The lightness, impact resistance and versatility of plexiglass make it a material of choice for many domestic applications.
What is plexiglass?
Plexiglass, known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a thermoplastic polymer valued for its transparency, lightness and impact resistance.
There are two types: cast plexiglass and extruded plexiglass, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Appearing in the 1930s, this acrylic glass was first marketed under the name Perspex before being called Plexiglas.
Its use expanded after the Second World War, particularly in aeronautics and advertising.
Today, plexiglass is widely used, whether in industry or in everyday life.
Lighter, more flexible and 30 times stronger than glass, it offers 90% light transmission.
Why use plexiglass?
Plexiglas has many advantages in everyday life:
Blackout, translucent or completely transparent, it brings a touch of modernity and elegance to interior spaces, allowing optimal diffusion of light.
Please note: Plexiglas does not yellow.
Despite its thickness, it is an easy material to handle (perforations, cutting, etc.) and to install, making it practical for a variety of DIY or landscaping projects.
Compared to glass, it offers greater strength while allowing almost 92% of light to pass through, making it an excellent choice for windows, partitions and transparent furniture.
It is resistant to UV rays and can be used in extreme temperatures: this is why it is often used for displays in stores, signage or communication supports in the street (illuminated sign, personalized plaque, etc.)
However, clear acrylic glass also has some disadvantages: it can scratch more easily than glass and lose its shine over time.
It therefore requires regular maintenance to preserve its appearance.
Despite its slightly higher cost than glass, plexiglass remains an affordable option for many domestic applications, and remains less expensive than polycarbonate.
What uses for the home?
In the home, plexiglass can be used to make furniture such as coffee tables, shelves or chairs.
Transparent and rigid plexiglass is often used to design shower doors, partition walls, display cases, as well as decorative objects and lighting accessories (lamps, photo frames, plexiglass boards, wall clocks, etc.) .
Versatile, plexiglass advantageously replaces glass surfaces in many contexts: windows, verandas, canopies, greenhouses, glass roofs and even mirrors or aquariums.
In addition, it is ideal in the garden for the manufacture of barriers, fences or swimming pool coverings, but also very present in garden furniture.
In interior and exterior decoration, plexiglass is popular because it is easy to work with and can be used as insulation.
Finally, it is also very popular in the field of design and art, offering artists great freedom of expression thanks to its malleability.
In addition to being ecological, plexiglass combines aesthetics and functionality.
Although it may have some disadvantages (scratches, loss of shine), its advantages are undeniable: unbreakable, very resistant, malleable and easy to maintain.
Available in many colors and different formats, it is therefore very useful in the home.