What is better to use for windows-acrylic or glass?

[chickcritty]

I'm going to make some homemade coop windows and I'm wondering what your opinion is as to what is a better material to use - acrylic or glass?

 

[Mahonri]

Acrylic doesn't break as easily. And the chickens don't need to see outside anyway, they are placed to add light to a coop, right?

 

[Chipper]

I would use acrylic.

 

[ginaseven]

I have plexiglass over both windows and the door, with hardware cloth underneath, it lets in light, and blocks the wind well. In the summer I just unscrew it and store it away until the next winter. I love it.

 

[rickson]

the only issue with the plastic glass is that it hazes super easy.

as soon as you take off the plastic barrier they are getting scratched.

we have a building salvage by me and for my coop I'm going to go over there and get and odd ball sized window to use. they have older styles and sizes and are really inexpensive.

 

[chookchick]

I have used both for coops. If you have a smaller coop, where you just want to screw a piece over a "window" area, one that might be mesh in the summer, acrylic works well and is easy to work with. But not for a larger window, because it is so flexible. A thick enough piece to withstand pushing on gets very expensive. For a larger window, say 2' by 2', double strength glass works well and doesn't cost much. Just have it cut to size, and use molding and trim to hold it in. You can see how I did this on my BYC pages. Glass will also look much better over time. But it is not easy to remove if that is important to you.

 

[chickcritty]

Thanks for the replies. Ok, acrylic it is! I was leaning toward that but they're out of the size I want at Home Depot

and I noticed they had glass panels and that they're cheaper than the acrylic. I'll check back with them on Monday to see if they get more in stock.

Mahonri, I used to live in Phoenix before moving to Oregon uh about 4 years ago I think it was. Don't miss the summer heat but the warmer, drier winters sound nice right about now!

 

[Mahonri]

My son was in Eugene and environs for the last two years. He was happy to get back to Phoenix... but now he's in school in freezing cold Utah.
My wife's brother lives in Eugene. Lots of winter and spring rain... and WIND.

 

[chickcritty]

Rickson and Chookchick I didn't see your replies until I sent my response. Hmmm, now I'm wondering about the acrylic. I'd like the windows to remain see-through so maybe glass would be best. The windows are going to be fairly small - like 18" x 24" and I'm going to attach them to the coop with hinges so I can open them and I'll attach hardware cloth screens to the inside of the window frame.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well I had some windows broke when the chickens jumped from the roost and hit them. I replaced them with acrylic to be on the safe side. I have redone the roost but may still have to modify it. I'd go w/ the acrylic.