Long considered unbeatable, glass has nevertheless found a serious competitor: acrylic, also known as plexiglass. This material, which is lightweight, durable, and versatile, is now making its mark in numerous fields, from architecture to decoration, and interior design. But why is it so appealing, to the point of competing with traditional glass?
Glass has been associated with clarity and nobility for centuries. However, acrylic (or plexiglass) has managed to surpass it on a key criterion: light transmission. Where standard glass allows approximately 85 to 90% of light to pass through, acrylic achieves an average of 92%, a record for a synthetic material. The result is more intense brightness and optimal enhancement of displayed objects.
Another advantage is that acrylic does not yellow and maintains its shine even after several years, where glass can become dull due to certain treatments or limescale deposits. Even better: it can be dyed, opalized, or colored in bulk without losing its transparency. This chromatic freedom makes it an ally of contemporary design, both in architecture and interior layout.
This explains why today more than 60% of museum showcases in Europe are made of acrylic rather than glass, a choice that combines protection, aesthetics, and exceptional visual rendering.
With a light transmission rate of around 92%, acrylic even surpasses regular glass, which typically maxes out at about 85 to 90%. This ability to allow more light to pass through gives it a crystalline brilliance and visual purity sought after in many projects: display cases, picture windows, protective covers, or decorative elements.
Beyond the numbers, the user experience is also different: acrylic reduces visual distortion, offers lasting transparency comfort, and does not yellow over time, unlike some treated glasses.
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Glass impresses with its density: it weighs about 2.5 g/cm³, which limits its use in lightweight or mobile structures. Acrylic, on the other hand, weighs only 1.19 g/cm³ – making it twice as light. In practice, a 2 m² acrylic sheet can be handled effortlessly by one person, whereas glass would require two operators and specialized equipment.
This difference is a game-changer in architecture, design, and interior fittings. Acrylic makes it easier to install large glazed areas, reduces logistical costs, and even allows for suspended structures that are impossible with glass. It's also an ecological asset: transporting lighter sheets leads to a significant reduction in CO? emissions.
In terms of practicality, acrylic can be cut, drilled, or thermoformed directly in the workshop with great precision, without the need for heavy machinery. This makes it a material of choice for custom fittings and projects requiring advanced customization.
While glass is often associated with insulation, it has its limitations: its average thermal conductivity is about 1 W/m·K. Acrylic, on the other hand, has a conductivity that is half as much (0.19 W/m·K), making it a far more efficient material for retaining heat in the winter and reducing energy losses.
In practical terms, a 10 mm thick acrylic sheet provides thermal insulation comparable to that of double-glazed glass, while being lighter and easier to install. This characteristic is increasingly sought after in a context where energy performance is at the heart of architectural and industrial projects.
Acoustically, acrylic also surprises: it reduces ambient noise by up to 30% compared to single-pane glass, making it a valuable ally for urban environments or open-plan workspaces.
By combining transparency, lightness, and insulation, acrylic thus establishes itself as a versatile material, meeting both aesthetic challenges and current energy performance standards.
Glass, even when tempered, remains fragile to impacts: a blow too strong can shatter it into sharp pieces. Conversely, acrylic is up to 10 times more impact-resistant than glass of equal thickness. And in the event of extreme breakage, it does not produce dangerous shards but rather blunt fragments, which are much less hazardous.
This explains its widespread adoption in sectors where safety is a priority: store display cases, outdoor shelters, sports equipment, as well as sanitary protections (anti-Covid barriers, for example).
Another lesser-known advantage: acrylic maintains its mechanical strength even at low temperatures, where glass becomes even more brittle. This behavior makes it a preferred choice in modern urban planning, highly frequented public areas, or the interior design of buildings open to the public.
In other words, choosing acrylic means opting for a material that is both aesthetic and protective, ensuring durability and safety in everyday life.
While glass requires specific tools and remains difficult to shape without the risk of breaking, acrylic stands out for its ease of fabrication. Lighter and more malleable, it can be cut, drilled, bent, or thermoformed without altering its transparency.
This versatility paves the way for bold creations: designer furniture, backlit signs, technical parts for industry, or complex architectural elements. Thanks to modern technologies—such as laser cutting or CNC machining—manufacturers can now achieve precision to a tenth of a millimeter, allowing for completely customized projects.
Another major advantage: acrylic easily accepts engraving and coloring, whether it be bright hues, frosted finishes, or mirror effects. The result is a material that combines artistic freedom with technical performance, serving both designers and industrialists.
Long considered a mere economical alternative to glass, acrylic has established itself as a material in its own right, combining exceptional transparency, increased durability, and design freedom. Being 50% lighter, up to 10 times more impact-resistant, and capable of filtering UV rays, it now appeals to both architects and discerning individuals alike.
Its success is not only due to its practicality but also its role in a more sustainable approach: recyclable, customizable, and designed to last for decades without clarity loss, it meets contemporary challenges of safety, aesthetics, and innovation.
In an era where every project aims to balance style and performance, acrylic emerges as an obvious choice. More than just a substitute for glass, it has become an indispensable ally for modern creators, offering everyone the chance to combine strength, lightness, and elegance.
Author Loïc on 24 January 2025
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