For most museum and gallery projects in 2025, acrylic is the best overall choice. However, the decision in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG debate depends on specific needs.
Note: Glass offers superior scratch resistance and a premium feel. Meanwhile, PETG is a top option for high-impact educational areas with tight budgets.
This guide helps curators and designers confidently select the right material. It balances project safety, cost, and visual appeal to ensure a successful display.
Acrylic vs Glass vs PETG: Core Properties
Choosing the right material requires a clear understanding of its core properties. This section breaks down the key differences in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG comparison. Each material offers distinct advantages in specific areas.
Impact Resistance & Safety
Safety is a primary concern in any public space. Acrylic provides exceptional impact resistance. It is up to 17 times stronger than glass of the same thickness. This strength makes it the top choice for protecting valuable artifacts and ensuring visitor safety. PETG also offers excellent durability and is a strong alternative to acrylic. Glass, especially standard plate glass, is the most fragile and poses a significant safety risk upon shattering.
The following table shows how these materials compare in a standardized impact test.
Material | Falling Ball Impact Strength (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|
0.250" Thick Plate Glass | 1.0 |
0.250" Thick Tempered Glass | 15.5-29.1 |
0.250" Acrylic Sheet | 18.1 |
Safety Note: For public displays, materials should meet safety glazing standards like ANSI Z97.1. Partnering with certified suppliers ensures that your chosen material complies with these important regulations.
Optical Clarity & Viewing Experience
A display's primary job is to present an object clearly. Museum-grade acrylic and glass offer a superior viewing experience. They can achieve over 99% light transmission with anti-reflective coatings, making the glazing virtually invisible. Standard acrylic has a refractive index of 1.49, which gives it a brilliant, clear appearance.
PETG is less clear than acrylic and is not typically used for high-end displays. Low-iron glass offers excellent clarity with 91.5% light transmission, but it can still produce more glare than coated acrylic. Protecting artifacts from light damage is also crucial. Different materials offer varying levels of UV protection.
Material Type | UV Blocking Percentage |
|---|---|
Standard Acrylic | 98% |
UV-filtering Acrylic | 92% (e.g., Artglass™ UV) |
Laminated Glass | 99% (e.g., Artglass™ Protect) |
Weight & Installation
Material weight directly impacts installation complexity and structural needs. Acrylic is the clear winner for lightweight applications.
Acrylic weighs roughly half as much as glass. A 6mm glass panel weighs about 15 kilograms per square meter.
PETG has a density of 1.27 g/cc, making it slightly heavier than acrylic (1.19 g/cc).
The lighter weight of acrylic can reduce structural steel requirements by up to 30%.
This weight difference makes acrylic easier and safer to handle, especially for large vitrines or movable displays. Glass installations are more complex, often requiring specialized teams and reinforced structures. Acrylic does expand and contract with temperature changes, so installers must leave small expansion gaps in frames to prevent warping.
Feature | Acrylic Panels | Glass Panels |
|---|---|---|
Weight | Lighter, easier to handle | Heavier, requires more support |
Installation | Quicker and simpler | Complex, often needs a specialized team |
Structural Support | Less reinforcement needed | Often requires steel reinforcement |
Scratch Resistance
Durability against daily wear and tear is a key factor in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG debate. Glass offers the best scratch resistance. Borosilicate glass has a Mohs hardness rating of 5.5, making it very difficult to scratch. This quality makes it ideal for high-touch surfaces like countertops.
Acrylic is more prone to scratching than glass. However, minor scratches on acrylic are repairable.
Tip for Acrylic Repair: For light scratches, apply a plastic polish like Novus 2 with a microfiber cloth. Rub in a circular motion until the scratch fades. Finish with a cleaner like Novus 1 to restore the shine.
PETG has the softest surface of the three materials. It scratches more easily than acrylic and is not recommended for high-contact areas.
Cost & Budget
Budget often dictates material choice. PETG is the most budget-friendly option, making it perfect for projects where cost is the primary concern. Acrylic is generally more affordable than glass. The savings extend beyond the material itself to fabrication and installation.
Museum-grade materials with special coatings carry a higher price tag.
Type of Material | Estimated Cost Per Square Foot (USD) |
|---|---|
Basic UV Filtering (Acrylic or Glass) | $20 – $50 |
Laminated Conservation Glass (Museum Grade) | $175 – $250+ |
Long-term maintenance costs also favor acrylic. A study by the Display Industry Association found that businesses switching to acrylic cases reduced annual maintenance costs by an average of 28%. Acrylic requires simple cleaning, while glass displays may need regular maintenance for hinges and seals.
Fabrication & Design Flexibility
Design possibilities vary greatly between materials. Acrylic and PETG offer far more flexibility than glass.
Bending: PETG is the easiest to heat-bend, requiring lower temperatures (around 325°F) than acrylic. This makes it ideal for creating complex curves.
Cutting: Acrylic can be easily cut, routed, and machined into intricate shapes using standard tools.
Bonding: Strong, clear bonds are achievable for acrylic-to-acrylic construction using solvent cements like Weldon #4 or adhesive sheets.
Glass fabrication is much more limited. Tempered glass, for instance, cannot be cut or shaped after the tempering process. This restriction makes it nearly impossible to create complex or custom designs with glass. The debate over Acrylic vs glass vs PETG often ends here for projects requiring unique forms.
2025 Application Guide
Making the right choice in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG debate comes down to the specific application. This guide provides clear scenarios to help curators and designers select the perfect material for their project's unique demands.
When to Use Acrylic: Clarity & Safety
Galleries should choose acrylic for displaying high-value and light-sensitive artifacts. Its superior UV-filtering capabilities protect delicate items from light damage. The material's exceptional impact resistance also provides top-tier security for priceless objects. Acrylic is the clear winner for any large or movable vitrines. Its low weight significantly reduces structural support needs and makes installation safer and easier.
Traveling exhibitions especially benefit from acrylic's lightweight properties. A lighter case is easier to transport and set up, reducing both labor costs and risks. The following table shows the manageable weight of common acrylic display boxes.
Material Thickness | Item | Empty Weight (12" cube) | Load Capacity (distributed across base) |
|---|---|---|---|
1/2" | Acrylic Display Box | 8.3 lbs | 45-50 lbs |
1/4" | Acrylic Display Box | 4.1 lbs | N/A |
Pro Tip: 💡 Use acrylic for any overhead glazing or large vertical panels. Its shatter-resistant nature and light weight are critical safety features in these applications.
When to Use Glass: Durability & Premium Feel
Designers should specify glass for permanent, high-traffic surfaces. Its unmatched scratch resistance makes it the most durable option for areas with frequent public contact. This includes museum countertops, ticketing windows, and fixed, high-touch display cases. The inherent hardness of glass ensures it maintains a pristine appearance for years, even with constant cleaning and interaction.
The decision in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG comparison often favors glass when a premium aesthetic is non-negotiable. Glass provides a classic, high-end feel that many institutions prefer for their permanent installations.
Consider the Trade-Off: While glass offers superior hardness, it is heavy and difficult to fabricate. Its use is best reserved for simple, flat applications where its weight can be properly supported and custom shapes are not required.
When to Use PETG: Budget & High-Impact Zones
PETG is the ideal material for projects that demand high durability on a tight budget. It is an excellent choice for hands-on environments. Curators can use PETG for interactive children's museum exhibits, educational science labs, and protective barriers in high-traffic zones. Its impressive impact strength withstands rough handling, making it a safe and reliable option around younger audiences.
The cost-effectiveness of PETG also makes it a top contender for temporary installations. The final choice in the Acrylic vs glass vs PETG discussion is simple when budget is the main driver. PETG offers a practical solution without a major financial investment. Common uses include:
Temporary indoor signage
Point-of-purchase displays
Protective shields and guards
Its flexibility and ease of fabrication allow for quick production of custom items for pop-up events or short-term exhibits.
Choosing the right material is simple with this guide. Acrylic offers the best balance of clarity and safety for most professional displays. Designers should choose glass when scratch resistance and a premium feel are absolute priorities. PETG remains the go-to for durable, cost-effective solutions in interactive or educational zones.
Decision-makers can weigh these strengths against project demands. A 5-year cost simulation often shows acrylic is more economical than glass when including maintenance and potential replacement costs, making it a smart long-term investment.
FAQ
How should each material be cleaned?
Cleaners should use a soft microfiber cloth for all materials.
Acrylic & PETG: Use mild soap and water or a special plastic cleaner. Avoid ammonia-based products like Windex, which can cause damage.
Glass: Standard glass cleaners work well.
Which material best protects art from sunlight?
Acrylic offers the best built-in UV protection. Standard acrylic sheets block up to 98% of harmful UV rays. This feature helps prevent fading and damage to light-sensitive artifacts. Special UV-filtering glass is also available but often costs more.
What is the most expensive option for a museum display?
Museum-grade laminated glass is typically the most expensive material. Its complex manufacturing process and heavy weight increase both material and installation costs. PETG is the most budget-friendly choice, while acrylic offers a middle-ground price point.
Can scratches be removed from these materials?
Repair options vary by material. Experts can easily polish and buff out light scratches from acrylic surfaces to restore their clarity.
Note: Scratches on glass and PETG are generally permanent. Replacing the panel is often the only solution for significant marks on these materials.
See Also
Comparing Acrylic, Glass, and PETG for Optimal Countertop Applications
Acrylic's Superiority Over Glass: A Transparent Decision for Displays
Your Comprehensive 2025 Guide to Custom Acrylic Display Solutions
Discover Why Acrylic Is the Best Choice for Protecting Collectibles
Acrylic's Dominance Over Glass: Shaping the Future of Exhibit Design
