OT - Window glass substitute

[MBU]

Hi,

I am making a door for a chicken house. It is 24 inches by 80 inches and has twelve 7.7 inch by 10.0 inch panes. Instead of glass, I was thinking of using Acrylic.

How does Acrylic stand up to the sun...will it fade or "slump"?

Thanks for the answers to my questions and please feel free to add any additional information you might think is helpful!

 

[Anonymous-0]

would work very well ,the only drawback is that it has gotten very expensive in any quantity

 

[Michael Soldan]

Our old hen house at the farm had windows all along the south side, about 40 feet of them. The sash rotted and panes were about ready to fall out so I took out all the windows, strapped the opening and put clear sheets of fiberglass. It gave just as much light, was quick to install and cheaper than buying new sashes. I hinged two panels for ventillation, worked well. There is even clearer vynl plastic out now that was used on my new machinery shed, that looks like glass from a distance(Not Plexi-glass)

 

[Janicholson]

Pretty nice door for chickens!! Glass is much cheaper, and can be cleaned W/O scratching. If the door is stout enough for regular use, why not Glass?
1/8" plexiglass will for sure work. JimN

 

[Anonymous-0]

The windows on my barn had panes about that size. Over the years I must have replace 25 to 30 of them with 1/8 inch plexi-glass. Some have been in for 15 years and no problems yet. Oh and they are on every side of the building too. I think you could buy replacement glass for same money but plexi-glass is sure easy to work with.

 

[MBU]

Janicholson,

Glass is cheaper than Plexiglass? ...At least where I live it isn't. I'll check some more though.

I can buy a 2-foot by 4-foot sheet of Plexiglass (Acrylic ) at home depot for $15.00.

flying belgian,

Thanks for the information! So it sounds like it'll work...

 

[Nolan]

The plastics are fine in the sun. They do scratch easily, and are quite flexible, so they can pop out of their retainer when pushed.

Price varies tremendously depending on the type of plastic and the thickness. It can be cheaper than glass, or more expensive.

 

[Bus Driver]

Washing windows at chicken houses is probably a rare occurrence. But plastics will turn cloudy if cleaners with ammonia are used. Most glass cleaners do have ammonia.

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

Plexiglass will shrink in cold weather, expand in
hot, probably not a problem in 7 X 10 It is affected
by the sun, it will eventually get brittle and
break.

 

[MBU]

hmmmm...

Maybe I should just get glass... I know that will work!

Thanks everyone for the help... I appreciate it very much!