The Ultimate Guide to Acrylic Sheets (Plexiglass) – 2025 Edition
Introduction: Why Acrylic Sheets Remain One of Canada’s Most Popular Plastics
Acrylic sheet — also called Plexiglass, Plexi, PMMA, or Polymethyl Methacrylate — is one of the most widely used transparent plastics in Canada. Known for its crystal-clear optics, excellent UV resistance, and lightweight strength, acrylic is a top choice for signage, displays, glazing, sneeze guards, lighting, aquariums, retail fixtures, and architectural installations.
Whether used in commercial spaces, industrial settings, or residential construction, acrylic delivers exceptional clarity, rigidity, and weatherability. This guide provides a complete, Canadian-focused technical overview of acrylic sheet performance, fabrication, and applications — ideal for contractors, designers, engineers, and purchasing teams.
What Is Acrylic? (Definition, Chemistry & Advantages)
Acrylic (PMMA) is an optically clear thermoplastic made from methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers. Unlike polycarbonate, acrylic is a harder, glossier material with superior scratch resistance and a glass-like appearance.
Key Advantages of Acrylic
- Outstanding clarity (92% light transmission) — clearer than most glass
- Excellent UV resistance
- Better scratch resistance than polycarbonate
- Low weight (about 50% lighter than glass)
- Rigid, structurally stable material
- Good chemical resistance
- Outdoor durability without yellowing
- Highly machinable and easy to thermoform
Because of its clarity and rigidity, acrylic is often the preferred choice for displays, signage, protective barriers, and decorative components.
Physical & Mechanical Properties of Acrylic Sheet
Below are typical properties for cell-cast acrylic, the standard premium grade used in Canada:
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Light Transmission | 92% (highest of any clear plastic) |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ |
| Rockwell Hardness | M105 |
| Tensile Strength | ≈ 70 MPa |
| Flexural Strength | ≈ 90 MPa |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | ≈ 95–105°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | ≈ 80°C |
| UV Resistance | Excellent (no yellowing) |
| Impact Strength | ≈ 8 kJ/m² (about 10× stronger than glass) |
Acrylic is harder but more brittle than polycarbonate — a key deciding factor in material selection.
Acrylic Sheet Types Available in Canada
Acrylic comes in multiple manufacturing grades:
1. Cell-Cast Acrylic (Best Quality)
- Superior optical clarity
- Best scratch resistance
- Most stable and machinable
- Ideal for signage, displays, aquariums, barriers
2. Extruded Acrylic (Cost-Effective)
- Lower cost
- Softer surface
- Thermoforms more easily
- Ideal for POP displays, indoor glazing, prototypes
3. Specialty Acrylic Grades
- UV-blocking for outdoor exposure
- Impact-modified acrylic (higher toughness)
- Mirror acrylic
- Non-glare matte acrylic
- Color-tinted acrylic
- Frosted / textured acrylic
- Light-diffusing acrylic for LEDs
PolyDX Plastic can supply all standard sheet types, plus cut-to-size services.
Acrylic vs Polycarbonate: Which Should You Choose?.
| Characteristic | Acrylic (Plexiglass) | Polycarbonate (Lexan) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Good (≈10× glass) | Excellent (≈250× glass) |
| Scratch Resistance | Better | Moderate |
| Clarity | 92% – highest clarity | ≈ 88–90% |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| DIY Cutting | Easier | Harder |
| UV Resistance | Excellent | Requires UV coating |
| Impact Resistance | Moderate | Very high |
| Heat Forming | Easy | Requires precise control |
Choose Acrylic When:
- Optical clarity is the top priority
- Scratch resistance matters
- A rigid, glossy surface is required
- Cost needs to be minimized
- Used in signage, displays, windows, retail fixtures
Choose Polycarbonate When:
- Impact resistance is essential
- Safety glazing is required
- The material must be virtually unbreakable
Applications: What Acrylic Sheets Are Used For in Canada
Acrylic is one of the most versatile plastics available, used across dozens of industries.
Architecture & Construction
- Window glazing
- Sound barriers
- Skylights
- Interior partitions
Commercial & Retail
- Signage and channel letters
- Point-of-purchase (POP) displays
- Sneeze guards
- Retail fixtures
- Menu boards
Industrial
- Machine guards (light-duty)
- Sight windows
- Equipment covers
Recreational
- Boat windshields
- RV windows
- Trophy cases
Specialty
- Aquariums
- Furniture
- Art installations
Acrylic combines function and aesthetics, which is why it’s widely used in design-driven applications.
Fabrication Guide: Cutting, Machining & Forming Acrylic
Cutting
- Table saw
- CNC router
- Laser cutting (excellent edge finish)
- Score-and-snap for thin sheets
Laser cutting is a major advantage acrylic has over polycarbonate — PC burns and browns, while acrylic laser cuts cleanly with a polished edge.
Machining
- Drilling
- Edge polishing
- Milling
- Bonding with specialty adhesives
Forming
Acrylic thermoforms extremely well:
- Bending temperature: ≈140–165°C
- Vacuum forming
- Drape forming over molds and jigs
Bonding
Acrylic typically uses solvent cements such as:
- Weld-On 3
- Weld-On 4
- Weld-On 16
These create a crystal-clear chemical weld, ideal for displays, boxes, and aquariums.
Standard Thicknesses & Sheet Sizes (Canada)
Typical thicknesses include:
- 1.5 mm (1/16”)
- 3 mm (1/8”)
- 4.5 mm (3/16”)
- 6 mm (1/4”)
- 10 mm
- 12 mm
- Up to 25 mm for specialty structural or aquarium applications
Standard sheet sizes:
- 48″ × 96″ (4′ × 8′)
- Other formats on request depending on supplier and grade
PolyDX Plastic offers cut-to-size acrylic sheets, so you don’t need to buy full sheets if your project requires precise panel dimensions.
Regulatory & Industry Standards
Acrylic sheets can meet or be compatible with several recognized standards:
- ASTM D4802 – Standard specification for acrylic plastic sheet
- UL 94 HB – Horizontal burn classification
- CAN/CGSB 12.20 – Safety glazing materials for buildings (depending on grade)
- ASTM D638 – Tensile properties of plastics
- ANSI Z97.1 – Safety glazing materials used in buildings (impact-modified or specific grades)
For projects in regulated environments, PolyDX Plastic can help you identify acrylic sheet options that align with your compliance requirements.
Where to Buy Acrylic Sheets in Canada
Across Montreal, Laval, Quebec, Toronto, and Ottawa, acrylic sheets are available from:
- Plastic distributors
- Fabrication shops
- Industrial supply companies
- Specialty sign and display suppliers
Acrylic Sheets from PolyDX Plastic (Montreal)
PolyDX Plastic supplies a wide range of acrylic sheet products, including:
- Clear acrylic sheets
- Tinted and coloured acrylic
- Frosted and matte acrylic
- Mirror acrylic
- LED light-diffusing acrylic
- Impact-modified acrylic grades (where available)
- Cut-to-size services
- CNC cutting and routing
- Bending, polishing and simple assemblies
Material can be prepared for pickup in the Montreal area or shipped across Canada, depending on quantity and format.
Conclusion
Acrylic sheet (Plexiglass) is one of the most reliable and versatile transparent plastics available today. With superior clarity, excellent scratch resistance, strong outdoor durability, and easy fabrication, acrylic is the material of choice for countless architectural, industrial, retail, and creative applications across Canada.
Whether you need displays, glazing, protective barriers, signage, or custom-fabricated components, acrylic provides an unbeatable combination of performance and aesthetics.
PolyDX Plastic supplies premium acrylic sheets, cut-to-size services, and value-added fabrication for clients across Montreal, Laval, Quebec and the rest of Canada.
External Resources
To learn more about Acrylic sheets, check out this comprehensive Acrylic Sheet Overview on Wikipedia.
Related Pages
Updated November 26th, 2025