Acrylic is a useful, crystal clear plastic that resembles glass, but has properties that make it superior to glass in many ways. There are two basic types of acrylic - extruded and cell cast. Extruded or ‘continuous cast’ acrylic is less expensive, softer, scratches easier and may contain impurities. Cell cast acrylic is of higher quality and is often used for the best applications.

Cell cast acrylic is extensively used for display panels of gigantic public aquariums, side panels of swimming pools and water features in malls, making it a popular material for architecture and interior design industries.

Acrylic is stronger and makes half the weight of glass. Acrylic sheets can be cut, leveled, polished and even sawed, making it easier to work with whereas glass must be scored. Its strength makes it much more impact resistant and therefore safer. It insulates better than glass, potentially saving on heating bills.

The transparency rate of 93% makes acrylic the clearest material known, for very thick glass will have a green tint, while acrylic remains clear. It is also easy to shape, leaving no seams in its structures as chemical welding at the molecule level melts seams into one piece of solid material.

Today, virtually all major public aquariums build display tanks out of acrylic. Acrylic just over one inch thick (32mm) is bullet resistant. Presidential motorcades, teller and drive through window enclosures all feature bullet-resistant acrylic.

It may cost a little more than glass, but its sheer clarity, light weight and insulating properties make it an optimal choice for many applications.