Why Is Plexiglass Expensive in Greenhouses?

The manufacturing process is what makes plexiglass so pricey. The production of plexiglass is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The cell cast process produces the least expensive acrylic. Plexiglass is also highly desired because of its superior strength and resistance to glass.

Did you like one of my gazebo greenhouse designs? Perhaps you attempted to create it but were astonished by how pricey acrylic sheeting is?

I was astounded as well! Plexiglass is a fantastic synthetic substitute for glass. It is less brittle, cuts easier, and generates less undesired reflections. Despite these advantages, many individuals avoid plexiglass for one simple reason. It is too pricey!
Plexiglass’s Expensive Price Is Explained
What Is the Difference Between Acrylic, Plexiglass, and Plexiglas?
People use these phrases interchangeably without realising there is a subtle distinction between them. Allow me to explain!

Acrylic is a phrase that refers to a clear plastic substance. Acrylic is known by many other names, including acrylic plastic, acrylic glass, PMMA, plexiglass, and many more. Acrylic plastics are similar to glass, except they are tougher and lighter. Acrylics occur in a variety of formats, one of which being plexiglass.

Plexiglass is a transparent acrylic sheet. Polymethyl methacrylate, or simply methyl methacrylate, is its scientific name. This lengthy term is sometimes shortened as PMMA.

Plexiglass derives its name from the brand-name product Plexiglas, which was invented and patented in the early 1900s. Today, the general term plexiglass may apply to the original product Plexiglas as well as various other related products manufactured by contemporary manufacturers such as Acrylite, Lucite, Crylux, and Perspex.
The primary distinction between acrylic and Plexiglas is in the manufacturing process. Acrylic polymers can be created using both the cell cast and extrusion methods, but Plexiglas can only be made using the cell cast technique.

Why Is Plastic Glass So Expensive?
Manufacturing Costs
In most situations, the primary reason for the high cost of plexiglass is the production process. Plexiglas is not manufactured in a single step. It need a large amount of materials and equipment. Acrylics may be made in two ways:
Plexiglas is a kind of acrylic plastic polymer. It is known scientifically as methyl methacrylate or polymethyl methacrylate, and it is often abbreviated as PMMA. Only the cell cast process is used to make brand-name Plexiglas.

The cell cast process yields very durable acrylic that may be shaped, sized, and coloured in a variety of ways. Acrylic sheets with thicknesses ranging from 0.06 inch to 6 inch are produced using this technology.

The initial step in manufacturing cell cast acrylic is to combine a monomer with a catalyst to form a polymer. This molten plastic is then poured into a custom-made mould. The acrylic sheet is removed from its mould after it has become partially firm.
The semi-solid acrylic sheet is then placed in an autoclave, which is a pressure-cooker-style oven. Heat and pressure remove air bubbles from the substance, resulting in a noticeable high transparency and solid composition. This procedure alone takes more than a half-day to complete and contributes significantly to the high price of plexiglass.

After the acrylic has been retrieved from the oven, it is sanded and polished to the customer’s specifications. This last stage is time-consuming and labor-intensive in order to produce the necessary shine.

Cell cast acrylic is produced in a confined environment to reduce contaminants that might reduce clarity. This criterion raises the cost of manufacture and, as a result, the price of Plexiglas.