Most glass-like plastic?

Acrylic?  Plexiglass?  Lexan?  Lucite?  Other?

This will be for a house (not a car), so I'm not concerned with shatterproof regulations, etc.  Some of it will be windows up high, and some of it will be down low. Some of it will be railings (so strength does matter)

I've got a A-frame house with a loft and a nice view. But it's got windows with old plexiglass that has fogged and scratched. Some of the large panels don't seem very strong if you lean against them. 
 

I'm looking to replace them with something that resembles glass.  I want the reflective surface, the clarity, and as much as possible the strength.  But not the cost.

To be clear, I understand whatever I buy will be expensive. But a product that costs $350 per 4x8 sheet is still cheaper than large panels of safety glass.

Suggestions?

Polycarbonate and its plastic so it has horrible uv protection even with coatings. Replace more often. Thicker tends to be better for longevity.

How about used rink glass?

Needs to ship from Iowa, but maybe worth checking cost

In reply to Ranger50 :

UV could be a issue.  Lots of sun.
 

Some of the panels are large. Like 4'x7'.  They were originally done with 1/4", which isn't enough. So I may go thicker. 

I've found used sliding glass doors for $50. I keep one around the shop for laying up fiberglass panels. I know they come in 4' widths, probably about 80" or so tall. Its usually just a few screws to get the frame off and you could end up with some good rubber weather stripping with it.

jgrewe said:

I've found used sliding glass doors for $50. I keep one around the shop for laying up fiberglass panels. I know they come in 4' widths, probably about 80" or so tall. Its usually just a few screws to get the frame off and you could end up with some good rubber weather stripping with it.

That's a good idea since it'll be tempered.

I was told you can't cut tempered glass.  You have to cut it before it gets tempered.  

I'm assuming the shapes you need to fill are triangles or trapizodes; any chance you could divide them up into smaller shapes so you could work with smaller pieces?  Some sort of artistic design sort of like stained glass, but bigger segments.

Tempered glass can't be cut.

In reply to Purple Frog :

Definitely don't want to divide it up. 

Margard polycarbonate worked for years on the racecar.

I still think tinted glass has got to be cheaper and better.

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

You may be right. 
 

But there are very few glass vendors in rural Alabama. 

Five Star - yes, the same company that builds windshields for stock cars - also has a segment of their business that builds "performance windows" for a variety of applications. I have no idea on cost or if they do small quantities, but it might be worth a look: https://www.fivestarfabricating.com/

UV is gonna fight you unless you tint it, and it will always look like plastic.

Fine for the meth lab, less fine for a cabin.