Different Types of Acrylic Sheet

Acrylic - which also goes by the brand names of Plexiglas, Lucite, Acrylite and Perspex - is known throughout the world of plastics for its dazzling glossiness and its remarkable scratch and impact resistance. It even boasts a greater load bearing capacity than polycarbonate, one of the toughest materials out there. What you may not know is that this exceptional plastic comes in a variety of models designed to meet the specific needs of demanding owners and remodelers. If you've got a specialized project in mind and are looking for the perfect material to fulfill your design, read on to discover the variety of acrylic sheet that'll help bring that design to life.

Clear Acrylic Sheeting

The most common form of acrylic, the flexibility of clear sheeting is evidenced mainly by the staggering variety of dimensions it can be ordered in. Thicknesses range from four inches to a 1/25th of an inch; widths from three feet to ten feet; lengths from four feet to twelve and a half feet. No matter the particulars of your design, it's all but certain that there's a size of clear acrylic sheeting available to meet those needs.

White Acrylic Sheeting

Fairly common in its own right, white acrylic sheeting is perfect for when you have unusual dimensions to fulfill and would prefer to use an opaque material to do so. What's more, acrylic technology has come so far that you can now even buy sheeting that starts black but turns white under exposure to LED lighting. The transitory nature of this remarkable material makes it perfect for light-sensitive acrylic applications, such as outdoor signage and advertisements.

Colored Acrylic Sheeting

Those looking for something a little more colorful will appreciate the rainbow of options in which colored acrylic sheeting can be ordered. With twenty different hues from which to choose, these varieties of acrylic are as striking as they are strong and can be just what you need to complete projects where both aesthetics and durability are needed. If you're looking for something that really pops, take a look at fluorescent acrylic sheet for transparent colored sheets whose corners actually glow in the light.

Mirrored Acrylic Sheeting

A triumph of both form and function, acrylic mirrored sheeting offers all the strength and durability of acrylic while also acting as a resistant reflective surface perfect for all sorts of service and high-stress environments. These sheets can even be ordered in different colors - fourteen of them, to be exact.

Light Diffusing Acrylic

The superior light diffusion of this sheeting prevents both visible hot spots and luminance fluctuations, making it the perfect choice for all kinds of backlit signs and letters. See for yourself the difference between basic acrylic and light diffusing acrylic. This material not only makes for better-looking signage - it also helps owners save money by requiring fewer lighting sources and less channel material.

Solar Tinted Acrylic

Are you looking for a material that can protect valuable objects from fading under harsh UV rays? Perhaps you're merely looking to cut your energy costs by managing temperatures within your business or facility. Either way, solar tinted acrylic sheeting provides unbeatable protection against the sun and even does so without any additional film - meaning that you won't ever have to worry about the surface peeling or bubbling.

Non-Glare Acrylic Sheeting

Maybe the material you're looking for doesn't need to keep the light out entirely - maybe you're just looking to reduce the glare in the display cases for your products or valuables. If that's the case, you'll appreciate how the special matte finish non-glare acrylic sheeting provides exceptional protection for your items while also allowing unobscured observation of whatever you're displaying or selling.

Anti-Static Acrylic Sheeting

Though acrylic sheeting can provide exceptional protection for all sorts of electrical components, some manufacturers fear its potential to carry electrostatic discharges that can harm those components. Make those fears a thing of the past with anti-static acrylic sheeting, a specialized material whose transparent coating prevents the formation of static electricity. As an added bonus, the permanent nature of that coating means that you don't have to worry about its effectiveness being undercut by humidity (as you would with temporary coatings).

Abrasion Resistant Acrylic Sheeting

Static electricity isn't the only hazard faced by acrylic sheeting, however. Though the material already boasts an excellent resistance to abrasion, this double-coated variety takes that resistance to the next level by offering unmatched strength against scuffing and scratching. Perfect for public spaces, abrasion resistant acrylic even provides exceptional protection against exposure to abrasive and damaging chemicals.

Impact Modified Acrylic

Impact resistance is one area in which basic acrylic falls a little short - though its strength in this area is seventeen times greater than that of glass, it's not as resistant as polycarbonate or certain other plastics. Modified acrylic helps to close that gap, as it's a material that boasts impact resistance similar to polycarbonate while still possessing superior affordability, weatherability and optical clarity.

Lucite Block Acrylic Sheeting

A must for intricate lighting projects, this specialized sheeting allows for LED lights to be embedded directly into the material to create an evenly diffused glow. In addition, block acrylic sheet holds the ability to maintain a constant transmission of color no matter the light source for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Textured Acrylic Sheeting

The durability and aesthetic features of acrylic have led to it being used in lieu of glass in a number of different applications. This textured acrylic sheeting, for example, has proven extremely popular as a material for partitions, cabinet doors, and patio tables - any environment in which the material must provide strength, privacy, and exceptional light transmission.