Safer: While clear plexiglass is strong, it can break with enough persistence or the right amount of force. However, unlike glass, acrylic plastic windows will not shatter into a thousand minuscule shards of sharp, dangerous glass. Easier to Use: Especially for an architectural project, glass is too brittle, rigid and heavy to use when creating unique, large-scale shapes and pieces.
On the other hand, plexiglass is made up of flexible polymers that render it easier to move, cut and install. Acrylic windows are ideal glass alternatives when your project includes several large windows.
Better Light Transmission: You might be surprised to learn that clear acrylic sheets are more transparent than glass. Furthermore, acrylic windows do not show glare and reflections. Unlike glass, acrylic does not become discolored as the sheeting thickness increases, making it a perfect alternative to glass windows. More Special Qualities: Acrylic sheeting is the most versatile type of plastic on the market!
Numerous special types of acrylic can be manufactured to meet customized needs, including mirrored, colored and fluorescent, abrasion-resistant, light-diffusing, anti-static, bullet-resistant, UV-filtering and many more options. Acrylic has even been used to make glass block windows. Clear polycarbonate plastic has an incredible level of impact resistance, but it is also just as clear as glass.
It provides a margin of safety that no other clear glazing material on the market can surpass. Their knowledgeable sales agents will help you choose between acrylic, polycarbonate, and speciality sheets based on your demands to get the most out of plastics for your window applications.
He is exciting and entertaining, but can also be very boring and a bit grumpy. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Switch skin Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. Compare with other projects. If you prefer simpler home improvement projects, applying plastic over windows may be a good DIY project for you.
Applying plastic over your window can prevent you from being able to open and close your mini-blinds. Seal Behind Window and Door Trim. Skip to main content. Homepage Header Search box Search. Energy Savings at Home Advice, tools, resources and inspiration to help you save energy. Questions to Consider. Does my home need this project?
Polycarbonate is less breakable and has much higher impact resistance than acrylic, although it is less scratch resistant. Polycarbonate glazing is used in solar applications because of its high impact resistance, thermal movement characteristics, and resistance to scratching, discoloration, and finally, for its solar transmittance. While polycarbonate has a reputation for yellowing under UV exposure, this can be controlled for 10 years or more with additives to the plastic formula.
Polycarbonate is also less flammable than acrylic. Some modified polycarbonate plastics come with a 5 to 15 year warranty against yellowing see excerpt below. One concern with interior storms in cold climates is the formation of condensation on the primary window caused by moist interior air leaking past the storm window and condensing on the cold primary glazing.
This is of particular concern with wood windows, where the condensation can drip down the glass leading to mold and decay of the original wood sash. Exterior storms, on the other hand, reduce condensation on the primary windows by warming the glass. Also, with exterior storms, condensation can be better managed by weep holes to the exterior. In lighting applications UV is a well known stressing agent of plastics - all transparent plastics will yellow under UV - but it is in many ways the most controllable.
Polycarbonate without a UV inhibiting additive will show strong yellowing upon exposure to natural and artificial sources of ultraviolet such as sunlight and HID lamps. High impact acrylic also yellows, though not to the same degree, and standard acrylic shows little UV induced yellowing. The use of a UV inhibitor in polycarbonate formulation reduces yellowing significantly.
Does yellowing present more than an aesthetically displeasing effect? Strangely, the data are split.
0コメント