Short answer: acrylic or glass?
If you value low weight, easy installation and full safety against shattering — choose acrylic (acrylic glass / PMMA). If your priority is the highest scratch resistance and resistance to aggressive chemicals — consider mineral glass or polycarbonate with a hard-coat.
Technical comparison
| Feature | Acrylic (PMMA) | Traditional glass |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | About 50% lighter (1.19 g/cm³) | Heavy (approx. 2.5 g/cm³) |
| Safety | Does not shatter into sharp shards | Brittle, breaks into sharp pieces |
| Light transmission | 92% (crystal clear) | 88–90% (depending on thickness) |
| Processing and cutting | Easy laser cutting, milling, drilling | Requires tempering and specialist saws |
Where acrylic clearly wins
- Protective screens in banks, shops and offices.
- Backlit light boxes and 3D dimensional letters (even light diffusion).
- Windows in camper vans, boats and model making.
- Anti-glare frames and picture frames in galleries and museums.
See our acrylic sheet range in Warsaw
We supply clear, opal, coloured and mirror acrylic sheets in standard formats and cut to size.