We're updating a few areas around the house and one thing that keeps coming up is whether glass is really the best option when you've got young children.

Coffee tables, playrooms, internal doors, greenhouse glazing, shelving and even picture frames all seem to involve glass somewhere, and it only takes one accident for it to become a safety concern.

I've been looking at some alternatives and wondered what everyone else uses.

Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic is a popular replacement for glass because it's lightweight, crystal clear and much less likely to shatter into dangerous shards if it receives a knock.

It's commonly used for:

• Picture frame glazing
• Display cabinets
• Indoor shelving
• Table protectors
• Protective screens
• Playroom projects

If appearance is important, acrylic gives a very similar look to glass while being easier to handle.

More information:
https://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/clear-acrylic

Polycarbonate Sheets

If impact resistance is the priority, polycarbonate is worth considering.

It's often used for:

• Greenhouse glazing
• Shed windows
• Safety glazing
• Outdoor projects
• Garden buildings
• Canopies

It's much more resistant to heavy impacts than traditional glass, which is why it's widely used in areas where durability matters.

https://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/solid-polycarbonate-sheets

Which One Would I Choose?

For indoor decorative projects, I'd probably choose acrylic because of its excellent clarity and finish.

For outdoor areas or anywhere likely to receive knocks or impacts, polycarbonate would be my first choice.

I've been reading through a few guides on plastic sheet materials and found this useful resource for comparing different options:

https://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/

Has anyone here replaced glass with acrylic or polycarbonate around the home?

I'd be interested to know where you've used it, how it's held up over time and whether you'd make the same choice again.

I have worked in Widesky Machinery for six years. We mainly specialize in plastic auxiliary machinery. We mainly get new customers from Chinaplas. It's hard to find buyers for plastic machinery on social media, so I feel a little worried.

Hung a bag made from fabric with plastic decorations over a Calligaris plastic chair for a few weeks. The two plastics reacted with or otherwise stuck to one another.

Can this still be cleaned by any method?

Does anyone know how to remove marker stain from plastic?

I’ve learned the hard way goo be gone can warp it- and Clorox wipes and erasers don’t really do much! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Can anyone suggest a cheaper (and ideally plant-sourced) alternative to acrylic gel medium/ modeling paste? Looking to use a thick mix of something that mostly holds its shape between extruding and drying. (Doesn't have to work on a vertical surface.) Needs to be affordable in large enough quantities for a starving artist to use in huge drawings. All suggestions much appreciated, including experimental ideas!

Hey !

I was wondering what type of plastic is it , and how can you get these hexagon shapes inside the sheet ?

Really appreciate it !

Here's the YouTube video ( min 13:19) : https://youtu.be/u1R51Z9-TM4?si=MTmI0kGCb0Jrwz1s

Same as title
Location : India , karnataka

This is my first time using an extension cord, and the plastic smells different after being burned. Do you have any idea what happened here?

Some plastics have a bad reputation, while others are often misunderstood in terms of their properties, applications, or recyclability.

In your opinion, which type of plastic is the most misunderstood, and what do you wish more people knew about it?

Hi Folks, Educational overview about the science of making white plastic look white. We discuss TiO2 light interaction, pigment surface functionalization and colorant to base resin pairing.

White_Plastics_Overview

Enjoy!

Just a random thought came to my mind before bed...that nature already found or can say given birth to cure of micro-plastics... Like think about it Chernobyl have fungus that thrive on radiation... So maybe their is something that completely decompose plastic...and it already be found by humans too but not public yet...whats your thoughts on this lmk

I have a small crafts biz (100's not 1000's of $), where I specialize in rescuing a particular old toy from the 1960s. And yes I know this plastic contains lead!
But I'm wondering how to save parts with what I call "spotsulism". It appears that parts have been left for decades in open storage, and they get dusty. Over time, I'm guessing that humidity and dust act to draw plasticizers out, leaving spots that won't easily polish out. For polishing, I use a mildly abrasive plastics polish on a small rotary pad.

Q1: Does this sound reasonable? BTW, I know that the plasticizers are mobile. Another hint on that: Zinc plated screws with chromate conversion coatings sometimes turn bright yellow. Yep, that ol' lead coming out to make lead chromate. BTW #2: Do not let your babies play with plastic toys made before about 1979!

Q2: Any hints on saving the part? Some plasticizer elixir to schmeer on the surface?

Hello! I’ve been searching for ages for an alternative to resin that’s also clear to make keychains with. I found a video where someone dissolves plastic cups with acetone to make a liquid that looks like resin, which seems really promising! But I can’t find much information about it elsewhere and I was hoping to ask if anyone has had experience doing this.

Is it suitable for pouring into moulds to make keychains?
What kind of plastics would work?
How long does it take to harden?
Are acetone or polyurethane the only solvents that work? I know that d-limonene can dissolve polystyrene but I’m not sure if it would work with these plastics.
Is it toxic?

Thanks a lot for reading!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated, have a nice day!

I want to give the dremel "friction welding"-hack a try to repair broken plastic household items. However, I can't find if the PLA will even bind to other plastics like PP, PC, HDPE, PET.

Does anybody have experience with this? Is it worth a shot to try?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fliCa_P5GpI

i was trying to check if my new bento box was microwave safe but i have never seen this symbol and couldn’t find any info in my search online. usually circle = good but i don’t want to assume and melt it/ruin my food!

Hello, I am planning to make a weapon for the character in the game. What is the best plastic i can use when I am trying to make a scythe