Posts Tagged ‘acrylic mirror’

Acrylic Mirrors

November 11th, 2009

Acrylic mirror panels are ideally installed in home areas where safety is a major concern. They can also be used for decorative purposes such as those integrated in interior fittings. Plastic mirrors are the choice when shatter resistance is necessary. Acrylic is one common ingredient used when producing durable plastic mirror sheets.

Acrylic, also known as Polymethyl-Methrcrylate, is an optically transparent amorphous thermoplastic, which offers high strength-to-weight ratio and unaffected by moisture. Mirrored acrylics are available in extruded and cast variety. They exhibit the highest strength and stiffness as compared to PETG and polycarbonate. They come in a variety of colors and textures, wherein the acrylic clear mirror is considered as the standard non-tinted variety. They can be cut into intricate shapes, polished, sanded, drilled, machined or strip heated depending on the preference of the buyer.

Acrylic mirror sheets are highly reflective but also available in reduced glare. The shatterproof acrylic mirror is widely used as utility mirrors particularly for outdoor applications. Many homeowners invest on this type of mirror due to a number of reasons. Apart from its shatter resistance feature, they are much lighter than glass and very easy to install. In addition, they are impact resistant, non-shattering and flexible. These characteristics made them the ideal choice for security glasses.

Whether you are planning to purchase a concave or convex acrylic mirror, it is essential that you first take accurate measurements of the area where you are planning to install the mirror sheets. This is necessary to ensure that you will be able to purchase enough acrylic sheets to cover that particular area. Also, you have to take note of the different grades used for producing mirrorized acrylics.

Since some acrylics tend to yellow over time, you should select one that does not. Some manufacturers even give warranty in terms of color fading. Aside from that, acrylics also lose a considerable portion of their light transmission during use, thus, resulting to a darker mirror. Opt for those that guarantee that their mirrors will retain 90% of light transmission even after 30 years.

Choose an acrylic manufacturer that has already established their name in terms of producing premium grade mirror panels or sheets. Make sure that the acrylic panels you will be purchasing will seamlessly blend with your home décor to create a cohesive look. Look into the available options including pressure sensitive backing, abrasion resistant front surface and release liner protection.

Just remember to select your acrylic sheets accordingly by considering the purpose of using one, the size required and the thickness needed!