I’ve got a choice of 1/8" acrylic, polly carbonate (Lexan) or untempered plate glass. So which is the better window material or is there something else I should be using? I’m finishing up a couple of buildings and am going to have to make a choice pretty soon. I’m essentially looking for something that holds up well outdoors and won’t yellow, etc… Right now, glass is looking like the winner, but it can be a little harder to work with than the other two. Thanks much!
I’ve used lexan before and it’s not a bad choice. Another item I’ve used is slide cover glass, the type used for microscopes. You can pick them up at larger hobby stores or by internet at any number of scientific supply companies. If you are going to use glass, they may be a better way to go as they are thinner, cheaper and easier to work with.
I have also microscope slides and they work well and are easy to cut to shape, nice feature here is they will not yellow or haze.
lawncourt
I use the clear plastic from CD cases.
Works OK for me.
Slide cover glass is a very good idea. I was in HD over the weekend and picked up a 24"sq piece of .090" Lexan for $6. It has a 10 warranty against yellowing which is probably 5 years longer than the buildings will last. [:D] Anyhoo, I’ll post a couple pictures when I’m done. Thanks all for the suggestions. [;)]
For a cheap and easy window that works well, cut out a piece of the clear plastic packaging that comes on a variety of products before you throw it away. It can be cut with scissors or x-acto blade. I have used this recycled clear plastic on rail cars and all kinds of structures. If it has a slight optical distortion, that only makes it look more like glass used in early structures.
JimC.
You will find that most sign shops throw away scraps of Plexiglass and Lexan on a daily basis. While Lexan is more durable against breakage due to rocks, bullets, etc., it has a tendency to yellow with age, that may or may not be a bad thing for you, it depends upon the desired look. But the fact that sign shops throw this stuff away on a daily basis should be enough to get you interested. They also use sheets of PVC, known in the sign industry as Sintra, Plexaglass (in clear and many colors), Alumalite (corogated plastic core sandwiched between aluminum sheets), redwood, fiberglass board, aluminum, steel, and many other interesting materials. Talk to them, let them know the kinds of materials you are interested in, they will probably save them for you if asked.
I use 8 1/2 x 11 transparencies that they use for overhead projectors. You can get a box of them at any office supply store. They are easy to cut with ordinary scissors.and, you can also run them through a color printer to print a pattern or stained glass
Dale