Anyone just swap out the glass for plexi or something lighter? Seems like less drama if it does fall...
I swapped out the glass for acrylic panels in a couple of old frames last year after one of them basically disintegrated on me. Honestly, I was surprised at how much easier it made things—no more worrying about shards if something slips, and it’s way lighter to hang. The only thing is, plexi scratches up a lot faster than glass, so if you’re planning to use it as a display where folks might touch it, that’s something to think about.
I did try reinforcing an original frame with some corner brackets and wood filler, but by the time I was done, it felt like I’d rebuilt half the thing anyway. At that point, new glass didn’t seem worth the risk or hassle.
Curious if anyone’s tried those thin polycarbonate sheets instead? I’ve heard they’re tougher than plexi but haven’t given them a shot yet. Wondering if they’d hold up better long-term, especially if you’re mounting heavier stuff behind the window.
Curious if anyone’s tried those thin polycarbonate sheets instead? I’ve heard they’re tougher than plexi but haven’t given them a shot yet.
You’re onto something with polycarbonate—it’s basically the superhero cousin of plexi. I’ve used it for a couple of “oops, I dropped it again” projects and it’s held up way better. Only catch is, it’s not immune to scratches either, but it takes a lot more abuse before showing wear. Price is a bit steeper, though. For heavier displays or if you’re just tired of cleaning up glass confetti, it’s a solid pick. Your wall will thank you.
Totally agree—polycarbonate’s a beast compared to plexi. I swapped out the glass in an old sash window for a thin sheet last summer and it survived a couple accidental bumps that would’ve shattered glass for sure. Just a heads up, cutting it requires a fine-tooth blade (learned that the hard way—melty edges aren’t fun). Bit pricier, but honestly, peace of mind’s worth it. If you’re after durability and don’t mind a few micro-scratches over time, it’s a solid upgrade.
Just a heads up, cutting it requires a fine-tooth blade (learned that the hard way—melty edges aren’t fun).
Totally hear you there—my first attempt ended up with a wavy mess along the edge. I tried sanding it smooth but it never looked quite right. Did you end up sealing the edges with anything, or just leave them as-is? I’ve noticed polycarbonate picks up fingerprints way easier than glass too, which kind of surprised me. Still, for something hanging on the wall, I guess durability wins out.
Ha, fingerprints on polycarbonate drive me nuts too. I swear I spend more time buffing smudges than actually admiring the thing. For the edges, I tried running a heat gun real gentle over them once—kinda helped smooth out the rough bits, but you’ve gotta be careful or it warps. Never bothered sealing, though... Have you noticed if yours yellows over time near the cut edges? I’ve had mixed results with different brands.
For the edges, I tried running a heat gun real gentle over them once—kinda helped smooth out the rough bits, but you’ve gotta be careful or it warps. Never bothered sealing, though... Have you noticed if yours yellows over time near the cut edges? I’ve had mixed results with different brands.
That heat gun trick brings back memories of my first attempt at a polycarbonate panel for a sunroom divider. I got cocky and went just a bit too slow over one section—ended up with this weird ripple that never quite flattened out. Lesson learned: patience and distance are everything.
About the yellowing, yeah, I’ve definitely seen it, but only with some sheets and not others. The cheaper stuff from the local hardware store seemed to go golden at the cut corners after about a year in direct sun. The pricier brand held up better, but even then, there was a faint tinge if you looked close. I’ve heard some folks use clear acrylic edge sealer to slow that down, but I haven’t tried it myself since I’m always worried about it reacting weirdly with the plastic.
Funny thing—on one of my old window displays (I used polycarbonate instead of glass for safety), the fingerprints drove me nuts at first too. Then my kid started drawing smiley faces in the smudges and suddenly they bugged me less... Now it’s part of the “art.” Go figure.
Out of curiosity, have you ever experimented with sanding the edges before hitting them with heat? Someone told me that using super-fine sandpaper first helps smooth things out way more evenly and can cut down on yellowing since there aren’t as many micro-abrasions to catch dirt and UV. I always wonder if that’s just overkill or if it actually makes a difference long-term.
I get where you’re coming from about the sanding, but honestly, I’ve always thought it was a bit overrated for polycarbonate edges—at least for the kind of projects most of us are doing. I’ve tried the whole wet-sanding routine with 600 and then 1000 grit before heat-treating, and yeah, it does give a slightly cleaner look, but I can’t say I noticed much difference in yellowing or grime build-up over time. Maybe if you’re doing something super high-visibility, like an aquarium lid or a display case, it’s worth the extra effort. For wall panels or dividers though? I usually just deburr with a utility knife and call it good.
The yellowing thing’s weird. I’ve actually had more trouble with some “premium” brands than the cheap stuff—go figure. Sometimes I wonder if it’s less about price and more about how long the sheets sat on a warehouse shelf before you even buy them. UV exposure is definitely the big culprit, but I swear humidity plays a role too. One summer we had a leak near my install and those edges got all cloudy way faster than the rest.
I know people swear by those edge sealers, but every time I research them, there’s always some horror story about crazing or weird chemical reactions. Maybe that’s just old internet lore at this point... Still makes me nervous to mess with it when the panel’s already looking decent.
And fingerprints—don’t even get me started. My nephew left greasy handprints all over one of my panels last Thanksgiving and somehow they’re still there in certain light. At this point, it just adds “character,” right?
If you ever do try sealing or sanding again for yellowing specifically, let us know if you see any real-world difference after a year or two. For now, I’ll stick with my lazy method and just swap out panels when they get too funky looking.
Interesting take. I get why you’d skip the extra sanding for wall panels, but I’ve actually noticed a difference with edge prep—especially if the panels catch sunlight at certain angles. It’s subtle, but sometimes that haze or yellowing starts at the rougher edges and works its way in. Could be coincidence, or maybe it’s just my luck with older window stock. Ever tried a UV-blocking spray? I was skeptical, but it helped on a sunroom divider I did last year... though fingerprints are still undefeated.
- That’s interesting about the haze creeping in from the edges—never really paid close attention, but now I’m wondering if that’s why my old porch panels look patchy.
- UV-blocking spray sounds handy, but does it actually help with insulation or just the yellowing? I’m always chasing ways to keep the room cooler in summer.
- Fingerprints are the bane of any glass project... I’ve tried microfiber cloths, but it’s a losing battle if you’ve got kids or pets.
- Do you notice any difference in heat gain after using the spray, or is it mostly cosmetic?
I tried that UV-blocking spray a couple summers ago on the big window in our sunroom—mostly because the old glass was starting to look cloudy and I was curious if it’d help with the heat. Honestly, I didn’t notice a huge difference temperature-wise, but it did seem to slow down the yellowing and kept the glass looking clearer for longer. The room still gets pretty warm in July, so if insulation is the main goal, I think heavier curtains or even some stick-on insulating film works better.
Fingerprints drive me nuts too. The dog presses his nose against the lower panes like it’s his job. I keep a bottle of vinegar spray and a stack of old t-shirts nearby... microfiber is nice, but somehow the smudges always win. At least with the wall display, I can hang the windows up high enough that little hands (and noses) can’t reach.
That haze on the edges thing is real—I thought mine were just dirty, but turns out it’s the old sealant breaking down. Not much to do about it unless you want to fully restore them, which is above my pay grade.