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Lowe’s is an American home improvement retailer. They sell plexiglass and other types of glass.
Plexiglass, also known as acrylic sheets, is a glass substitute. It’s a glass substitute. Due to its clear, translucent plastic construction, Plexiglass doesn’t shatter as easily as glass, although it’s prone to scratches.
Lowe’s stores can provide complementary services such as glass cutting when you purchase from them. So, do they also cut Plexiglass? Read on to find out.
Does Lowe’s Cut Plexiglass?
Lowe’s doesn’t cut Plexiglass. However, you can buy Plexiglass from Lowe’s and cut it at any local hardware store that cuts Plexiglass.
Lowe’s may not cut Plexiglass, but they offer a wide range of Plexiglass products in different sizes. So if you can find a size that fits, you won’t need to cut it.
How To Cut Plexiglass
An ideal tool for cutting Plexiglas is a power saw. However, use a jigsaw if you prefer curved lines.
There are special blades for cutting Plexiglass, but you can use any metal blade with a carbide tip. Whatever blade you choose, ensure it has even-spaced teeth, a uniform shape, and height and is without a rake.
How to cut thin Plexiglass:
Follow the steps below to cut a thin Plexiglass.
- Place the Plexiglas on a smooth and flat work surface. Leave the protective sheet covering the glass on.
- Use a yardstick to measure where you want to cut, and mark the line with a grease marker. Ensure the line is straight.
- Using a glass cutter, score both sides of the glass 5 to 10 times to get a deep clear cut on both sides. To score, run the dull side of the glass cutter along the line on both sides to create a cut line.
- When you have a cut line on both sides, place the cut line on the edge of your workbench or surface. Then, with a quick downward press, divide the glass in two with your hand.
How to cut thick Plexiglas:
It’s almost the same procedure for cutting thin Plexiglas.
- First, place the Plexiglass on a flat work surface.
- Next, measure the straight line you wish to cut out and mark it clearly with a permanent or grease marker.
- Use a power saw with your chosen blade and cut through the line. Know that you may not get a clean line. You’ll need to sand and buff it after cutting.
Note: The blade may become hot, and if it does, it may cause the glass to crack. So when it gets hot, water-cool it, or leave it for a few minutes to cool before continuing your work.
How To Sand And Buff Plexiglass
Irrespective of the type of saw or blade you use, the cut tip of the acrylic will not be smooth. So you’ll need to sand and buff it. Here’s how:
- Begin by using a wood or rubber sanding block and 120 to 180 grit waterproof sandpaper so you can sand the rough edges.
- As the rough edges get smoother, change grits and use fine grits. Finally, use 600-grit sandpaper to finish off the sanding.
- Once you’ve gotten your desired smoothness, move on to buffing. Pad your electric drill with a buffing pad and apply a polishing compound made for plastic. When this is done, go ahead and bring your Plexiglass edge to a perfect polish.
Acrylic Sheet Types
Acrylic sheets have various models designed to meet the consumer’s needs.
White acrylic sheeting:
This type of sheeting fills up open spaces. These days, you can even get a dark acrylic that lights up when it comes into contact with LED lightning.
Colored acrylic sheeting:
Colored acrylic sheeting comes in 20 different hues and is perfect for a colorful decoration. It offers both beauty and durability. Also, check out the fluorescent acrylic sheets for transparent colored sheets whose sides glow in the light for people who love the glow.
Clear acrylic sheeting:
These are extremely popular and come in various dimensions and sizes. The thickness of clear acrylic sheets ranges from four inches to a half inch. Its width ranges from 3 feet to 10 feet, from 4 feet to 12 and 1/2 feet. So, irrespective of what project you’re working on, you can always get a clear acrylic sheet to fit whatever space there is.
Textured acrylic sheeting:
This sheeting is ideal for places that need durability, transparency, and privacy. So you often see it in partitions in offices, for patio tables, or as cabinet doors.
Impact modified acrylic:
Impact modified acrylic sheets may have the ability to resist impact 17 times more than normal glass, but it still has their shortcomings and is not as strong as polycarbonate. However, it can resist impact close to that of polycarbonate while still having optical clarity. In addition, it’s more affordable than polycarbonate.
Lucite block acrylic sheeting:
This sheeting is suitable for intricate lighting projects. The LED light is wired into the block acrylic sheeting, and it can maintain its color irrespective of the light source for both indoor and outdoor uses.
Abrasion-resistant acrylic sheeting:
Although acrylic sheeting is resistant to abrasion, this one is double-coated and stronger. It’s resistant to scuffing and scratching and can protect against damaging chemicals and abrasion. It’s suitable for public places.
Mirrored acrylic sheeting:
This sheeting comes in 14 different colors and is compatible with all kinds of service and stress environments. They’re not just durable and strong, but they also act as a resistant reflective surface.
Solar-tinted acrylic:
This sheet protects materials from fading due to UV rays. It can also manage the temperature within a working environment. In addition, solar tinted acrylic provides shelter from the sun, and you don’t have to worry about peeling or bubbling on the surface.
Non-glare acrylic sheeting:
This sheeting does not entirely block out sunlight but reduces its effect on your displayed goods or material.
Anti-static acrylic sheeting:
This sheeting is resistant to all forms of electrical hazards, including static electricity. So you need not worry about harmful electrostatic discharges. It’s also strong enough to withstand humidity, unlike other coatings.
The Advantages of Plexiglass
Durability:
Plexiglass can last a long time and still maintain its shine as long as you take proper care of it. It shares the same thermal efficiency as glass and is resistant to UV rays and water so that you can use it anywhere.
It’s as strong as glass:
The molded acrylic sheet is 30 times as strong as glass. The reason is that it’s made of plastic, is flexible, and is not likely to break when molded.
Less expensive:
Plexiglass is economical and saves you more money than standard glass. You can also easily cut to the desired size.
Lightweight:
It’s twice as light as standard glass. This feature makes it easier to use for various purposes, like hanging a Plexiglass barn door. In addition, you can manipulate it to use it for various purposes that you may not have been able to do with glass.
Easy processing:
It’s easier to process Plexiglass than standard glass because there is every possibility of standard glass breaking but little or no possibility of Plexiglass breaking. There are various ways to process acrylic sheets: you can mill, saw, polish, and bend (with heat), rill, engrave and glue them.
More light:
Plexiglass allows 92% of the available light in an environment through, unlike glass. Even if it’s thick, it still lets in more light than glass. You can get the matte or tinted acrylic if you need some privacy or don’t want too much sunlight.
Safer:
Plexiglass is as strong as glass but doesn’t break as easily as glass does, and that’s what makes it safer to use than glass. Use in environments that require a high level of safety, like an aquarium or balcony glazing.
Plexiglass’s Drawbacks
Not heat-resistant:
Plexiglass is not heat-resistant and it shouldn’t be used in places where heat is generated frequently. It’s therefore not advisable to use it as a window in buses and trains. If you need something transparent, go for clear polycarbonate.
Acrylic scratches easily:
It scratches easily, so you need to keep it clean and sharp objects away from it. These scratches, over time, may make the surface look rough and ugly.
How To Clean Plexiglass
Plexiglass can scratch easily, so you want to be careful and use the right cleaning agents while cleaning it. To clean Plexiglas, you’ll need the following:
- Soft sponge
- Warm or lukewarm water
- Five polishing cloths in a package
- Detergent
- Burnus plastic cleaner.
Clean with a soft microfiber cloth and detergent. Also, avoid chemical cleaners. They don’t get rid of solid dirt, which causes scratches. Instead, rinse the cloth frequently with plenty of water and detergent.
You can also use anti-static cleaners like Burnus. Burnus keeps acrylic glass clean and free of static charge.
Conclusion
Lowe’s does not offer Plexiglass cutting services. However, you may purchase Plexiglass at Lowe’s and have it cut at a local hardware store. With the proper tools, you can even cut it yourself. A power saw is an ideal instrument for cutting Plexiglas.
There are special blades for cutting Plexiglass, but any metal blade with a carbide point will work. Whichever blade you choose, it has evenly spaced teeth, a consistent shape, and height and is free of a rake.
