DIY Projects with Acrylic Plastic

Here at Honest Steel, we like to champion DIYers and DIY home improvement projects. Our focus is on helping customers achieve affordable and easy DIY projects that will stand the test of time - and that's where acrylic plastic comes in.

Acrylic - also known by the trade names Perspex, Plexiglass, and PMMA - is our most popular plastic material. It is a cost-effective and easy-to-work-with material, available in a range of colors, or as clear-as-glass, as well as several finishes and thicknesses. We manufacture ours using Plexiglass routing to give you the best cut-to-size and shape results.

Primarily, acrylic acts as the perfect replacement for glass in a range of home improvements, due to its affordability and characteristics. In this guide, we are going to discuss the benefits of acrylic plastic, as well as provide you with some suggestions on how to use this material in your home. If you're looking to learn more about acrylic (and save on future renovation projects), then this is the guide for you!

The Benefits of Acrylic

Strength: Acrylic is ten times stronger than glass. This added durability means that the plastic performs better than glass in a wide range of scenarios, such as indoor and outdoor glazing, and as a mirror. Acrylic is weatherproof, unaffected by sun or salt spray.
Lightweight: Even though it is more durable than glass, acrylic is half the weight, making it an incredibly easy material to work with. It is also lighter than other popular clear plastics like polycarbonate. Keep in mind that polycarbonate is 250 times stronger than glass, so it's best to consider which plastic is ideal for your project.
Shatterproof: Acrylic is unlikely to break. If it does, it will not shatter into tiny shards like glass – instead, it shatters into a few larger, dull pieces, making it safer to clean up and handle, especially around children.
Clarity: Acrylic is actually clearer than glass! Acrylic plastic lets around 92% of visible light through, while glass allows about 90%. This makes acrylic a great choice for glazing and windows.

Different Types of Acrylic

Acrylic is available in clear as well as a wide variety of tints and colors. It can also be mirrored or opaque. There are two main types of acrylic: extruded and cast. Cast acrylic is harder and more resistant to scratches due to the way it's manufactured.

Acrylic also comes in different grades to suit various manufacturing processes, offering varying levels of heat resistance, light transmission, impact strength, and other characteristics. If your business needs acrylic for a manufacturing or engineering project, talk to our team to find out which is best for you.

Acrylic can also be coated for additional characteristics like scratch resistance, anti-fogging, glare reduction, and solar reflectivity. Popular brands include Polycast, Lucite, Plexiglass, and Perspex. Check out our acrylic range to find the right material for your project!

Working with Acrylic

Acrylic can be cut, drilled, machined, softened, and bent to almost any shape. Being half the weight of glass, it's easy to handle. Here are the key aspects of working with acrylic:

Working Temperatures for Acrylic

Acrylic sheets can be used in temperatures from -30ºF (-24ºC) to +200ºF (93ºC). However, it's recommended to keep continuous use below 160ºF (71ºC) and short-term use below 190ºF (88ºC). When cutting sheets over 6mm thick or drilling sheets over 4mm thick, use water as a coolant.

How to Cut Acrylic Sheets

You can cut acrylic at home using common tools like knives, table saws, hand saws, or power saws. The tool choice depends on the type and thickness of the acrylic sheet and the desired shape. If you prefer, we can cut and shape acrylic for you. For DIY cutting, refer to our detailed guide.

How to Drill Acrylic Sheets

For best results, use drills designed for plastics. Proper technique, care, and a correctly ground drill bit can give good results with standard drills. Carbide-tipped circular saw blades and router bits designed for acrylic work best.

How to Finish Acrylic Edges

To smooth and square off edges, scrape along the cut edge with a clean, sharp tool, then file with a clean, smooth-cut file, working in one direction. Filing at an angle and keeping the file flat on the surface prevents unwanted grooves.

How to Polish Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic’s transparency can be polished to a high shine using sandpaper or a suitable paste. See our guide on cleaning acrylic for more details.

How to Bend and Form Acrylic

When heated, acrylic can be bent into almost any shape. Special equipment is often needed, but simple bends can be done with a strip heater. Please note, always work in a well-ventilated space and avoid using a kitchen oven.

Cleaning Acrylic

Acrylic should be cleaned with a soft cloth, mild soap, and lukewarm water. Avoid scourers, chemical cleaners, or solvents like acetone. Grease or oil can be removed with hexane or kerosene.

Uses of Acrylic

Acrylic is widely used as a glass replacement in homes and commercial spaces. Here are some popular uses:

Furniture Protection: Acrylic sheets are a safer and lighter alternative to glass for covering furniture surfaces.
Coloured Splashbacks: Acrylic splashbacks are an easy, grout-free, and affordable way to add color to kitchens or bathrooms.
Cabinet Doors: Acrylic is a durable alternative to glass for kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.
Picture Frames: Acrylic sheets are lighter and more durable than glass for picture frames.
Wall Shelves: Acrylic shelves are a cost-effective and durable option compared to glass and plywood.
Mirrored Furniture: Create custom mirrored furniture with mirrored acrylic sheets.

How to Join Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic sheets can be joined using capillary or viscous cementing techniques, depending on the fit and joint type. Follow detailed steps for best results.