*
I’m building a 2nd story deck, and I’m wondering if it’s acceptable to use acrylic panels (approx 3’x5′ or 3’x6′) for the railing(in wood framing).I’m thinking 3/8″ thick.
Does anyone have any experience with this as opposed to tempered glass? I’ve heard that acrylic is clearer than glass, but will scratch more easily.
Any input greatly appreciated. Please reply to [email protected].
Listeners write in about fireplaces and ask questions about sharpening hand tools, easier wiring upgrades, and fixing cedar siding.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
*
I have had some experience with large fish tanks which use acrylic. They actually take a fair amount of abuse - however they will shatter if the people who sublet your apartment try to lift up a 50 gallon aquarium which is still full of water...
Minor scratches can be polished out and major scratches can be greatly diminished. Care needs to be taken when drilling or the plastic may crack or the area being drilled may melt and become a bit of a mess... Back when I was playing around with plastics, polycarbonates were considered to be stronger than acrylics and were recommended for burlar proofing windows.
I have seen some crazing of acrylic which may be explained by this description (courtesy of MIT at:
http://me.mit.edu/2.01/Taxonomy/Characteristics/Acrylics.html
Characteristics of Acrylics:
-Mechanical properties: High impact resistance - breakage resistance 6-17 times greater than window glass. Stronger and lighter than cellulosics. Rigid. Limitations are that it has a lower impact strength and formability than cellulose acetate butyrate and rigid PVC. Low starch resistance compared with glass. Flexible grades are not available.
-Optical Properties: Excellent optical clarity and complete transparency equivalent to the best optical glass.
-Thermal properties: Good low temperature characteristics. Limitations are that it is combustible - self extinguishing grades are available in sheet form only. heat resistant grades generate smoke when ignited.
-Environmental properties: Excellent long-term resistance to weathering and sunlight. Resistant to weak acids and alkalis, aliphatic hydrocarbons and most detergents and cleaning fluids. Low water absorption. Can be coated with abrasion and solvent resistant coating floroplastic/silica). Limitations are that it is attacked by strong oxidising agents, chlorinated hydrocarbons, esters, ketones, toluene and lacquer thinners. Susceptible to cracking and crazing if long term stresses exceed 500 psi.
-Processing and finishing: Can be cast as sheet and thermoformed; injection moulding, extrusion, high impact and heat resistant grades available. Toughness can be improved by molecular orientation induced during processing (stretch forming). Excellent dimensional stability and close dimensional tolerance moldings. Able to accept decorative paints, lacquers and metallic deposits. Can be solvent cemented. Limitation that polystyrene is easier to process than acrylics.
-Cost: Cheaper than cellulose propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. High impact acrylics claimed to be cheaper than polycarbonate. Limitation is that high cost than rigid transparent PVC and polystyrene.
-Food: Some grades suitable for contact with food.
*
I have had some unfortunate experiences with clear "plexi" or acrylic which became brittle when exposed to direct sunlight for a year or so. Check with the manufacturer to be sure the acrylic or polycarbonate you buy is resistant to UV degradation. Polycarbonate is unbreakable but extreme stress makes it become white and fiberous. It is also softer and more easily scratched than acrylic which is itself much more easily scratched than glass. You should probably consult an engineer to figure out the thickness you need based on how much stress your local code requires railing components to withstand
*
I'm building a 2nd story deck, and I'm wondering if it's acceptable to use acrylic panels (approx 3'x5' or 3'x6') for the railing(in wood framing).I'm thinking 3/8" thick.
Does anyone have any experience with this as opposed to tempered glass? I've heard that acrylic is clearer than glass, but will scratch more easily.
Any input greatly appreciated. Please reply to [email protected].