Two popular styles are plexiglass and tempered glass, with the latter the least expensive, longest-lasting, most durable, and most aesthetically pleasing. Tempered glass withstands the test of time. Unlike plexiglass, its strength and durability eliminate scratches and cracks.
Regular glass is tempered and made by heating sand and other materials at high temperatures. Plexiglass on the other hand is made up of acrylic polymers. Because plexiglass is made using acrylic polymers, it has a relatively low melting point which cannot withstand high temperatures making it more prone to scratches.
Conclusion. Plexiglass is a well-liked material, but there are substitutes that might be just as good or even better. Considerable possibilities include polycarbonate sheets, PETG sheets, acrylic sheets, and polystyrene sheets.
A ¼-inch thick plexiglass sheet can run around $20-$30 per square foot, while glass of the same thickness might be around $8-$12 per square foot. Specialty glass like tempered glass can cost $25-$30 per square foot, putting it on par with plexiglass pricing.
Disadvantages. Tempered glasses have higher costs compared to plastic film screen protectors. They add to the overall thickness, as they themselves are thick in nature. Although they are durable, the tempered glass protectors can shatter in some extreme cases.
These issues can include glass breakage, deformation, insufficient tempering, and other quality problems that may arise during or after the tempering process.
Tempered glass has unbeatable strength, offers advanced scratch protection, and has greater impact resistance — but it can cost more. Plastic typically costs less, is resistant to breakage, and protects your screen from scratches, but doesn't offer the same strength or impact protection as tempered glass.
Polycarbonate plastic, often branded as LEXAN™, is an amorphous thermoplastic known for being virtually unbreakable. Polycarbonate offers very similar optical qualities to glass, but is 250 times stronger and significantly lighter.
Ultimately, the right window material depends on your climate, privacy needs, and budget. Glass is affordable and recyclable but shatters easily. Plexiglass withstands impact and resists inclement weather damage, but it scratches easily and costs more up-front.
Glass has about twice the density of plexiglass; a sheet of plexiglass weighs less than a sheet of glass of the same dimensions, so another benefit is easier handling and lower shipping costs. However, glass can be recycled cheaply numerous times.
More Expensive to Purchase – Compared to glass, plexiglass is the pricier of the two. That's because petroleum is used in its production so the cost of oil factors into the final cost of the product.
Plexiglass is just a brand name for acrylic sheets. It also breaks easily on impact or when cutting or drilling, and you should avoid using it in areas of high impact. The more popular choice is clear polycarbonate sheets which are over 10 time stronger and available in many thicknesses and sizes.
But how much does tempered glass actually cost? While the price can vary, you can typically expect to pay between $5 and $35 per square foot. This range serves as a starting point, as the final cost will depend on several factors specific to your project.
Acrylic has a much higher rating for impact resistance - roughly 17 times more - than even tempered glass and most incidents of wear and tear won't cause it to break or crack.
It can withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, and even the fiercest summer heat cannot damage the material: PLEXIGLAS® GS can be used at temperatures up to about 80 degrees Celsius and PLEXIGLAS® XT to about 70 degrees. Only at about 200 degrees Celsius does the material start to fuse.
A: You can order custom sizes through our special order program. Please see a Home Depot associate to place an order and have the product cut and shipped directly to your home. Helpful?
One of the best reasons to purchase acrylic plastic sheets over traditional glass is to remove glare and reflections. Plexiglass sheeting's clarity allows for more than 90% of light to pass through, making it more transparent than glass.
When you need a glass substitute, you're probably looking at either polycarbonate or acrylic. Both polymers offer the transparency of glass but are much more resistant to impact and scratching, and they're more cost-effective and lightweight.
Two popular styles are plexiglass and tempered glass, with the latter the least expensive, longest-lasting, most durable, and most aesthetically pleasing.
The cons of plexiglass is that it is more rigid and cracks easier than polycarbonate. It is also more likely to chip, which should be a consideration when being used in high traffic areas where aesthetics are a concern.
Gorilla Glass is a cutting-edge material built into many devices, prized for its durability, clarity, and slim profile. On the other hand, tempered glass is a reliable, cost-effective option that works well as a screen protector.
Laminated glass offers more soundproofing, energy efficiency, and ultraviolet light reduction than regular tempered glass. Laminated glass can stop or delay burglars from entering and is prized as commercial storefront and door glass.