Your Guide to Clear Acrylic Sheets

Today, we wanted to offer a comprehensive guide on what this product actually is. In our experience, people rarely understand the benefits that acrylic sheets offer. We are going to first define what the product is. We also want to outline some uses and key advantages, in the hope that you may make use of acrylic in your next project. 

The clear acrylic sheet is a fantastic and versatile product, with great strength and flexibility, suitable for a range of commercial, industrial and domestic applications. Continue below where we unpack this in more detail. 

Firstly, What Is a Clear Acrylic Sheet?

Known by the scientific name ‘polymethyl methacrylate’, clear acrylic sheets are a robust plastic sheet that has a broad range of uses. Some people may know them by the abbreviation PMMA, whilst other people will refer to them as perspex, which is actually a brand. In fact, they all refer to the same product! 

There are a number of reasons why transparent thick plastic sheets are so widely used. In some instances, they make a fantastic alternative to glass. They are highly flexible, making them more impact resistant than glass, and offer phenomenal weight savings. If you need to use multiple panes of glass for example, this can be exceptionally heavy.  

Acrylic sheets can be produced in a number of colours, but clear acrylic sheets are the standard off the shelf product. 

Where Are They Used?

This product is used in a huge range of industries, across a broad spectrum of applications. They can be beneficial in just about any commercial, domestic or industrial DIY project. 

Because they are more likely to splinter and crack than break, like glass, you may find manufacturers of glazing units and skylights opt to use a clear acrylic sheet. Being as transparent as glass, they are perfect for this application. 

Additionally, interior designers who require a kitchen splashback may opt for this budget friendly, glass alternative. 

Interestingly, you may even find acrylic used in specialist applications. Did you know that aircraft cabin windows are made using stretched acrylic? This is slightly different to the standard clear acrylic sheet, as it undergoes treatment to meet the safety requirements of flying at altitude. Still, it is a perfect example of how versatile and strong this product really is. 

The Advantages of Transparent Thick Plastic Sheets

There are a number of advantages to this product over glass, for example. Of course in some applications, glass or another alternative may be the preferred choice. Still, there are lots of applications in which an acrylic sheet can be a fantastic alternative. 

Firstly, they are UV and water resistant and offer the same transparency as glass. The versatility is really unmatched. Rightfully, you may be thinking that glass has those characteristics too. 

What you can enjoy with PMMA sheets over glass is huge weight savings. If you are working on a project in which you must keep the weight of the material to a minimum, this product can really shine. As previously mentioned, multiple panes of glass can be extremely heavy. 

Additionally, you can make substantial savings when using acrylic instead of glass. The installation of glass is not cheap, especially if you are working in volume. The clear acrylic sheet price is considerably lower, whilst offering similar levels of durability and flexibility. This is especially true if you consider the longevity of the product.

If safety is a chief concern, because of children or pets for example, acrylic is far more likely to crack and splinter than glass. It is also far less dangerous too. 

Are There Any Downsides?

There are a few things to note, which may make glass a better choice in certain applications. Firstly, glass is more scratch resistant. If you are trying to achieve a pristine finish, glass may be the preferred option. 

Moreover, glass is heat resistant. Whereas acrylic can contract and expand as a result of temperature changes, glass will stay the same. This makes glass a better material, generally, for the construction of windows, for example. 

Clear Acrylic at Sheet Plastics

We sincerely hope you enjoyed the following article and have a greater understanding of clear acrylic sheets. 

There are a number of benefits to be enjoyed with this product, and it can make a fantastic alternative to glass in certain applications. Ultimately, you need to consider the requirements of the project as it will not always be suitable. 

We have an outstanding range of acrylic sheets available, which are competitively priced and can be delivered in a range of sizes. If you have a project coming up and are unsure if this product will match your specifications, we encourage you to contact us. We are more than happy to guide you through our range and answer any questions you may have.