How Much Do Acrylic Sheets Cost?

Last Updated on May 26, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Acrylic sheets are a versatile plastic material used for a huge range of applications from decorative crafts to industrial machine guards. But acrylic sheet prices can vary widely based on the quality, thickness, size, features and other factors.

This in-depth guide will break down the cost considerations for different types of acrylic sheets to help you budget accurately for your next project.

How Much Do Acrylic Sheets Cost?

On average, clear cast acrylic sheets span $5 to $250 per square foot based on thickness, while colored acrylic runs $7 to $150 per square foot. But specialty options like UV filtering, abrasion resistant or mirrored acrylic range $15 to $100 per square foot.

Canal Plastic Center offers a range of acrylic sheet prices, with clear colorless acrylic sheets starting at $2.20, white and black opaque acrylic sheets at $3.50, silver mirror acrylic sheets at $4.50, and more specialized options like radiant iridescent acrylic sheets starting at $9.50. Their prices vary based on factors such as color, finish, and sheet thickness.

According to ShapesPlastics, the cost of acrylic sheets can range from $4.23 per square foot for items priced “From $ Per Square Foot.” They offer options like 1/4″ frosted acrylic/plexiglass cut-to-size starting at $25.01 per square foot, 3/16″ clear cast acrylic cut-to-size from $5.00 per square foot, and 3/8″ clear plexiglass extruded acrylic cut-to-size from $13.35 per square foot. Their prices include material costs, cutting, and handling charges based on the entered dimensions.

Delvie’s Plastics offers bulk acrylic sheets, with a single 4’x8′ sheet priced at $134.00. They provide bulk pricing when ordering a full sheet of acrylic in a specific color and thickness, allowing customers to save on larger orders.

Factors That Impact the Cost of Acrylic Sheets

Many variables influence the overall pricing for acrylic sheet stock. Being aware of these cost factors can help you pick the most affordable options without sacrificing quality.

Acrylic Material Type

There are two main grades of acrylic used for sheet stock:

Extruded Acrylic: The most economical option. Extruded acrylic is produced in a continuous process, resulting in lower costs but reduced optical quality. Good for low-budget projects. $15 to $50 per sq.ft.

Cast Acrylic: The highest quality acrylic with excellent clarity and brilliance. Cast in batched between mold plates. Higher cost but unbeatable optics. $50 to $150 per sq.ft.

Sheet Thickness

Thicker acrylic sheets cost more due to increased material usage:

• 1/8″ thickness – $25 to $45 per sq.ft.
• 1/4″ thickness – $35 to $65 per sq.ft.
• 1/2″ thickness – $55 to $120 per sq.ft.
• 3/4″ to 1″ – $100 to $200 per sq.ft.

Sheet Size

Standard sheet sizes minimize cutting waste and costs. Odd sizes or custom cutting adds labor and material loss costs.

Tinting, Coloring and Special Features

Features like UV filtering, scratch resistance, frosted texturing, mirrored backing, or custom colors can increase acrylic costs $20 to $100 per sq.ft. depending on specifications.

You might also like our articles about the cost of tempered glass, plywood, or fiberglass boat repairs.

Volume Discounts

Acquiring high volumes allows suppliers to offer discounts, reducing per-unit costs. Typical volume discounts apply at order quantities of 5+ sheets or $2000+.

Where to Buy Acrylic Sheets

Many retailers offer acrylic sheets in various qualities, sizes, and price points. Here are some of the most popular options:

Big Box Home Improvement Stores

Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards carry entry-level extruded acrylic sheets up to 1/4″ thick for small DIY projects and repairs. Selection is limited but prices can be under $20 per sq.ft.

Specialty Plastics Distributors

Companies like TAP Plastics, Piedmont Plastics and Interstate Plastics offer high-quality cast acrylic, advanced fabrication, custom sizing and volume discounts ideal for pro installers, sign makers and manufacturers. Good quality cast acrylic in standard sizes starts around $50 per sq.ft.

Online and Specialty Retailers

Websites like Amazon, eBay, McMaster-Carr and ePlastics provide easy online access to extruded and cast acrylic sheets. Order minimums are lower but sheet selection is limited. Prices range from $20 per sq.ft. for extruded up to $120 per sq.ft. for high-end cast acrylic.

Introduction to Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic sheet is a lightweight, transparent plastic material that resembles glass but is less prone to cracking and breakage. It goes by many trademarked brand names including Plexiglass, Lucite, and Acrylite. Some key properties that make acrylic useful for a variety of applications include:

• High optical clarity and light transmission, similar to glass.
• Impact and scratch resistant yet flexible enough to be bent and formed.
• Weather and UV resistant for indoor and outdoor use.
• Can be heat formed into complex shapes and designs.
• Available in clear or colored transparent, translucent, and opaque tints.
• Easily machined, laser cut, thermoformed, cemented, and fabricated.

Acrylic sheets have an almost endless range of applications anywhere transparent plastic material is needed. Some of the most common uses include:

• Retail displays, signage, posters, and visual merchandising.
• Aquariums and terrariums.
• Tabletops, furniture accents, and decorative items.
• Window and picture framing.
• Lenses, lighting covers, and light fixtures.
• Machine guards, splash guards and protective barriers.
• Bathroom dividers, shower doors and enclosure glazing.
• Trophy and award displays.
• Greenhouse glazing and outdoor enclosures.

This versatile plastic sheet material is popular with everyone from home DIYers to large corporations and manufacturers. But with so many options on the market, it can be confusing to figure out fair pricing for your specific project requirements.

Real-World Acrylic Sheet Cost Examples

To give you a better idea of real pricing, here are some examples of common acrylic sheet projects:

Acrylic Aquarium Tank – 75 gallon

• (5) cast acrylic sheets 48″ x 24″ x 3/8″
• Optically clear, UV filtering
• Custom cut squares cemented for tank
• Total Cost: $2,100 with shipping

Acrylic Retail Product Displays

• (10) Extruded clear acrylic sheets 36″ x 24″ x 1/4″
• Standard thickness and size
• Ordered in bulk online
• Total Cost: $850 with shipping

Acrylic Window Replacement

• (3) Cast acrylic sheets 72″ x 48″ x 1/2″
• UV filtering and scratch resistant
• Custom cut to size
• Professional installation
• Total Project Cost: $5,500

Cost Considerations for Acrylic Sheets

To recap, main factors influencing acrylic sheet costs:

• Acrylic grade – Cast vs extruded
• Sheet thickness – Thicker is pricier
• Size – Custom cuts add cost
• Features – UV, scratch resistance, mirrored
• Volume discounts – Bulk order savings

For budget fabrication and DIY projects, opt for standard size extruded acrylic less than 1/4″ thick.

For professional glazing, aquariums, signage and displays, cast acrylic sheet 1/4″ or thicker provides the best optics. Factor in UV protection and scratch-resistance for longevity.

Carefully evaluate your project requirements and cost limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is acrylic sheet cheaper than glass?

Yes, acrylic sheet is almost always cheaper than glass of an equivalent thickness and size. On average, cast acrylic sheet prices tend to run 20% to 60% less than comparable glass when comparing materials alone.

There are a few reasons why properly fabricated acrylic has a cost advantage over glass:

• Acrylic weighs around half as much as glass. This significantly reduces material handling, shipping and installation costs. Larger pieces of acrylic are much easier to maneuver than heavy glass.
• Acrylic can be cut, machined and fabricated using common wood and plastic working tools. Specialized glass cutting and grinding equipment is expensive.
• Cast acrylic has excellent impact resistance and flexibility compared to fragile glass. This results in lower rates of breakage and replacement costs.
• Acrylic is easier to modify after installation and replace if damaged. Glass often requires full removal and installation of new pieces.
• Advanced acrylic grades offer UV filtering, scratch resistance and weathering capabilities that compete with costly treated or laminated glass.

Looking at an example, a 48″ x 72″ x 1⁄4″ cast acrylic sheet would cost $120 to $170. The same dimensions in annealed float glass would be $170 to $280. The more durable, modified acrylic represents major cost savings over glass.

Does acrylic sheet crack or craze easily?

No, cast acrylic sheets do not have a tendency to easily crack or craze when handled, formed, and installed correctly. However, there are some best practices to follow:

To Avoid Cracking:

• Allow enough flexibility and expansion room when mounting, never over-tighten fasteners.
• Drill oversized holes for bolts and rivets to prevent cracking at mounting points.
• Always use cast acrylic-compatible adhesives and glazing compounds to prevent stress cracking.
• Anneal acrylic by slowly heating and cooling after thermoforming to release internal stresses.

To Avoid Crazing:

• Protect surfaces from abrasion and cleaning with harsh chemicals which can degrade the material over time, causing crazing.
• Avoid contact with incompatible sealants, solvents or cements that can penetrate and weaken the acrylic.
• Never wipe dust or debris off dry acrylic, always use damp cleaners and cloths.
• Apply protective film on exposed surfaces vulnerable to scratching or chemical damage.

With proper handling, forming, mounting, and care, quality cast acrylic can perform flawlessly for decades even in demanding applications without cracking or crazing.

Can acrylic sheets withstand moisture and wet environments?

Yes, acrylic sheets are highly resistant to moisture and can withstand wet environments very well. In fact, acrylic is commonly used for applications involving water contact such as:

Aquariums and Aquatic Displays – Acrylic aquarium tanks don’t degrade or leach chemicals into the water over time. Cast acrylic withstands years of continuous water exposure without losing optical clarity or strength.

Pool Glazing – Clear acrylic sheets make a durable and flexible alternative to glass for swimming pool enclosures and glazing panels. Acrylic withstands pool chemicals and humidity without degrading or becoming brittle.

Bathroom Partitions – The water resistance of acrylic makes it ideal for shower walls, bath enclosures, and bathroom divider panels that will get routinely wet. Cemented acrylic assemblies prevent leaks.

Signs and Displays – Outdoor acrylic signs and displays withstand rain, snow and humidity in any climate due to excellent weathering properties. Special UV-filtering grades are designed to resist sun damage and fading.

Boat and Marine Windows – Acrylic boat windshields maintain visibility underwater while resisting salt spray corrosion and UV damage from prolonged sun exposure.

With proper chemical compatibility taken into account, acrylic sheets offer reliable performance in even the wettest conditions without deteriorating over time. Their lasting water and weather resistance expands the possibilities for outdoor and aquatic applications.