Commercial Glazing Facts
Plastic material has a long life and is much stronger than glass that can be used for commercial glazing for outdoor and indoor use. It much better when shipping and handling because this material will not break as easily as glass would. You can drill through the material, round edges, and polish flame with little to no knowledge at all.
Acrylic/Plexiglass – Acrylic, or more commonly known as plexiglass, is 50 times stronger than glass and light weight. It is naturally ultraviolet light stable has a nice optical view that can be substituted for glass. It can easily be cut, glued, and drilled. There are multiple tints and colors available.
Polycarbonate – Polycarbonate is a plastic that is 100 times stronger than glass and light weight. This product is not naturally ultraviolet stable, but now a layer of protection is added to one side or two sides of the sheet. This will give polycarbonate a long longevity even when exposed to UV sun rays. This item is flexible and can be cold formed. There are multiple tints and colors available.
Bullet Resistant (BR) Polycarbonate – This is a plastic rated Level III up to .44 magnums on 1.25” thick material. Bullet-resistant polycarbonate sheet has 2 outer layers of abrasion resistant polycarbonate sandwiched in between and an inner layer of standard polycarbonate. Clear is the only option for this item.
Acrylic, Polycarbonate, and BR Polycarbonate Uses:
- Windows
- Atriums
- Teller windows
- Drive-thru windows
Benefits of Acrylic, Polycarbonate, and BR Polycarbonate
- Lightweight
- Much stronger than glass
- UV stable
- Optically clear
There is a broad range of specialty grade acrylic, polycarbonate, and BR polycarbonates.
Acrylic AR2 is a scratch-resistant sheet that is ideal for areas where there is high traffic. This will keep a clean finish, and make it easier to clean off.
Polycarbonate AR2 is a scratch-resistant sheet that is 10 times stronger than acrylic sheeting. This is ideal for prisons and mental hospitals. Polycarbonate is almost unbreakable.
Trupoly SL is a coated polycarbonate sheet on one side that makes the sheet UV stable. This is ideal for exterior glazing and at the same time extra resistance against breakage. General purpose polycarbonate is not UV stable and will yellow and damage from sun exposure. This has a 10-year limited warranty against any UV damage, so you will get a long life out of this sheet.
Bullet resistant polycarbonate is ideal for banks, convenience stores, check cashing, police stations. There are 3 standard rating for bullet resistant. Level I (up to 9mm), level II (up to .40), and level III (up to .44). These are the strongest plastic sheets available in the market today.
Storm Panels are another name for our 16mm RDC multi-wall polycarbonate panels. These sheets come in sizes from 4’ x 8’ all the way up to 6’ x 24’. They come in three different colors: clear, opal, and bronze. These are the only panels that have both the Texas Department of Insurance Certification for hurricane wind speeds as well as the Miami-Dade certification. All of our multiwall panels can be cut to size and shipped directly to you. They can then be framed up around the outside of your windows to protect your home during severe weather.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Glazing
How do I know which sheet to choose from for commercial glazing?
There are multiple reasons to go with a certain product for commercial glazing. This includes if it is for interiors or exterior? Will this be in a high traffic area? Will someone attempt to break through it?
Are there various color options to choose?
Yes, plexiglass and polycarbonate have a variety of colors. This includes; tinted, translucent, and frosted options. Acrylic will have the most options in colors opposed to polycarbonate. Glass green is a popular color in acrylic since it gives a glass feel to the sheet.
My business has been broken into which glazing sheet should I choose?
Polycarbonate is the only option for protecting against breakage. Polycarbonate is lightweight and has a glass look to it. Polycarbonate is over 100 times stronger than glass. The thicker sheet you go with the less likely the sheet will break.
What is I am trying to install myself and want to use woodworking tools?
When you have a minimal experience working with plastics, polycarbonate is product you want to work with. When working with acrylic, you need to have special acrylic tools for cutting and drilling holes if not you have a high chance of cracking and breaking. With polycarbonate, you can use woodworking tools and won’t break as easy since it is a softer sheet and at the same time stronger.
Why Choose A&C Plastics?
Our commitment to order accuracy and customer service will help you get exactly what you need right when you need it.
You can count on us to help you get the job done.
Every Color Imaginable
We have more than 200 different colors of acrylic sheets in our warehouse and our expert staff is always ready to help.
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Oversized Sheets
Big projects call for big materials. Our warehouse is home to some of the largest sheets in the plastics industry.
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No Project Too Large or Too Small
We work hard to meet your expectations on every level. Let A&C Plastics deliver for you.
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Custom Cutting Capabilities
We can perform cut-to-size orders with tight tolerances of 1/32 inch.
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Questions? Contact Our Experts Today
Our team is here to help you. If we don't have what you need in-stock or in the options you need, our plastic experts will find it!
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