Glass vs plexiglass

[Gene Collins]

I'm slowly getting my cage built for my girls and i'm undecided on the door material. anyone know any advantages/disadvantages of either one? Personal preferences?

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[The Serpent Merchant]

Glass is the better choice. Plexi scratches easier, warps easier, and has the potential to discolor. The only disadvantage of glass is that it is harder to work with.

[RestlessRobie]

Glass all the way I got mine a lot cheaper then I ever could with Plexi. As stated Plexi will yellow and warp over time glass is way easier to clean as well. I purchased all my material from a local glass supplier Goldfinch Brothers Glass for my door two 10.5in X 23.25in Doors and the track for the doors cost me about $30. So I vote Glass

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Glass all the way I got mine a lot cheaper then I ever could with Plexi. As stated Plexi will yellow and warp over time glass is way easier to clean as well. I purchased all my material from a local glass supplier Goldfinch Brothers Glass for my door two 10.5in X 23.25in Doors and the track for the doors cost me about $30. So I vote Glass

[1nstinct]

It depends on the door. If sliding I would use glass all the way, but if its an open front(swinging) doors I would use plexi just for the weight alone. And glass is a lot clearer when it comes to looking through.

[kitedemon]

I used lexan (plexy/lexan are similar) , it is so much easier to work with. In my case the door is HUGE and glass would have been very heavy (each door is 36 x 17).

Glass is less insulating, plastics are more so (in equal thickness)

Glass is heavier, plastics lighter

Glass is more scratch resistant, plastics scratch (dragons claws scratch plastics easily)

Glass chips if dropped, plastics are more resistant to rough treatment.

Glass is very difficult to machine plastic is relatively easy.

Glass has fewer attachment / hinge options, plastics many more options

Price depends on suppliers the glass doors I have for one of my enclosure (18x14 were 80$) I get plastic acrylic sheet for 100$ (48x96) for me plastics are 1/4 the price of glass.

I don't think one is superior to the other just different. In my bearded dragon enclosure I was concerned with weight and did not want a very tall narrow sliding door. I wished for a hinged door. The term appropriate technology applied in my case. The only down side is I have, are the scratches I need to polish the inside ever year or so to remove the scratches. The sheets I use are guaranteed against yellowing for 25 years. I figure I can replace them after that time if I need to...

my hinge...
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the big doors...
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[Gene Collins]

For plexi kitdemon that looks super clear. I like that it's lighter. That's my main reason for considering it

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[Argentra]

It really depends on the size of the doors and the animal being kept. If the door is smaller, or the occupant has claws (as most lizards do) I would try to use glass to avoid the scratching and add strength. The plexi door of my BTS cage has several dull spots, and my fella doesn't even have claws! (he was a rescue and his prior owners didn't know about helping them with toe sheds, so he lost all his claws/outer joints of his toes).

For large doors or any size snake caging, I use acrylic / plexi. Much lighter and easier for me to find. Easier to work with as well.
To me, it's all about what you can find and work with easiest.

[Gene Collins]

I used lexan (plexy/lexan are similar) , it is so much easier to work with. In my case the door is HUGE and glass would have been very heavy (each door is 36 x 17).

Glass is less insulating, plastics are more so (in equal thickness)

Glass is heavier, plastics lighter

Glass is more scratch resistant, plastics scratch (dragons claws scratch plastics easily)

Glass chips if dropped, plastics are more resistant to rough treatment.

Glass is very difficult to machine plastic is relatively easy.

Glass has fewer attachment / hinge options, plastics many more options

Price depends on suppliers the glass doors I have for one of my enclosure (18x14 were 80$) I get plastic acrylic sheet for 100$ (48x96) for me plastics are 1/4 the price of glass.

I don't think one is superior to the other just different. In my bearded dragon enclosure I was concerned with weight and did not want a very tall narrow sliding door. I wished for a hinged door. The term appropriate technology applied in my case. The only down side is I have, are the scratches I need to polish the inside ever year or so to remove the scratches. The sheets I use are guaranteed against yellowing for 25 years. I figure I can replace them after that time if I need to...

Was there any reasoning behind your vent placement? I was planning on only doing them similar to the ones you have up high along the back but I see you have some lower as well.

[kitedemon]

The typical flow pattern is the high vents allow the heated air out. The lower ones let fresh air in, they are all on one side this helps generate a gradient the coolest place is on the floor in front of the low vents. Plexi is very clear and neutral colour, glass has a green tint to it. I have loads of plexi (acrylic I don't always buy 'plexiglas brand') none of mine is yellow or even yellowing...

[Gene Collins]

Awesome info. Thanks I hadn't thought about that which I feel silly quite silly for lol I'm a science major and have taken physics....i should know that lol

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