With so many different types of materials available to us today, how do we know which material we should use for which project? Prices can vary greatly so you need to make sure that you are choosing the right mirrored plastic for the job at hand.
Here we list some comparisons between Mirrored Acrylic and Polycarbonate Mirrored sheeting, two very similar products with slightly different properties:
Mirrored Acrylic
- Mirrored Acrylic generally comes in sheet form.
- It is a lightweight material that offers superb reflection, similar to that of mirrored glass.
- At 100 times stronger than glass, this is often used to make safety mirrors in a variety of different industries.
- Acrylic Mirrors are easy to clean, by applying a simple solution of warm water and soap, and then wiping with a clean, lint free cloth. Certain chemicals can damage acrylic and may cause scratches, so check the label of any readymade cleaning solutions.
- While resistant to weather conditions, acrylic mirrors are generally used for indoor applications.
- Acrylic Mirrors are easy to work with; they can be cut with a knife, scriber or jigsaw and may also be drilled with care.
- Costing up to 50% less than Polycarbonate mirrored sheeting, Acrylic sheeting is ideal for short term projects.
Polycarbonate Mirrors
- Polycarbonate Mirror also comes in sheet form.
- Extremely lightweight (approximately one-third of the weight of glass), it offers superior optical clarity, making it material of choice for use in areas where glass mirrors would be unsafe or too heavy.
- Approximately 250 times stronger than glass, Polycarbonate mirrors are virtually unbreakable and once the sheeting is over a certain thickness it becomes bulletproof.
- Polycarbonate mirrors are highly resistant to chemicals such as gasoline and acid, so they can be cleaned with most shop bought cleaning solutions; however it can scratch so you need to be observant when using a new cleaning solution.
- Completely weather resistant, Polycarbonate copes well with changes in temperature; it can expand and contract without causing any permanent damage; making it a popular choice for outdoor applications.
- Polycarbonate is slightly harder to cut, but this property makes it easier to drill than Acrylic. It has much less chance of cracking or chipping.
- Sheets of Polycarbonate mirror can be expensive, but for a long term project it is an investment.
We stock a wide range of acrylic and polycarbonate mirrored sheeting cut to your exact size requirements.
