Choosing a Security Mirror Lens Type
There’s much debate about choosing the lens type (acrylic, polycarbonate, glass) for your security mirror. Both materials are stronger than glass, acrylic is 17 times stronger while polycarbonate is 200 times stronger. Both are lighter than glass, approximately 50% lighter, and tend to do better in outdoor situations. Both provide a bright image, the acrylic being the best, and both are easy to clean. Both average about a 10-year lifespan, much more than glass.
Acrylic Mirror Pros and Cons:
- Brighter than polycarbonate
- Lighter than glass; roughly the same weight as polycarbonate
- May be polished to remove scratches
- More rigid than polycarbonate which means it may crack or shatter under extreme conditions
- Less expensive than polycarbonate
- 17 times stronger than glass
- Extremely resistant to chemicals
- Good weather ability and UV resistance
Polycarbonate Mirrors Pros and Cons:
- Slightly less bright than acrylic (but more so than glass)
- 30 times stronger than acrylic (250 times stronger than glass)
- Shatter & crack proof – may be drilled without cracking
- Lighter than acrylic
- Roughly 35% more expensive than acrylic
- Low flammability
- Less rigid than acrylic
- Great wearability and UV resistance; withstands extreme heat and cold better than acrylic
- High resistance to chemicals
TL; DR
For indoor applications, or outdoor ones where the mirror isn’t prone to vandalism, acrylic is the best choice. Polycarbonate is more durable and doesn’t shatter, so if you need a mirror where vandalism may occur, or where is a situation for kids, for example, could break the mirror, we recommend polycarbonate.