An Acrylic Display Case vs a Glass Display Case

You may be wondering “Why choose an acrylic display case over a glass one?” and “What difference does it make?” well as much as it depends on what you want from your display case, there are several clear benefits, including:

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  It is optically clearer than glass
• It is lighter than glass
• It Is less likely to smash
• It can be UV bonded or Solvent welded

Acrylic is a resin-based thermoplastic known as “polymethylmethacrylate” or PMMA. One of the most impressive characteristics of this material is that it’s one of the most optically clear materials available, even more so than glass, and it weighs about half as much as glass. Acrylic is resistant to many elements, including sunlight, rain, snow, pollutants and many chemicals. Acrylic unlike glass, will not shatter into tiny pieces when broken.

If you would like your display case to have optically clear joints, an acrylic display case is the only option because you can use UV bonding. This involves using acrylic adhesives which set when exposed to UV light.

Although UV bonding looks the most impressive, it is not the strongest method of joining acrylic. Solvent welding is a process whereby pieces of acrylic are welded together and a virtually unbreakable join is formed.

Acrylic is a very lightweight, flexible and resilient material, which makes it ideal for use for display cases. It has the added advantage of protecting the contents of the case from most UV rays, dust, ageing and many other forms of wear and tear.  When compared to glass it is a more cost efficient and hard wearing material, which is why we recommend it so highly.

Why Do People become Collectors?

Everyone collects something, the hobby of collecting includes the seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloging, displaying, storing, and maintaining of whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. Some collectors are generalists, accumulating all different types of items from all over the world. Others focus on a subtopic within their area of interest, anything from Victorian Postage Stamps to first edition Star Wars toys and many more besides.

But why? What about the human condition compels people to seek out and collect these items.

Psychologist Mark Mckinley who wrote a paper on the Psychology of Collecting states: “It does seem that growing up as “kids,” we all collected something we made into a hobby. It could have begun with baseball cards, marbles, or stamps. Then it moved on: to antique books, Longaberger baskets, state quarters, or Atmos clocks. For others it was collecting the really unusual that worked best for them. Indeed, some collectors even collect collecting guides!”

For many people collecting things allows people to define themselves and their identity, to relive their childhood and in some cases this nostalgia connects them to a happier period in their life.

There are however several reasons why people collect, Dr Mckinley divides collectors into several groups who collect for reasons including:

• Pure enjoyment (Collecting can make them happier)
• Investment (Buying with a view to profit from resale in the future)
• Preservation of the past (Acquiring objects of historic significance)
• Social inclusion (Joining communities and forming friendships)
• Prestige or fame (Acquiring rare, fascinating or unique collections that have a wider interest)
• Self identity fulfilment (Defining part of their personalities by what they collect)

Many collectors will have several of these motivations driving their passion, whether it is the happiness from adding a new find to the collection, the excitement of the hunt, the social camaraderie when sharing their collection with other collectors. Not forgetting that it is often these dedicated people we have to thank, for some of the most spectacular and historic collections of human artefacts.

Researchers cannot agree on whether people who collect things are happier and more balanced, but if you ask any collector their enthusiasm and passion for what they collect nearly always shines through and they undoubtedly see it as a positive in their life.

Collectors take the up most pride in their collections, often displaying them prominently in their houses and if they are particularly spectacular or important, lending them to the worlds greatest galleries, museums and libraries. Understanding the fulfilment and pride people gain from displaying their collections is part of the reason we produce our range of display cases, allowing a collector to showcase their collections beautifully, whilst protecting and safeguarding them from ageing or damage.

Showcasing your skills

What’s the point of winning trophies if you don’t show them off to the max? Whether they are personal trophies at home or club trophies at your club house, they need to take centre stage. But who looks after them and keeps them dust free? Who ensures they look as good as they should considering they represent you and your team’s skill and excellence?

There’s no need to fret over this conundrum any longer. At acrylicdisplaycases.co.uk we have a case to fit your trophy wherever it takes pride of place. And if your trophy’s measurements are a little out of the ordinary, don’t worry our bespoke cases will do the job instead. The other great thing about our display cases is that they protect the contents from harmful UV light and dust.

Showcasing your sports memorabilia

If you’re a little light on trophies to mark your excellence, why not showcase other sporting memorabilia you’ve collected? How about the ball that featured in the winning game? We have cases to display footballs, rugby balls, cricket balls and even basketballs. But that’s not all; boxing gloves, helmets, football boots and signed kit also look great displayed in our acrylic cases.

Showcasing a piece of sporting history

Perhaps you have an Olympic Torch marking the London 2012 Games? Well that definitely needs showing off and protecting for prosperity. Guess what, we even have a display case for that. And yes it will protect your Torch from UV light and dust too.

Something to suit

Whether you need a wall hanging case or individual cases, we will be sure to have the right one. And if we don’t we’ll make it for you. It’s as simple as that. Our display cases come in a range of sizes, modern and traditional. We also offer ones with wooden bases and ones that lock. They are made from acrylic, which is lighter and less costly than glass and certainly less likely to get broken.

Does this sound like what you’re looking for? We thought so. Take a look at our range to find your perfect display case.