What’s the best option? Polycarbonate plastic glasses or traditional glassware?
The answer to that depends on how you intend to use the glasses – and the factors that are important to you, such as safety, durability, appearance and maintenance.
To help you decide, we take a look at the pros and cons of both types of glasses.
Is safety a priority?
Polycarbonate plastic glasses are made from a thermoplastic polymer that’s known for its high impact resistance. So if safety is a priority, then polycarbonate is a much better option than traditional glass.
Virtually unbreakable polycarbonate glasses are ideal for outdoor activities such as camping and boating, socialising around a swimming pool, parties on a beach, or any alfresco event.
If your company holds outdoor corporate events, then polycarbonate eliminates the hazards associated with broken glass. It’s also a good investment, as polycarbonate plastic glasses can be reused again and again without losing their pristine appearance.
If you need to create a child-friendly environment, then polycarbonate plastic glasses should be your first choice. They’re ideal for leisure and play centres, nurseries and schools.
Do you need durable glasses?
Traditional glassware is fragile and will shatter if dropped. It’s also easy to chip or fracture glass when it’s being washed. If you don’t secure glasses properly in a dishwasher, they can be broken or chipped during the washing cycle.
By contrast, polycarbonate plastic glasses are virtually unbreakable. Even when you drop one on a hard surface, the impact is unlikely to cause any damage. The shatterproof qualities of polycarbonate plastic make it a highly durable product that will last longer than a traditional glass equivalent.
Is style your main concern?
If you need glasses for formal dining events, then traditional glassware is probably a more appropriate option. Guests will expect to feel the weight of real glass. It also has a classic and elegant quality, along with an optical clarity that can enhance the visual appeal of drinks.
However, polycarbonate glasses can mimic the look of traditional glassware. They can’t offer the same elegance as high-end glassware, such as crystal, but they do have excellent clarity and transparency, similar to glass, allowing you to appreciate the colour of your drink.
If you entertain on an informal basis, then polycarbonate plastic glasses offer a stylish alternative. They’re lighter in weight compared to traditional glassware, making them easier and more comfortable to handle.
Are you looking for a low maintenance product?
At Virtually Glass we provide high-quality polycarbonate glasses that are dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe and easy to clean. Our products are temperature-resistant, impact-resistant, scratch-resistant, and crack-resistant.
It’s these qualities that make our products so low maintenance. They can be stacked and transported easily without risk of breakage – taking up less space than normal glasses.
While most glassware is now dishwasher and microwave safe, it is more susceptible to scratching and chipping and must always be handled with care. Therefore, when it comes to maintenance, traditional glass can’t compete with the versatility and durability of polycarbonate plastic glasses.
Are polycarbonate plastic glasses the right choice for your business?
Virtually Glass is a specialist supplier of polycarbonate glasses suitable for all types of beverages, including wine, cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Our high-quality range includes wine glasses, champagne glasses, beer glasses, tumblers and cocktail glasses – in different shapes and sizes to suit any occasion.
To find out more, call us on 07432 672377 or email:
