When it comes to choosing the right transparent material for your aquarium, you should give a lot more thought to it than you do, because people fail to realise that it matters much more. It doesn’t really matter what you’re designing; it could be a display panel or a custom installation, the confusion between acrylic glass vs plexiglass stays. There is a vast majority of people who tend to assume that these materials are different from each other, and others think that one of them is stronger than the other.

So what we’ll discuss in today’s blog is what they are and how different they are. This guide will help you understand what acrylic glass and plexiglass really are, how they compare to each other, plus how they are somewhat better than traditional glass. By the end, you will have a better understanding to know exactly which option fits your project’s idea/design.

What Is Acrylic Glass?

Let’s discuss acrylic glass first. This type of glass is made of transparent plastic which is known well for its clarity, its strength, as well as its versatility. If you want a more technical term, it’s called “polymethyl methacrylate” which is short for PMMA. You probably have seen this term being used when you go shopping for aquariums, windows, signage, furniture, or protective barriers.

Acrylic glass is very similar to the normal type of glass in looks. However, it has different characteristics than normal glass. It’s lighter and stronger, also it’s easier to mold it into any shape you want. These characteristics of acrylic glass makes it so popular and a favorite for newer designs and installations on a large scale.

Key Characteristics of Acrylic Glass

• Lighter in weight compared to glass
• Can see through it more clearly
• Resists impact with more strength 
• Easy to make it take the shape of any custom shapes
• Weather resistant for indoor and outdoor use
  

When people talk about acrylic glass vs glass, these are the traits that make acrylic the superior and better option.

What Is Plexiglass?

This is the part where everything becomes confusing. Plexiglass is not very different from acrylic glass, it’s actually a brand name for acrylic glass and is mostly used to refer to either kind of acrylic sheets. So, in simpler words, acrylic glass vs plexiglass is not a material comparison. It is a general name and a brand name. However, there are still many differences between the two:

• Acrylic is more durable, lighter in weight, and less expensive than Plexiglass. 

• Plexiglass has higher impact resistance and is best for usage when larger sheets are required. Plexiglass is also more expensive because of the brand name.

If you’re still confused, its important that you consult service providers like BPK as we specialise  in this very field to help you decide which material is right for your project. 

Acrylic Glass vs Glass: The Bigger Comparison

Comparison between plexiglass and acrylic is just a misunderstanding, the real deal is the comparison between acrylic vs glass. This is what actually matters, what people are talking about, plus specifically is very important in aquariums and custom builds. Let’s dive in deeper.

Applications of Acrylic vs Glass Aquarium

The material you choose matters a lot in aquarium design. Tanks should be able to handle the pressure of the water. They should remain clear enough for good visibility, and they should be safe.

Why Acrylic Is Preferred Most of the Times

• Acrylic is like 17x more strong than glass
• It is about 50% lighter in weight, making installation easier
• It is possible to make big sheets without joints
• It is possible to create curved and tunnel type tanks
  

These are the reasons why people prefer acrylic and why it is mostly used in public aquariums and large custom tanks. When comparing acrylic vs glass aquarium, acrylic surely gives you more flexibility when it comes to design and also provides better long term safety.

Glass is still a nice choice and is good enough for smaller, normal sized tanks. But once size increases, acrylic is the better of the two.

Acrylic vs Glass Fish Tank: Strength and Safety

A major thing to be concerned about when it comes to fish tanks is impact resistance. Glass is hard but it’s brittle, if it takes a sharp hit, it can crack or shatter down in an instant.

Acrylic in this scenario would react differently. If it takes a blow from either inside or outside, it doesn’t break, instead it flexes a little. The flexibility of the material plays an important role in environments that are highly pressured. When comparing acrylic vs glass fish tank safety, acrylic gives stronger protection against hits, blows, or any kind of pressure.

Scratches can happen with acrylic, but they can also be polished out so that’s not much of an issue. However, scratches on glass are permanent no amount of polishing would fix that.

Acrylic Glass vs Glass Characteristics

Here is a clear comparison of acrylic glass vs glass characteristics that matter most in usage in the real world:

This comparison explains why acrylic is used more in large installations.

Acrylic Glass vs Glass Frame Use

To use for frames, covers, or displays both the materials have their own place. When comparing acrylic vs glass frame options with each other, acrylic is preferred more cause of its safety and its light weight.

Acrylic frames are:

• Easier to mount
• Safer in areas where traffic is higher
• The possibility of them shattering is much lower

Glass frames on the other hand do give an elegant and premium feel, but they still require to be handled with extra care and they also need stronger mounting systems.

Cost Comparison: Acrylic vs Glass

The cost of each is highly dependent on size. From our analysis, smaller glass panels are mostly cheaper than acrylic. However, when acrylic becomes the more cost effective option as you look at bigger sizes. This is due to the reason that as glass becomes bigger, it becomes heavier, which makes it really hard to transport and even harder to install. In large aquariums and custom designs, acrylic wins on long term value.

Comparison Considering the Environment

Glass is made from natural materials and is fully recyclable. Acrylic is based on petroleum and is harder to recycle.

However, acrylic lasts longer in demanding environments. So there’s no need to replace it again and again which means the waste produced will be lesser over time. In applications that last long, durability plays a crucial role in sustainability.

Conclusion of Acrylic Glass vs Plexiglass Explained

To sum it all up, acrylic glass vs plexiglass is not a comparison between two different types of materials. They both are the same thing except that plexiglass is simply the name of the brand for acrylic.

The real comparison is actually about acrylic glass vs glass. For aquariums, large displays, and custom designs, acrylic is the better option since it gives more strength, clarity, plus creative freedom that glass can not match. At BPK, our focus is on working with materials that are safe, beautiful, and perform better in the long term. With us, you’ll never experience compromise on quality. If you are planning an aquarium or custom installation, we can surely help you choose the right solution for your space. Please feel free to reach out because we are more than ready and always excited to build something clear, strong, and made to last with our dear customers!!!