Plexiglass Window Advantages
Acrylic windows are being used more and more. Commonly known as Plexiglass, they have some useful qualities that offer conveniences and advantages whether you are purchasing prefabricated windows or doing it yourself. There are some drawbacks--such as susceptibility to scratching or melting from direct heat--that might make regular glass a better option. On the other hand, if you live near a playground, the fact that acrylic windows are very strong and resistant to breaking might outweigh that. In addition, for DIY purposes, acrylic windows are easier to handle.
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Shatter Resistant
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Plexiglass windows are far more shatterproof than glass of identical thickness. The amount of pressure it takes to crack an acrylic window is much greater than glass. When Plexiglass does break it does not shatter into dangerous shards as glass does. It is tough enough to withstand the occasional softball, and is good in active areas or around children.
Transparency
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Plexiglass allows more light in than glass--more than 90 percent. Glass allows about 80 percent of the light through. In low light areas such as under trees, where you might want all the light you can get, it is worthy of consideration.
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Easy to Work With
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If you are doing a project yourself, the ease of use of Plexiglass might be a big advantage. It is much easier to cut and doesn't need to be scored and cracked like glass. It is much lighter than glass, making large or thick panes easier to work with. Plexiglass, on average, weighs about half of an identically sized piece of glass.
Coatings
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Plexiglass can be coated with many of the same coatings as glass, such as a UV treatment. Anti-scratch coatings for Plexiglass have not been very successful.
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References
- Photo Credit window image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
