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Sunroom Wall Material Comparison - Tempered Glass - PC - Plexiglass

Sunroom Wall Material Comparison - Tempered Glass - PC - Plexiglass

Sunroom Wall Material Comparison: Tempered Glass vs. Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic

Feature Tempered Glass Polycarbonate (PC) Acrylic (Plexiglass)
Clarity Excellent clarity, premium look Good, slight haze possible Very clear, glass-like
Strength & Safety 4–5× stronger than normal glass, shatters safely into blunt pieces Extremely impact-resistant (≈250× glass), will not shatter 10–20× stronger than glass, weaker than PC
Scratch Resistance Excellent (hard surface) Poor (scratches easily, unless coated) Poor (scratches easily)
UV / Weather Resistance No yellowing, very long-term stable Needs UV coating, otherwise yellows; good insulation if multiwall Yellows faster than PC unless UV-treated
Thermal Insulation R ~0.9–1.0 (single pane) R ~1.5–2.0 (multiwall) R ~0.7–0.9
Lifespan (yrs) 20–30+ 15–25 10–15
Weight Heavy Light Medium weight
Cost $$$ (highest) $$ (medium) $ (cheapest)
Estimated Market Premium 2.0–3.0 (baseline = acrylic = 1.0) 1.2–1.5 1.0 (baseline)
Best For Luxury sunrooms, premium appearance Safety, storm resistance, lightweight builds Budget builds, clear panels at low cost

 

  • Tempered Glass: Ideal for luxury sunrooms with premium appearance, maximum clarity, and long lifespan. Strong and scratch-resistant, but heavy and costly.

  • Polycarbonate (PC): Best for safety, storm resistance, and energy efficiency with lightweight builds. Excellent impact resistance and insulation, but prone to scratching unless coated.

  • Acrylic (Plexiglass): The most affordable option, offering clear panels with decent strength, but yellows and scratches faster than the other two materials. Suitable for budget-friendly projects.

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