Expansion and Contraction of acrylic & Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Acrylic sheet expands and contracts approximately 3 times more than metals and 8 times more than glass. A calculation for expansion and contraction is as follows:

Total Movement (in) = Sheet Length x Temperature Difference x Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

For Dark Sheets — Multiply the Total Movement by a 1.4 safety factor due to solar energy absorption.

Installation should occur in the mid-temperature range because at this point the expansion and contraction is at the minimum.