Plastic is becoming increasingly popular as a material for windows, with benefits that include lower weight, ease of molding, and less shattering than regular glass. Plastic is lightweight, simple to form, and less prone to shatter than other glass. If you’re looking for a type of plastic for your windows, here are some alternatives to consider.
Glass has been the most prevalent material for windows since Roman Egypt’s 30 BCE. Times, however, have changed. Alternative materials for traditional glazing applications are now accessible and increasingly preferred to homeowners and companies, owing to the increasing use of plastics in today’s society.
The advantages of using plastic rather than glass for windows:
- Plastic sheeting is less expensive, more insulating, and needs far less care than other materials.
- Shatterproof — Shatters into tiny, non-harmful shards and does not create hazardous shards. It’s also 10 times more powerful than glass and will never fracture into sharp, jagged pieces.
- There are several different colours, such as fluorescent, black and white, and custom cuts, among others.
- It’s simple to operate: plastic, like wood, maybe routed, scored, and sliced on-site.
- Plastic windows are often half the weight of comparable glass.
- The blades are composed of polycarbonate, which helps to minimise reflection. This paint’s low-glare colors and excellent light transmittance make it ideal for automotive applications.
- Regardless of the thickness of the sheet, Tint Transparency maintains transparency.
- Multi-wall panels have a higher thermal efficiency than solid walls.
Acrylic Plastic Sheet
Acrylic is a popular choice for windshields, drive-up windows, and other applications. Because it’s highly resistant to UV radiation, it’s ideal for outdoor activities such as automobile and marine usage. Acrylic is a plastic that is typically used in signs, mobiles, and other decor items. It won’t scratch as easily as glass and is simple to seal. Acrylic has the benefit of being a cost-effective alternative to glass.
Acrylic, especially marine-grade plastic such as Piedmont Plastics’ Piedmont Marine Grade product, is a favourite material with boat windshield providers. It’s impact and stress-resistant, so it won’t break from the pressure of the marine environment or while being manufactured.
Polycarbonate Sheet
A polycarbonate is a form of plastic that has been used in the manufacture of vehicle windows. It is significantly lighter than glass and has exceptional clarity. Acrylic is one of the most durable types of plastic available, and it even withstands severe conditions. It has some advantages over acrylic when it comes to shattering and breaking. Polycarbonate is also easy to thermoform, which allows you to create any shape for the window, even if it’s curved for aerodynamics.
Furthermore, polycarbonate is versatile in that it can be tinted or shaded easily, allowing for windows to be tinted to keep people inside a vehicle or building safe from heat and glare. Fabricators of camper shells and truck cap windows prefer polycarbonate for this reason, as it is less expensive and simpler to tint plastic before putting it in place rather than adding a tinted film after.
Simply Plastics can assist you in selecting the appropriate plastic sheet for your application. Their knowledgeable sales experts will help you select the acrylic, polycarbonate, or speciality sheet that is best suited for your needs to get the most out of plastics for your window uses.