand high temperatures, opt for clear polycarbonate.

Acrylic advantages and disadvantages

After reading the above, you already know the difference, now you are able to choose according to your use. If you have any other questions, welcome to contact us.