People often want to know if acrylic mirrors are as good as glass mirrors before they buy one. This comprehensive article on this subject is a product of in-depth research. Our team has examined both varieties thoroughly and we will give you our verdicts as you read on.
Are acrylic mirrors as good as glass mirrors? Acrylic mirrors are not only as good as glass mirrors, but they are also better in many ways. To start with, they are stronger and safer than glass, and that’s why many people prefer them to glass mirrors. Just like glass mirrors, you can frame acrylic mirrors to fit them for your home. Acrylic mirrors have certain shortcomings too, but overall they are as good as glass mirrors and even better than them in many ways.
The use of acrylic mirrors as alternatives to glass mirrors is fast becoming a popular trend. Both construction experts and DIY enthusiasts seem to be falling in love with acrylic mirrors above glass mirrors. As you read on, we will give you a closer and more in-depth look at acrylic mirrors. You will see why it’s becoming quite popular, why people love it more than glass, and some of its downsides.
Are Acrylic Mirrors Better than Glass Mirrors?
Acrylic mirrors have numerous advantages over glass. For instance, acrylic is flexible while glass material is not. As such, you bend an acrylic mirror to fit a curved surface. Whereas, for glass mirrors, once the glass material cools and sets, you cannot bend it anymore. The impact resistance of acrylic mirrors also makes them safer for several environments where glass mirrors may constitute hazard risks. Low maintenance and lightweight also make acrylic mirrors easier to install, frame, and maintain.
Acrylic mirrors outshine traditional glass mirrors in many ways. Read on to find out some of the benefits of acrylic mirrors and why you may want to consider them above glass mirrors.
Acrylic Safety Mirror – More Resilient and Safer Option
Acrylic has 17 times more strength than glass. This means that acrylics can withstand and survive impacts that would ordinarily break glass materials. These include bangs, crashes, and collisions. More so, when glass breaks, the shattered pieces may constitute a hazard. But since acrylic can hold up better to these impacts without breaking, they are safer options.
Acrylic Mirror Restoration is Easier
When glass scratches, you can hardly restore the scratched surface. But if acrylic mirror scratches, you can easily restore the surface. All you need to do is use acrylic polish to fix the scratch.
Acrylic Makes Flexible Mirror Sheets
Acrylic weighs only about half of what an equal size of glass material weighs, but it is much stronger and more flexible. Because of their flexibility, acrylic mirrors can bend easily when working with them. That’s why many people talk about “acrylic mirror sheets”.
It’s Quicker to Install Acrylic Wall Mirrors
There are two ways to mount Acrylic mirrors on the wall. The first method is to use adhesives. Large mirrors will hardly stay on the wall with adhesives because of their weight. But acrylic mirrors are lightweight, so adhesives will easily hold them down.
The second way to mount acrylic mirrors on the wall is to screw them to the wall. Glass can shatter if you try to bore a screw hole through them, but you can easily drill a hole through an acrylic mirror.
The best way to mount glass mirrors on the wall is to buy one that already has screw holes. But for acrylic mirrors, you can easily drill a hole. But make sure to use a driller. Do not try to screw directly through the acrylic mirror without drilling a hole first. If you do, the acrylic mirror may crack, chip, or shatter.
Acrylic Mirror vs Glass Mirror Price
The low cost of acrylic mirrors is another major benefit they have above glass mirrors. They are also very durable, so you won’t have to replace them sooner. What’s more, they require only little maintenance. You only need household detergent and warm water to keep them clean. Glass, on the other hand, often requires special cleaning agents.
Are Glass Mirrors Better than Acrylic Mirrors?
Overall, acrylic mirrors are better than glass mirrors. But glass mirrors are better than acrylic mirrors in some ways too. For instance, the rigidity of glass has a few advantages too. And unlike acrylic, glass does not absorb moisture and is not prone to warping. What’s more, glass mirrors have better reflectivity than acrylic mirrors. They also have better scratch resistance than acrylic mirrors.
As you read on, we will explain some of the benefits of glass over acrylic mirrors.
Glass Mirrors Have Better Rigidity/Scratch Resistance
Acrylic is less rigid than glass. This means that it is much easier to scratch acrylic than to scratch glass. However, you can add a scratch-resistant coating to your acrylic mirror. But most times, this option is too expensive and impractical. More so, acrylic scratches are easier to fix with simple acrylic polish.
✅ Video – How to Clean Acrylic Mirrors Without Scratching Them
Acrylic mirrors are very easy to scratch, and this becomes a problem especially when you are cleaning them. In this video, you will learn simple ways to clean acrylic mirrors without a scratch. Click the play button now to watch the video.
Glass Does Not Absorb Moisture
Acrylic can absorb moisture, especially in outdoor environments, but glass does not. If you are using the mirror outdoors, it is better to go for an aluminum composite or glass mirror instead of an acrylic mirror.
Glass is Not Prone to Warping
An acrylic mirror can become warped when you fix it on a surface, while glass never becomes warped no matter what. So if you are using an acrylic mirror, you should mount it on a flat surface. If it’s not on a flat surface, heat and tension can make it warped, and this will distort any image reflections in the mirror.
What if your wall doesn’t have a flat surface? You should add a flat and rigid material behind the acrylic mirror before mounting it on the wall. We have also written this article that discusses if a convex mirror makes things bigger. You can check out the article for an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Glass Mirror Reflections are More Perfect
Glass mirrors offer better reflections than acrylic mirrors. Acrylic mirrors have a reflectivity of 85-90% while glass mirrors have a reflectivity of over 99%. This means that the image formed in a glass mirror is closer to reality than the image formed in an acrylic mirror.
Acrylic Mirror vs. Glass Mirror
Both acrylic and glass mirrors will reflect images, but the reflections from glass mirrors are closer to perfect. However, acrylic mirrors are easier to install and maintain. Acrylic mirrors are popular in gyms, dance studios, and other indoor public areas. Conversely, glass mirrors are popular in outdoor environments and places where safety is a concern.
You can easily maneuver acrylic mirrors because they are lightweight and flexible. They are also shatterproof and impact resistant. And unlike what many people think, acrylic mirrors are resistant to UV damage. They do not discolor due to UV exposure.
Glass mirrors are not close to being as strong as acrylic mirrors, but they are quite strong and durable too. Thick-width glass mirrors are particularly very strong. What’s more, acrylic mirrors can warp and become distorted, but glass mirrors will not.
Is Acrylic Mirror Cheaper than Glass?
In terms of purchase cost, an acrylic mirror is more expensive than a glass mirror. But overall, acrylic mirrors will cost you less. Firstly, they are lightweight, so you will spend less transporting them. They are also easier and cheaper to maintain. What’s more, acrylic is flexible and less likely to shatter. So, they will last longer and save you replacement costs.
Does Acrylic Mirror Scratch?
Because acrylic mirrors are less rigid, they are more prone to scratching than glass mirrors. Glass mirrors scratch too, but not as easily as acrylic mirrors. But if there are scratches on acrylic mirrors, you can fix them very easily using acrylic polish. Learn more about acrylic mirrors and how they work by reading this article that we have written titled, what is an acrylic mirror?
What is the Disadvantage of Acrylic?
The major disadvantage of using acrylic is how easily it scratches. It is far more difficult to scratch glass but quite easy to scratch acrylic. What’s more, acrylic is easier to scratch than most other synthetic materials. Acrylic is also less matting-resistant. They are also easy to get stained by oil and grease.
Conclusion
Acrylic is a better option compared to glass mirrors for so many reasons. They are stronger, cheaper, safer, more flexible, and easier to fit. But then, glass mirrors also have a few advantages above acrylic mirrors. Glass mirrors have a higher reflectivity, do not absorb moisture, are more rigid, not prone to warping, and do not absorb moisture.
So then, acrylic mirrors are as good as glass mirrors. But in the end, your choice between glass and acrylic mirrors will depend on your preferences and specific application.