Screens, Plexiglass & Lexan

Glass and acrylic (plexiglass) are both clear, both cut to size, and both available from our shop. The choice between them comes down to the application. Here's the honest comparison:

Glass is better when: optical clarity and scratch resistance are important. Glass is harder than acrylic — it doesn't scratch from normal contact with cleaning cloths, coins, or everyday objects. Over time, a glass surface stays clear; acrylic develops micro-scratches that cause it to look hazy. Glass is also dimensionally stable — it doesn't expand and contract with temperature changes the way acrylic does, which matters for glazing that's tightly fitted into a frame.

Acrylic (plexiglass) is better when: weight matters (acrylic is about half the density of glass), when the application requires impact resistance (acrylic is significantly harder to break than glass, though it can crack and shatter under sufficient impact), when the shape is curved or irregular (acrylic can be heat-formed; glass cannot), or when cost is the primary driver on a larger panel. For greenhouse panels, storm window inserts, hobby and craft glazing, and protective barriers, acrylic is often the right choice.

We stock clear acrylic in 1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/4″ thicknesses and cut to your dimensions. We also carry tinted and frosted acrylic for specific applications. For true glass needs, see our glass tabletops or window glass repair pages.

Polycarbonate — sold under the Lexan brand name — is a different material from acrylic. It's the clearest of the impact-resistant plastics and is almost impossible to shatter: it bends under impact rather than breaking. Polycarbonate is used where breaking is simply not acceptable — school glazing, machine guards, protective barriers, and certain security applications.

The tradeoffs: polycarbonate scratches even more easily than acrylic, yellows over time with UV exposure (unless it's a UV-stabilized grade), and costs more than acrylic. For most residential applications where impact resistance isn't a primary concern, acrylic is the better choice. Polycarbonate earns its cost when you need something that won't break under any reasonable residential impact scenario.

Common residential uses for polycarbonate we see in the Hudson Valley:

• Garage door window lights — particularly in garages with ball sports nearby; polycarbonate windows survive what glass and acrylic don't
• Greenhouse panels — twin-wall and multi-wall polycarbonate panels are standard for hobby greenhouses because of their insulation value and impact resistance
• Pet doors and access panels — polycarbonate panels that flex rather than break on impact
• Storm shutters and temporary protective panels — for windows in exposed locations that need protection during severe weather

An interior storm window insert is a piece of clear acrylic or glass cut to fit inside your window opening — on the interior side, attached with magnetic strips, compression fit, or a simple clip system — that adds a second layer of glazing and an air buffer in front of your existing window. The result is noticeably better thermal performance for a single-pane window during a Hudson Valley winter, at a fraction of the cost of full window replacement.

Interior storm inserts work particularly well on older homes with original single-pane windows that you want to preserve — many historic properties in Kingston, Beacon, and throughout the Hudson Valley have original wood sash windows that are worth keeping but perform poorly thermally. An interior insert adds insulation value without altering the window's appearance from the exterior and without disturbing the original sash.

We cut storm inserts to your window dimensions from 1/8″ or 3/16″ clear acrylic. The insert is custom-sized to fit inside your window stop on the interior side, with a small gap all around for the installation of a sealing system (magnetic strips or foam compression tape). Most inserts are ready the same day or next day. This is one of the most economical improvements you can make to a drafty single-pane window — particularly in the bedrooms and living rooms of older Hudson Valley homes where the windows are original and full replacement isn't on the table.

Beyond windows and tabletops, there's a long list of applications where clear plastic glazing is the right material for a repair or upgrade. Here's what we commonly cut in the shop:

Greenhouse and cold frame panels. Standard glass greenhouse panels break; acrylic and polycarbonate panels don't (or do so far less easily). We cut single-layer acrylic for lean-to and attached greenhouses and twin-wall polycarbonate for hobbyist cold frames and small-scale growing structures.

Garage door window lights. The small glass panels in sectional garage doors break regularly, particularly in garages used for sports. We cut replacement panels in acrylic or polycarbonate to match the original glazing size. Most garage door window lights are a standard size; bring in a fragment of the broken panel and we'll match it.

Cabinet door glazing. Kitchen cabinet doors with glass inserts, china cabinets, and built-in bookcases with glass doors all occasionally need their glazing replaced. We cut replacement panels in glass or acrylic, depending on the application and the owner's preference, to the exact rabbet dimensions of the cabinet door.

Protective barriers. Countertop sneeze guards, protective panels over artwork, and display case glazing are all applications where we cut acrylic to size. These became a common request in 2020 and we still regularly cut protective acrylic barriers for customers who use them in their home offices or work spaces.

Window screens and door screens tear, sag, and rust over time, and a screen with a large hole or a bent frame is effectively no screen at all. We repair and re-screen aluminum and wood-framed window screens at our Newburgh shop.

Re-screening means installing new screen fabric (fiberglass or aluminum mesh) in your existing frame. The old screen is removed, the frame spline channel is cleaned, new screen is laid over the frame, and a new spline is pressed in around the perimeter to tension and hold the new screen in place. The result is a screen that looks and performs like new. Fiberglass screen mesh is the standard for most residential windows — it doesn't crease or dent like aluminum mesh and is easy to re-stretch. Aluminum mesh is used for applications where pets are a concern (it's harder for cats to claw through) or where the window needs maximum airflow and a more open weave.

Frame repair and rebuilding. Bent aluminum screen frames can sometimes be straightened; badly kinked or corroded frames need to be replaced. We rebuild screen frames in aluminum channel stock to your original dimensions — cut, mitered, cornered, and screened. Most screen rebuilds are a same-day or next-day service.

Pet-resistant screens. For households with cats that push through or claw screens, we offer heavier-gauge aluminum or fiberglass pet screen, which resists puncture and stretching better than standard screen mesh. Part of our full residential glass services at 154 N Plank Rd, Newburgh — call (845) 562-8387.

For acrylic, polycarbonate, and screen work, the fastest path is to come into our Newburgh shop with your dimensions or a sample of what needs to be matched or replaced. Here's what's helpful to bring:

For acrylic/polycarbonate cuts: The dimensions of the panel you need (length × width × thickness), or the existing panel if you're replacing one. If you're replacing a panel in a frame, measure the opening — the size of the panel is typically slightly smaller than the opening to allow for expansion. We'll advise on the fit allowance for the material and application.

For storm inserts: The inside dimensions of the window stop on the interior side of your window — the height and width of the area where the insert will sit. We'll cut the insert and supply the magnetic or compression tape to seal it.

For screen re-screening: Bring the existing screen frame. We'll re-screen it in the shop in most cases while you wait or same day. If the frame is damaged, we'll assess whether it can be repaired or needs to be rebuilt.

For garage door window lights and cabinet glazing: Bring a fragment of the broken panel and the dimensions, or both if the fragment is too small to measure. Most common sizes are in stock.

We're at 154 N Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550. Call ahead at (845) 562-8387 to confirm we have your material in stock, particularly for polycarbonate in specific thicknesses. Serving Orange, Ulster, and Dutchess Counties since 1989.