Want to choose furniture that provides a shiny and alluring look? Analyze acrylic vs glass furniture to understand what could be the best choice.
The interiors of your room or outdoor space reflect your tastes and preferences.
If you are interested in elegant and stylish furniture, it is essential to stay updated on the latest trends in interior design and furniture.
Today, most designers and businesses prefer acrylic and glass furniture to elevate the look of their homes or office spaces. However, there is always a query on which is better, acrylic vs glass furniture.
When comparing acrylic and glass furniture, both are attractive in terms of their looks. Acrylic is manufactured as an alternative to glass material.
Yet, there are places using either one or both materials for their furniture. The key is to determine which material best suits your needs, location, and the surrounding environment.
From this article, we will compare acrylic and glass furniture and see the pros and cons of either material.
Then, you can evaluate which materials suit your requirements the best.
What is Acrylic Furniture?
The furniture pieces are made of thick, high-grade, unbreakable acrylic thermoplastic.
Such furniture items were first manufactured in the 1960s and used in Western countries to give a classy and rich look to homes.
Chandeliers, dining tables, decorative pieces, etc., used to deck up several hallways and rooms of mansions.
Today, you can find acrylic furniture gracing several homes, offices, hotels, and events.
- Office chairs laminated with a brand logo,
- Transparent storage racks in shops,
- Glass-like dining tables at home,
- Attractive bar cabinets and many more furniture pieces are available in acrylic.
Acrylic Furniture Advantage
Acrylic is a transparent material that allows light to pass through with a unique sheen. This property makes it look just like glasses but without fear of breaking!
Acrylic is a durable and long-lasting material that can withstand a weight of 30 times more than what glasses can.
Comparatively, acrylic is light in weight to carry or move around with ease.
Also, acrylic is recyclable and manufactured in an environment-friendly process.
So, even if you feel furniture is out of trend,
— You can replace it with a trendy option without leaving a carbon footprint.
These acrylic furniture benefits make them a versatile choice for use in any indoor or outdoor space in any lighting.
Disadvantages of Furniture’s Made in Acrylic
With rough and regular use, acrylic does not break. But it is prone to scratches.
Buffing out or clearing deep scratches may sometimes require a professional treatment. So, acrylic furniture must not come in contact with sharp objects.
Similarly, a poor grade of acrylic can get yellow over time.
This yellowing happens due to using the wrong cleaning products, harsh chemicals, or exposure to UV rays.
For this reason, it is recommended to cover acrylic furniture when not in use. Or you may bring them indoors if they are exposed to harsh sunlight.
What is Glass Furniture?
Furniture made of glasses has been popular since medieval times. You must have seen a lot of period films showing high glass chandeliers, long dining tables, glass chairs, thrones, etc, in all their glory.
Glass furniture pieces are known for the wide variety of designs that can be created on their surfaces.
Frosted, tempered, tinted, or colored designs elevate the look of plain glass and make it attractive for the viewer.
When you compare acrylic vs glass furniture, glass items are often designed to be strikingly attractive standalone pieces.
Plain storage or display cases, flower vases, coffee tables, etc, are some popular furniture items made of glass.
Glass Furniture Advantages
Nothing can beat the original quality of glass and its unique radiance when light falls on it. It is easy to manufacture glass and provides a timeless look.
Glass always maintains its natural look and does not change color over time. It is resistant to chemicals and can always retain a clean look with regular cleaning.
Designs and paintings on glass last a lifetime, which shows us why modern homes still use glass as part of their interior spaces.
Disadvantages of Glass Furniture
The biggest concern in acrylic vs glass furniture comes with the fact that glasses are breakable.
Placing heavy loads or any fast action directed toward glass furniture can cause the glass to shatter. There goes all your money and dreams!
Also, glass is much heavier than acrylic. Moving a piece of furniture requires utmost care and concern.
Cleaning glass surfaces is also a challenge. Fingerprint marks and cleaning them safely every time can be difficult for the users.
Even a small force or mistake can cause the glass to crack or break while cleaning.
Which is Better – Acrylic vs Glass Furniture?
While there are not many visible differences between acrylic and glass furniture, there are some areas where acrylic outperforms glass and vice versa.
We came across some glass furniture advantages. But their cons are more than the benefits.
So, let us look at some basic properties and factors that will help us evaluate the differences between acrylic and glass furniture.
Aspect 1: Aesthetics
Both glass and acrylic have an aesthetic and pleasing appearance. It shimmer and radiance thanks to its transparency, making it undoubtedly the best material compared to others.
The best of glass furniture advantages is its ever-lasting sheen and aesthetic appeal.
Many depend on the quality of glasses and acrylic used for furniture.
For instance, poor-quality glasses may lose their shine or appear discolored. It has been coated with any chemicals. Similarly, poor-grade acrylic can turn yellow over time.
Aspect 2: Durability
It is a well-known fact that glass will break at a certain threshold or force. Harsh usage in houses with kids or pets can damage glass furniture, leading to cracks or breakage at least once.
In general, glass is suitable only in places where furniture pieces are meant for visual appeal and minimal human contact/usage.
In the battle of acrylic vs glass furniture, acrylic appears as a durable choice thanks to its breakage resistance. Acrylic can withstand 30 times the weight of glasses of the same thickness.
Aspect 3: Customization
In this acrylic and glass furniture comparison factor, we can say that both materials can be customized according to user preference.
You can carve, frost, color, tint, and add even digitally printed designs or logos on their surfaces.
However, it is easier and cheaper to do the above processes in acrylic without compromising the quality and visual appeal.
No wonder many brands, offices, and shops are getting customized furniture with their logo printed in acrylic material.
Aspect 4: Maintenance
Due to its susceptibility to breakage, cleaning and maintaining glasses is like walking on a tightrope.
High skill and patience are required to clean the glass regularly. Moreover, even a single fingerprint mark can blur and spoil the appeal of glass.
Acrylic is also difficult to maintain. But it can be polished and cleaned easily without fear of breakage.
Cleaning with a simple soap solution and microfiber cloth is sufficient. Unlike glass, acrylic does not require any special chemical cleaners for regular cleaning.
Aspect 5: Cost
Most glass furniture comes in tempered, frosted, or tinted designs. These processes are laborious and hence increase the cost.
So, when comparing the cost of acrylic vs glass furniture, acrylic emerges as cheaper and more affordable.
This cost reduction in acrylic is due to the minimal effort required to produce the same designs, cuts, laminates, or frosting.
Also, thicker glass variants cost more than the highest grade of acrylic.
Aspect 5: Environmental Impact
When evaluating the pros and cons of acrylic vs glass furniture, a negative point is the toxic emissions in the manufacturing of glass.
The melting of glass releases high amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, making it environment unfriendly.
In contrast, acrylic is completely recyclable any number of times. Acrylic plastic is manufactured in an eco-friendly process without any toxic emissions.
If you are unhappy with a furniture design, you can get it replaced with a trendy model.
You can be assured that you won’t leave any traces of carbon footprint.
Aspect 6: Safety Considerations
Acrylic is a safer alternative to glass. Acrylic was developed with the very motive of keeping users safe from breakage, as a replacement for glass.
Carrying furniture from place to place is lighter and easier with acrylic. Less manual labor is required for portability.
On the other hand, glass requires more hands to lift similar-looking but heavier furniture. Accidental drops or slips can lead to breakage and a huge loss of money.
Aspect 7: Weight
One of the biggest acrylic furniture benefits is its ability to handle higher weight than glass.
But unlike glass, it is lighter in weight to carry and transport. Either way, acrylic provides you with a win-win situation.
Thick glass furniture is heavier to carry. Acrylic furniture often comes in pieces, making it easy to arrange or dismantle during transportation.
However, glass furniture mostly comes in whole pieces or parts. Glass furniture requires professional assistance for assembling and dismantling.
Aspect 8: Resistance (Impact and Scratch)
Both glass and acrylic furniture are prone to scratches. Hence, it is often advised to clear or buff up small scratches then and there before they develop deeper.
Acrylic scratch removal requires a manufacturer-approved routine. On the other hand, most glass cleaners help you get rid of scratches on glass upon buffing and wiping.
In terms of forceful impacts, like placing a heavy weight fast or throwing or hitting furniture with objects,
— Glass furniture is more vulnerable to breakage.
Aspect 9: Ease of Cleaning
In the cleaning ease of acrylic vs glass furniture, acrylic emerges as a winner. There is always a fear of breakage when a naive person handles glass furniture.
Daily use can cause glass furniture to lose its sheen and become clouded with fingerprints and sweat stains.
Acrylic relieves the fear of accidental breakage or damage while cleaning. Even a nonexpert can start cleaning acrylic furniture without a huge learning curve.
Cleaning is also easier and faster in acrylic. A few sprays of simple soap solution and wiping with a microfiber cloth is more than enough.
Ammonia and other chemical-based glass cleaners are not necessary for acrylic.
Let’s Make the Decision – Acrylic or Glass Furniture
In the acrylic vs glass furniture comparison, we came across, you must have a clear idea about the pros and cons of either material.
So, what is your choice? Acrylic or glass furniture?
- When it comes to glass material, it offers eternal shine and the most captivating appearance. However, the most disadvantage is its fragile nature.
- Acrylic furniture, on the other hand, lasts long but can lose its aesthetic appeal due to cracks, rough use, and improper maintenance.
So, here we have a checklist to help you decide better from the acrylic and glass furniture comparison.
- How is the intended usage – a routine basis or as a showcase piece? Acrylic furniture suits smooth daily usage, while glass is the best suited for pieces like chandeliers.
- Do you have budget constraints? If yes, acrylic is a good choice.
- Is your house having kids or pets? Avoid glass showpieces too.
- Want lightweight portable furniture? Acrylic is the winner.
- Would you prefer self-maintenance or maintenance by a professional regularly? Acrylic is easier to maintain.
So, assess these factors and then decide on whether you would prefer acrylic or glass furniture.
Conclusion
From this article, you will have seen the visually appealing world of glass and acrylic furniture. We also saw a comprehensive comparison of acrylic vs glass furniture.
Both glass and acrylic furniture are visually appealing. However, acrylic does away with the breakage fear in glass, as it is highly durable yet light in weight.
Moreover, acrylic provides the look and shine of glass, along with the sturdiness of metal and wood. Either way, acrylic gives you a win-win situation.
Care and regular maintenance are mandatory for both acrylic and glass furniture. So, connect with your manufacturers regarding the maintenance routines to follow periodically.
For more information on acrylic furniture, you may visit our previous blogs on the same topic. You can also look at our catalog and connect with us for any customized requirements.
FAQ: Acrylic vs Glass Furniture
Although acrylic and glass look the same, acrylic does not break easily like glass. Acrylic is a durable and long-lasting material that handles several times more weight than glass. Also, the weight of acrylic is lighter compared to glass. Acrylic is eco-friendlier, budget-friendly, and easy to maintain.
When comparing acrylic vs glass furniture of the same thickness, acrylic is more durable. It is because acrylic is a thermoplastic manufactured by industrially pressing several layers of high-grade thermoplastic sheets. By nature, acrylic can withstand more weight while itself being lightweight.
For regular maintenance, it is sufficient if you clean your acrylic surfaces with a few spritzes of soap solution and wipe it off dry with a microfiber cloth. Avoid using any glass cleaners on acrylic as chemicals like ammonia can react with the surfaces. Glass may require the use of specialized cleaners to retain the shine. One must be more careful while coming in contact with glass surfaces due to their fragile nature.
Yes! Acrylic furniture can be polished with a coat of anti-scratch coating and used in houses with children and pets. This way, you have sturdy furniture and no need to worry about scratches on surfaces caused by kids and pets.
For those looking to invest in furniture one time, acrylic will solve your purpose. Acrylic furniture is budget-friendly while also lasting longer. There is no risk of breakage as is associated with glass furniture. To sum up, glass furniture is mostly used for luxury, while acrylic furniture pieces are cost-effective alternatives.
