Acrylic Chairs, Acrylic Coffee Table, Acrylic Desk, Acrylic Tables

The Difference Between Plastic and Acrylic Furniture

Monaco acrylic chair 340

Are you up to speed with the latest furniture trend? Introducing acrylic furniture. A common misconception with this type of furniture that acrylic furniture is the same as plastic. It is not! Muniz is here to set the record straight. Plastic vs acrylic furniture has many differences that we are here to shine some light on. Based out of Texas, we are available nationally online. We can sell acrylic chairs anywhere! Contact us today!

 

Acrylic VS Glass

Acrylic is so much easier to repair than glass. You can simply just buff out a scratch and regain the beauty of the furniture. It is not as brittle as glass, either. Whenever you drop something made of glass, chances are it will shatter. When you are dealing with acrylics, you don’t have to worry so much about damaging it. It is extremely durable. Clear acrylic is a thermoplastic with the look of glass and the useful benefit of shatter resistance.

 

Plastic vs Acrylic

With so many options for clear plastic on the market, including acrylic chairs, it is no surprise that lots of people misunderstand the differences between the types. Each type is made in a different way using different materials, which results in many different price points. However, the best choice when dealing with acrylic and plastic is to always choose acrylic.

 

While acrylic is a plastic, not all plastic is acrylic. The term “acrylic” represents a family of petroleum-based thermoplastics made from the derivation of natural gas. Another common name for acrylic is “polyacrylate” which is one of the most common types. This material is made from Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), Poly Methyl Methacrylate, or a combination of both.

 

What Are Some Other Types of Plastics?

 

  • Injection molded polystyrene is an aromatic polymer made from a chemically bonded monomer styrene. Polystyrene is usually thinner and more brittle than acrylic, but it is cheaper than other plastics. Because the material is made using a mold, it can have relief markings and also a blue haze effect when removed. Because of this reason, it is not the best product to preserve collectibles and use for showcases. Many low-cost consumer goods are made from this injection molded polystyrene.

 

  • Polycarbonate is yet another type of thermoplastic polymer used in manufacturing. This clear plastic is typically more expensive than acrylic and polystyrene, but it is extremely strong. Many people associate polycarbonate with “bullet-proof glass” because it is the same material used to make armored windows in government motorcade vehicles as well as airplane windows. Lexan is one of the most popular brand names associated with polycarbonate, but a variety of other brands are also available on the market. One of the disadvantages of the material is that unlike acrylic it will yellow when exposed to prolonged sunlight.

Do not be fooled, though.. While these products seem to be beneficial to you and your home, it is not as great as acrylic. Think of any other form of plastic as acrylics cheap ugly stepsister.

 

Contact Us Today

When getting some new furniture for your home, know the difference between plastic vs acrylic. It is “clear” what material is the best. Acrylic all the way! Here at Muniz, we are here to make sure you make the best choice. We sell nationally on our website, even in Texas. Call or contact us today for more information on getting your acrylic chairs. We can’t wait to help you make your home look even better then it probably already does!