Acrylic vs Glass: Which is Better for Displays in Malaysia?

When planning a shop display, home decor, or custom signage, choosing the right material is just as important as the design itself. In Malaysia, two of the most commonly used materials for displays are acrylic and glass.

To help you decide, let’s break down the key differences with real-life examples—based on four important factors: weight, durability, clarity, and price.

 1. Weight – Which is Easier to Install?

• Acrylic is around 50% lighter than glass.

• For example, a 40x30cm display case made of acrylic can be easily lifted with one hand. The same size in glass feels heavy and needs careful handling or double-handed support.

Best Use:
Acrylic is great for wall-mounted displays, signage in retail shops, or stall setups at events like wedding booths or food festivals (e.g., Ramadan bazaar signage), where lightness and portability matter.

Winner: Acrylic – Easier to carry, install, and move around.



 

 2. Durability – Which Is Stronger and Safer?

• Acrylic is impact-resistant and doesn't shatter like glass. If you drop an acrylic house number plate, it might get scratched but won’t break.

• Glass, even tempered, can still crack or shatter into sharp pieces if hit hard. Imagine a child knocking over a table-top glass display—it’s a safety hazard.

Best Use:
Choose acrylic for high-traffic areas, home with children, café menus, or event photo booth frames, where safety and strength are important.

Winner: Acrylic – Safer and more durable in daily use.

3. Clarity – Which Looks Better?

• Acrylic is crystal clear and looks almost invisible when clean. It’s ideal for product displays where you want to highlight what’s inside, like a blind box acrylic showcase or mini figurine display.

• Glass can have a slight green tint, especially if it's thick, which affects the overall look for clear presentation boxes.

Best Use:
Both are great for clarity, but acrylic often looks more “invisible”, especially in custom display shelves, LED signage covers, or tiered food trays for desserts like kuih or macarons.

Winner: Acrylic (slightly) – Offers clearer views, especially for thicker panels.

4. Price – Which is More Affordable?

• A custom-cut acrylic panel (3mm thick) is generally 30% to 50% cheaper than tempered glass.

• For example, a custom laser-cut acrylic name plaque might cost RM30–RM60. The same design in glass could go up to RM100–RM150, including polishing and safety tempering.

Best Use:
If you're making bulk orders for event decor, small business signboards, or custom house number plates, acrylic helps you save more per unit.

Winner: Acrylic – Cost-effective without sacrificing aesthetics.

Summary Table

When to Choose Acrylic:

• Retail Display Cases (e.g., collectible toys, desserts, perfumes)

• Laser-cut Signage (e.g., café logos, wedding signage)

• Wall-Mounted Decor (e.g., Islamic calligraphy, house numbers)

• Event Booths or Pop-Ups (light and easy to carry around)

• Custom Gifts or Awards (personalized plaques, lightboxes)

When Glass Might Be Better:

• Premium interior installations (e.g., office glass walls, luxury shopfronts)

• High-temperature areas (glass handles heat better than acrylic)

• Where scratch resistance is critical (glass resists scratches better)

Final Verdict

For most Malaysian homes, businesses, and event setups, acrylic offers more benefits: it's lighter, stronger, safer, and more affordable. Unless you require heat resistance or ultra-premium aesthetics, acrylic is the go-to choice for modern displays.

Looking for Custom Acrylic Displays in Malaysia?

At Umake Design, we craft high-quality acrylic signboards, display boxes, and Islamic decor — all custom-made and laser-cut to perfection.

Visit umakedesign.my or message us on Shopee/TikTok to customize yours today!