From automobiles to boats to construction, plastic is becoming a frequent material for windows, and for a variety of good reasons. Plastic is light, easy to shape, and less likely to shatter than most glass. If you’re searching for a kind of plastic for windows, here are some of the options you might want to explore.
Glass has long been the most common material used in windows, having been used since Roman Egypt’s 30 BCE. However, times have changed. With the increasing use of plastics in today’s society, alternative materials for conventional glazing applications are now accessible and frequently more preferable to homeowners and businesses.
The advantages of utilising plastic rather of glass for windows:
- Plastic sheeting is less expensive, more insulating, and requires much less maintenance than other materials.
- Shatterproof — Shatters into small, harmless pieces and does not create dangerous shards. It is also 10 times stronger than glass and would never break into sharp, jagged shards.
- Colourful, fluorescent, black and white, and cut into distinctive forms are just a few of the designs available.
- It’s simple to operate: plastic, like wood, can be routed, scored, and cut on-site.
- Most plastic windows are half the weight of standard glass.
- The blades are made of polycarbonate, which ensures efficient reflection reduction. This material offers low-glare paint coats and offers good light transmission.
- Superior Transparency stays transparent regardless of sheet thickness.
- Improved thermal efficiency – multi-wall panels have a better insulating properties.
Acrylic Plastic Sheet
Acrylic is a popular alternative for windshields, drive-up windows, and other uses. It’s especially resistant to UV exposure, making it perfect for outdoor activities like vehicle and marine usage. Acrylic is a lightweight and flexible material that can be heated and molded. It won’t scratch as easily as glass and is simple to seal. Acrylic has the additional benefit of being a cost-effective plastic alternative.
Acrylic, particularly marine-grade plastic such as Piedmont Plastics’ Piedmont Marine Grade product, is very popular with boat windshield producers. It is resistant to impact and stress, so it will not break under the strain of the marine environment or during production.
Polycarbonate Sheet
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has been used for a variety of applications, including car windows. It is considerably lighter than glass and has excellent clarity. It resists shattering and breakage, even in demanding situations, much like acrylic does. It’s also simple to thermoform polycarbonate, making it possible to form any shape for the window, even if it is curved for aerodynamics.
Furthermore, polycarbonate is simple to tint and shade, allowing for windows to be tinted to keep occupants of a vehicle or building safe from heat and glare. Tinting plastic before installing it rather than adding a tinted film after installation is more cost-effective and easier, which is why polycarbonate is the material of choice for fabricators of camper shells and truck cap windows.
Simply Plastics can help you choose the right plastic sheet for your needs. Their knowledgeable sales representatives will assist you in selecting the acrylic, polycarbonate, or speciality sheet that is appropriate for your requirements to get the most out of plastics for your window applications.