Polycarbonate is the champion here, around 250 times the impact resistance of glass versus acrylic's 10 to 20 times. Machine guards, security glazing and hurricane panels are polycarbonate territory.
Acrylic is optically clearer, 92 percent light transmission against about 88 percent, and it stays clear. Standard polycarbonate yellows under UAE sun unless you pay extra for UV-coated grades. For anything on show, acrylic looks better for longer.
Both scratch more easily than glass, but acrylic can be polished back to clarity while polycarbonate scratches are usually permanent. Acrylic also tolerates more household cleaners.
Acrylic laser cuts with a flame-polished edge, bonds invisibly and thermoforms crisply, which is why displays, signage and awards are acrylic. Polycarbonate resists laser cutting, bonds poorly and folds cold, which suits industrial guarding more than retail work.
Clear acrylic is typically 25 to 40 percent cheaper than polycarbonate in the UAE market, and the gap widens for coloured and coated grades.
Simple rule: if people will look at it, use acrylic. If things will hit it, use polycarbonate.
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