Acrylic advantages and disadvantages that you need to know

29 Jul.,2024

 

Acrylic advantages and disadvantages that you need to know

Acrylic sheet is an excellent substitute for traditional glass for many purposes. This versatile type of plastic has numerous applications and it&#;s also much cheaper than standard glass. In this blog, we&#;re going to take a closer look at the advantages of using acrylic compared to traditional glass.

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It might sound surprising but moulded acrylic sheet is actually thirty times as strong as standard glass . This is because acrylic sheet is a form of plastic and has much greater flexibility. When moulded acrylic is being processed there is only a small risk of it breaking.

Advantage: 2 x as light as glass

Acrylic sheet or plexiglass is twice as light as standard glass, a feature that&#;s very handy when you want to use it for applications such as hanging an acrylic barn door.

Advantage: Acrylic sheet is cheaper

Acrylic sheet is also recommended to anyone who wants to save themselves some money. Acrylic is not only much cheaper than standard glass, but it&#;s also easier to cut it to size. At Plasticsheetshop.co.uk, we&#;ll cut it to size for you for free.

Advantage: processing is easier

Regular glass is at a very high risk of breaking when being processed but there&#;s no problem with acrylic sheet. Plexiglass or clear acrylic offers almost limitless options for processing. You can saw, mill, drill, engrave, glue, polish and bend ( with heat) these sheets.

Tip: Why not try your hand at making a DIY Plexiglass memo board? Use a whiteboard marker to write your to-do or shopping lists. Add a picture of each member of the family above and everyone can organise their schedule.

Advantage: Plexiglass is hardwearing

Acrylic sheet is very durable and will not weather or discolour. As long as you maintain it regularly, it will keep its good looks for years. Plexiglass has the same levels of thermal efficiency as standard glass. It&#;s also UV- and moisture- resistant and this is why acrylic sheet is perfect for exterior applications.

So You're Thinking About Installing Polycarbonate Roofing

Let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Polycarbonate roofing systems

So what is Polycarbonate Roofing?

Polycarbonate is a strong thermoplastic material that is lightweight, can withstand extremely temperatures (highs and lows), is relatively simple to install and is available in a multitude of colours and variants.

This durable and practical roofing material is perfect for conservatories, patios, and deck areas, but it&#;s not practical to cover the entire roof of a house.

Where is Polycarbonate Roofing used?

There are a variety of uses for polycarbonate roofing sheets that commercial and industrial applications can take advantage of. You can choose between clear polycarbonate, foam backed polycarbonate roofing, corrugated polycarbonate sheets, multi-coloured. Here is some information about the two available types and the advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate sheets.

 

Different Types of Polycarbonate Roofing

Polycarbonate roofing is available in many different forms - Flat, floam-backed, corrugated, clear, coloured... The choices are enormous. But which is best for your next project?

Let's take a closer look and explore the most popular Polycarbonate roofing sheet options.

Duote contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

  • Foam-backed Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

    Foam-backed Polycarbonate roofing is a lightweight option that is often used for industrial buildings such as factories and warehouses. The foam-backed nature of the sheets help to insulate the building, helping it stay warm in the winter. The protective coating helps reflect UV rays, keeping it cool in the summer. 

    Nowadays, it is becoming more common for homeowners to use Foam-backed Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets for carports, sheds, or other slightly sloped roofs due to its flexibility, appearance, ease of installation and thermal properties. 
     

  • Clear Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

    This type of roofing is often used in sun rooms, patios, and other areas that require natural light to be let in through the roof. Most roofing panels also come with a protective film layer to filter out the sun&#;s UV rays.

    In addition, clear Polycarbonate roofing sheets are available in hundreds of colours, allowing you to show your flair

 

Other Uses of Polycarbonate

Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs are perhaps the most readily recognised examples of polycarbonate in the wild. If you&#;ve ever tried to break the CD before throwing it away you will know just how tough it can be. Quality sunglasses that block UV rays also consist of polycarbonate lenses, making them high impact resistant.

 

Pros & Cons of Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

Benefits of Polycarbonate Roofing:
  • Polycarbonate sheets can be made to withstand huge forces and are virtually unbreakable. This is why they are used in the construction of bulletproof police shields.
  • The UV blockage is another huge advantage of these panels, making them the perfect material choice for constructing awnings in commercial buildings.
  • Polycarbonate panels are extremely light in weight, they can be easily transported and installed wherever they are required.
  • The excellent properties of polycarbonate panels make them the preferred material for building greenhouses.
  • Polycarbonate roofing panels are resistant to all four seasons - heat, sunlight, snow, and rain; Which enable Polycarbonate sheets to last for many years without fading, discolouring and distorting/deforming.
     
Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Roofing:
  • The biggest disadvantage is their high price - certainly higher than plastic or glass and as a result, customers opt for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is tougher, but not impact and heat resistant. Although ABS is cheaper and offers a good solution to consumers, it is only recommended for people who don&#;t need the extreme toughness of polycarbonate panels.
  • Although Polycarbonate is extremely strong, it is generally not scratch resistant and denting on the surface is possible if extra care is not taken.

 

Professional Polycarbonate Roofing Installation

Installing Polycarbonate roofing systems is quite straightforward, however, to avoid potential roofing disasters it is best to hire a professional roofers.

Morgan Asphalte are the leading providers of roofing services in the South East, offering repairs and renovations on a wide range of roofing materials.

Call us on 998  today to book your free consultation or drop us an at .

 

For more information, please visit Translucent Ceiling Panels.