Acrylic Windows vs Glass Windows - Some features you don’t know

Acrylic glass is often chosen as an alternative for laminated glass. Both Acrylic and laminated glass are transparent building materials which withstand high pressures and can be used for applications like aquariums in marine museums and yacht windows.

Acrylic is a monolithic material made of organic substance, hence its nickname "organic glass". Plexiglas is a popular brand name for acrylic. Another one is Perspex©.

Laminated glass is made of several layers of mineral glass (also called flat glass, Borosilicate glass or "Echtglas"- real glass, in German). These sheets of glass are separated by transparent liners which are fused together. This makes them particularly strong and prevents inclusions. The materials used for the liner are PVB & SGP. Nowadays SGP is chosen for most applications, because of its hydrophobic properties.

Looking at different physical aspects we want to compare the performance of the two materials.

Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of acrylic is lower than that of laminated glass. In other words the thermal insulation of acrylic is better than of laminated glass.

Material Insulation

Air 0.03 W/mK

Acrylic 0.19 W/mK

Water 0.57 W/mK

Glass, Laminated 0.79 W/mK

Implications on Pool Underwater Windows:

No condensation

less heat loss of the pool water

better insulation of heated buildings

Flat window aquarium：

Name	Size	Thickness	Other details
Aquarium performance           large window	18713*4800mm	330mm	35570kgs
Shark pond	6300*3350mm	200mm	5065kgs

Curved window aquarium：

Name	Size	Thickness	Other details
Arc window of Xuzhou Aquarium	20*2.8m	180mm
	13.417*2.96m	200mm
	10.4*2.96m	160mm
	6.3*2.96m	160mm

Optical Transmission

Acrylic window transmits more light than glass window. Up to 92% of visible light is transmitted through acrylic. Mineral glass transmits 80-90%, depending on the type of glass and manufacturer. This is especially relevant, when comparing load bearing transparent materials with the same depth. These windows are usually several centimeters thick, which makes differences in the optical transmittance particularly noticeable. Bullet proof glass is a well known type of load-bearing glass and transmits, similarly to other types of mineral glass, a white- to green-type of light. This phenomenon is not observable with Acrylic.

(Update September 08, 2014: Optiwhite is a laminated glass with improved optical transmittance. This is achieved through the addition of iron oxide compounds, which improve the quality of the glass. Optiwhite glazing can withstand pressures of up to 0.1 bar . This means that Optiwhite is only suitable for very small, shallow Underwater windows.)

Shattering and Cracking

Acrylic window has a higher impact strength than glass window and does not shatter when exposed to high strains. Shattering into small, blunt chunks is desirable for applications in which tempered glass is used, e.g. in automobiles.

However, shattering is not desired for the use of glazing underwater. The crack resistance is especially valuable, when large underwater windows are craned into their location. The installation of large and heavy glazing bears a certain risk for the installation company when using laminated safety glass. Point loads while hanging on the crane or due to uneven seating might lead to material failure. Acrylic is more tolerant to these forces and rather flexes then breaks. Acrylic's high impact strength, durability and applicability make it the ideal material even when human lives are at stake. Therefore acrylic is used in deep sea submarine windows.

Polycarbonate is also a great, shatter-proof material.

Weight

Acrylic window  has a lower density than glass window, which can range from 1150-1190 kg/m³. This is less than half the density of glass which ranges from 2400 to 2800 kg/m³. Transportation and assembly of acrylic building materials is consequently easier and cheaper.

UV Resistance

Using acrylic window outdoors exposes the material to potentially high amounts of ultraviolet radiation (UV). It is a common misconception that UV rays lead to the yellowing of acrylic glazing. This might be true for low quality acrylic. Leyu acrylic and other well known brands are immune even against high UV radiation. Up to 30 years are guaranteed by the manufacturer.

Safety glass window consists of multiple layers of mineral glazing, separated by plastic laminate. Normal plastic laminates are not resistant against UV and are especially sensitive to humidity.

Scratch Resistance

The surface of acrylic window is softer and more easily scratched than mineral glass. It is advised to check the acrylic cleaning guidelines in order to prevent abrasive or chemical damage. It is easy to polish acrylic in order to remove blemishes. Scuffed mineral glass window would on the other hand need to be completely replaced.

Conclusion

Float glazing window is less transparent then acrylic window.

Float glazing, safety glazing and tempered glass window is inferior in bearing structural loads and might shatter.

Safety glazing window tends to delaminate when used under water.

UV might be a problem for safety glazing window.

There are view cases where safety glazing window is a viable option, but in the vast majority of applications acrylic window has proven to be superior when used for underwater.

Why choose acrylic Windows?

Acrylic acid, commonly referred to as Plexiglass, plexiglass, and PMMA, is a versatile plastic material. Here are the main benefits of using Plexiglass as a glass alternative:

Light weight:

acrylic (plexiglass) plastic weighs about half as much as glass and is easier to move and use.

Cost effective:

Acrylic is usually cheaper than glass, especially for thicker sheets. This is very beneficial for DIY projects on a tight budget.

Durability:

Acrylic sheets are strong - in fact, they are 17 times stronger than glass. Acrylic mirrors are also more durable than traditional glass mirrors.

Features:

Since acrylic can be cut, drilled, bent, joined and more all at home, it is a better DIY material - especially for those who are inexperienced!

Child safety:

Acrylic is shatter-proof, which means that, if it does break, the plastic will break into a few large, blunt pieces, rather than the many small, sharp pieces like glass. Acrylic is also very hygienic and can be wiped straight off.

Insulation:

When it comes to keeping your home warm, acrylic is a better choice than glass because it has a better ability to hold heat.

Impact resistance:

Acrylic is much lighter than glass, but it is also much more impact-resistant. This means that it is a good choice for areas where materials can be hit, such as fish tanks, Windows, etc., in various large aquariums.

Why choose glass window?

Clarity: Making it ideal for applications where undistorted visibility is crucial, like windows, picture frames, and display cases.

Durable and Heat Resistant:

Glass is naturally strong and scratch-resistant. So, it can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for surfaces with fluctuating heat, like greenhouses or near ovens.

Weight:

Glass is heavy and while this adds stability to structures, it can sometimes make it more challenging to handle and install, especially for larger pieces.

Cost:

Glass can also be more expensive than acrylic, particular for thicker sheets.

Where to use acrylic (Perspex) glass?

Now we’ve covered the perks of acrylic sheets, it’s worth thinking about applications. These are just some of our top uses of acrylic - more can be found online and across our website.

Glazing:

As we have already mentioned, acrylic is a great insulator, that’s why we recommend using this plastic for replacing broken greenhouse glazing panels, as well as for secondary glazing throughout your home. Click here to find out more about how to keep your home warm with secondary glazing.

Framing:

Acrylic is as clear as glass, which makes it the perfect material for picture frames. As it is more durable, acrylic and Perspex glass both ensure that your artwork or photos are protected!

Mirrors:

Not many people know that acrylic is available with a mirrored finish too. Acrylic plastic mirrors are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors and, like any other plastic sheet or product, can be cut to any size or shape!

Splashbacks:

Giving your kitchen a new lease of life doesn’t have to be expensive. The easiest way to completely remodel your kitchen is with a fitted splashback. Traditionally, consumers may have opted for metal, glass, cork splashbacks or tiles, but Perspex plastic is the cost-effective alternative. With a plastic splashback, installation is easy and grout-free!

Table Tops:

Protecting your furniture and tabletops from spills, scratches, and other damage has traditionally been done with glass covers, but clear acrylic covers do the job even better! As acrylic is lighter weight and shatterproof, plastic furniture protectors are a lot easier to install than their glass counterparts.

Protective Screens:

Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic we have all gotten used to new restrictions such as social distancing and mask-wearing. As the country begins to reopen, the government’s Health and Safety Executive has recommended installing Protective Screens as a physical barrier against the transmission of pathogens. Acrylic is the perfect material for sneeze screens and guards as it is easy to wipe clean and transport. Protective Screens are available in a range of sizes on our website, including cut-outs - find out more today and click here.

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