Why Plastic Sheets Are an Ideal Glass-Substitute in Glazing Applications
Glass has been a traditional choice of material for use in applications that require high optical clarity/light transmission. In recent times, however, plastic sheets are increasingly being used as a replacement for glass. This trend can be attributed to the many properties of plastic sheets that lend themselves to use as a glazing material.
Read along to discover some of the top reasons why plastic sheets are a good glass-substitute.
Certain Plastic Sheets Deliver Higher Light Transmission Performance Than Glass
Although the optical clarity, brilliance, and transparency that plastics exhibit varies by product type, certain plastic sheet products, such as acrylic sheets, can deliver better optical clarity and light transmission than comparable glass panels.
Unlike regular glass, acrylic doesn't yellow or become discoloured at certain thicknesses. This means that optical clarity and light transmission aren't sacrificed no matter the thickness of a sheet product.
Plastic Sheets Are Safer and Last Longer Than Glass
While regular glass delivers incredible optical clarity and light transmission performance, brittleness is one of its major drawbacks.
Even the toughest glass products can break into shards when they are subjected to heavy impact. This can make glass unsafe and unsuitable for certain high-risk applications, such as greenhouse construction. Greenhouses generally need to be built with shatter-proof, impact-resistant light-transmitting material to minimise injuries from broken shards of material.
Plastic sheets are generally stronger and offer more chemical-, abrasion- and scratch-resistance than glass. This makes them a safer and more durable alternative to traditional glass.
Plastic Sheets Are Lighter Than Glass
Plastics aren't just stronger than glass – they also weigh only a fraction of the weight of comparable glass products. This quality makes them ideal for applications where lightweight structures are required.
Plastics can provide the high strength and optical clarity needed for a particular application while keeping the structural load on a structure at a minimum.
Plastic Sheets Can Be Cheaper Than Glass
In applications where high optical clarity is not a major concern, certain types of plastics can be cheaper to buy than traditional glass. The fact that plastic products are easier to transport and install than standard glass can lead to even greater cost savings.
Different plastic sheets have varied properties that may or may not render them suitable for certain applications. The best way to choose the best plastic product for your project is to discuss your requirements with an industry expert. Get in touch with a plastic fabricator near you today for further assistance.
Contact a plastic fabrication company to learn more.
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