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This article suggests that it's better to make windows of than glass. So why are windows not made of plastic as we speak, very often?
by Blikkentrekker 6y ago
This article suggests that it's better to make windows of than glass.
So why are windows not made of plastic as we speak, very often?
- bagacrap 6y agoScratch prone?
- AmericanChopper 6y agoA plastic window would need to be quite thick to be as rigid as a glass window. A plastic window would also scratch more readily, and it would likely degrade in the sun (become translucent rather than transparent). It’s not obvious to me that this wooden material somehow wouldn’t have the same problems.
- blacksqr 6y agoBecause the UV wavelengths in sunlight discolor and degrade most plastics over time. Which raises the question of whether the same thing happens with this product, and if not, why not.
- akiselev 6y agoThey are - plexiglass. It’s just more expensive so only worth it for the shatter resistance at i.e. banks or stores in bad neighborhoods.
- jfim 6y agoLexan (polycarbonate) is actually used for that purpose. Plexiglas (acrylic) is also transparent, but not as resistant to impacts.
- sudosysgen 6y agoPlastic is more expensive, easily scratchable, and isn't as rigid as glass. Glass makes a lot more sense unless there is a very high risk of it shattering.
- thysultan 6y agoPlastic is more expensive?
- giantg2 6y agoThe last time (before the pandemic even) I looked at glass and acrylic/polycarbonate sheets for a project, the glass was cheaper for a similar size. Maybe there are other plastics out there that are cheaper, but I'm not sure that they are suited for similar use. If they are suited to this type of use and are cheaper, then someone can make a good fortune if with the right marketing.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- anfilt 6y agoAlso plastics scratch more easily. Something like plexy glass also breaks pretty easily similar to normal glass. Poly carbonate is much stronger but also quite expensive even when compared to normal glass. It also scratches easily.
- willyt 6y agoAlso because plastic gets scratched easily by dust blown in the wind, after about 10-15 years you can’t see through it.