Transparent acrylic is an ideal material for fencing. It is much more durable than glass and can be molded to suit a variety of purposes. Acrylic fencing has gained popularity because it is simple to clean and maintain, saving time and money. Acrylic is a transparent material with numerous applications. For decades, it has been utilized for gates, windows, and mirrors. Acrylic can be tinted to any color and is a cost-effective and long-lasting material.
Continue reading for more information on acrylic fencing.
What is acrylic?
Acrylic is extremely resilient, particularly in comparison to glass. It is also approximately 50 percent lighter than glass, which is another reason why it is the superior material for various applications.
Acrylic Plexiglas can be produced via casting or extrusion (free-form). The chemical compounds (polymethyl methacrylate) used in the manufacturing process render it shatterproof, temperature-, weather-, and impact-resistant, as well as shatterproof. Acrylic plexiglas pieces, unlike glass, would have blunted edges if damaged or broken, thereby minimizing the risk of injury. This is an essential safety feature that makes acrylic the ideal material for a variety of human-contact applications.
Contrary to popular belief, acrylic is not a replacement for plastic. In actuality, it is a plastic material. Acrylic is an industrial-grade thermoplastic that is typically designed for applications requiring the highest levels of durability, temperature resistance, and impact resistance. If you’ve ever watched a hockey game and seen the players body-checking each other into the baseboards, you’ve witnessed acrylic plastic in action. The acrylic slabs that make up the baseboards are designed to withstand a blow without cracking in freezing temperatures.
Acrylic plastic is not susceptible to discoloration because it is designed to withstand extensive sun and UV radiation exposure. Acrylic plastic is derived from natural gases, making it resistant to ultraviolet light. For this reason, acrylic plastic is frequently used in applications where continuous exposure to sunlight is inevitable, such as skylights, greenhouses, shed windows, and so on.
Clear acrylic sheeting are extremely resistant to the elements. As with their colored counterparts, there is absolutely no danger of discoloration from prolonged exposure to the sun and UV rays. These panels have a duration of 10 years or more and can withstand a variety of weather conditions, including snowstorms, heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and more.
Acrylic is not a common fencing material, but its durability, transparency, and low cost make it an attractive option for a few fence applications. Acrylic fence panels perform better than most other fencing options in areas where fences must provide security or restrict airflow without obstructing the line of sight through the fence.
Characteristics of Acrylic
Acrylic is sometimes referred to as Plexiglass, but Plexiglass is only one of many acrylic brands. This material has several advantages:
- It is less expensive than glass and polycarbonate;
- It resists yellowing from the sun;
- It has better clarity than glass, transmitting 92% of light;
- It is easier to machine and shape;
- It can be polished to a smooth finish;
- Its impact resistance is 17 times that of glass; and
- It is available in a variety of colors.
- Acrylic is also a thermoplastic that can be formed and bent using heat. Because it bonds well with adhesive, it can have clean glue joints for an improved appearance.
- Acrylic may be a suitable alternative to glass if you’re searching for an affordable material that is significantly more durable.
Advantages of Acrylic Fencing
Acrylic plastic is one of the most elastic and durable materials in use today, and it has surpassed all others in popularity. There is a good chance that you have acrylic plastic products in your home, if not actual parts of your house that have been constructed with acrylic plastic. It offers so many benefits over traditional glass and a flexible approach to product design for so many businesses that it is difficult to disregard the advantages.
As specialists offering a variety of acrylic plastic sheets, we understand the importance of dependable, resilient materials. Whether for residential or commercial use, in product design or construction, we offer a variety of colors, sizes, and cut-to-size options.
To appreciate the significance of acrylic in the world around us, let’s examine its many purposes and applications.
1. Wind Breaks
Additionally, acrylic fence panels can be utilized as wind barriers. In locations where the primary function of a solid fence is to reduce wind flow into the property, acrylic panels can serve as wind barriers without also functioning as a light barrier. Acrylic panels set within wooden frames can be incorporated into a wood privacy fence to enable light to pass through the fence at specific points while allowing the remainder of the fence to maintain its privacy function.
2. Fencing Panels
Acrylic panels can serve the same function when combined with solid fence panels. Light can enter the property through the top piece of the fence, above eye level, while maintaining the fence’s privacy function, if an acrylic upper section is incorporated into an otherwise solid fence panel made of vinyl, wood, metal, or another view-blocking material.
3. Ornamental Fences
Acrylic panels can be used as solely decorative components in ornamental fence designs that exploit the material’s unique properties. Alyson Shotz’s “Mirror Fence” from 2003, for instance, employs mirrored acrylic surfaces to create a traditional picket fence that reflects the surrounding light and landscape. Similarly, gardeners can use acrylic fence elements to add whimsy and excitement to their gardens.
Disadvantages of Acrylic
Acrylic is not flame resistant. Never use acrylic sheet for safety applications such as windows in trains or vehicles. Because acrylic panels are not flame resistant, this is the case. Clear polycarbonate is a suitable alternative to standard glass that can withstand elevated temperatures.
Acrylic sheet is an excellent alternative to traditional glass for a variety of applications. This versatile plastic has a wide range of applications and is significantly less expensive than conventional glass.
Acrylic has some disadvantages that should be considered when selecting a plastic material. Compared to polycarbonate, this material is more rigid. It is also more susceptible to splitting and chipping when drilled.
How resistant is transparent acrylic to the weather
The weather resistance of clear acrylic sheeting is among the most frequently asked questions. Acrylic is used in a variety of outdoor applications, including as replacement panels for shed windows and greenhouses. It is crucial to understand how long the material is anticipated to withstand exposure to high levels of moisture, ultraviolet light, and fluctuating temperatures.
Acrylic has superior weather resistance compared to other general-purpose plastics. It is resistant to high levels of UV radiation, salt water spray, extreme cold, and drastic temperature changes without shattering, fogging, or losing its luster.
Transparent acrylic, in fact, can last up to 30 years in the elements without turning yellow, breaking, or becoming brittle. Since it has the same visual appeal and clarity as glass but is more resistant to impact and the growth of mildew, mold, and moss, which gradually obscure glass, it is the material of choice for the construction of garden greenhouses.
It’s important to notice that colored acrylic sheets have better weather resistance than clear ones. While colored acrylic is similarly durable and mold and mildew resistant, it may fade after extended exposure to sunlight.