Polycarbonate is sometimes called Lexan (trademarked name by GE Plastics) or Makrolon. One of the biggest differences between acrylic and polycarbonate is the cost. Polycarbonate sheets can cost on average about 35% more than acrylic.

Polycarbonate (PC) Polycarbonate is the toughest plastic out there, at more than 20 times stronger than acrylic and 200 times stronger than glass.

Plexiglass is a colloquial way to refer to clear acrylic sheets---making acrylic and plexiglass the same product. The origin of the term "plexiglass" comes from a brand of clear cast acrylic sheets called "Plexiglas," but today plexiglass and acrylic are often used interchangeably.

Plastic sheeting comes in various thicknesses, which are measured in "mil." A mil is equal to one-thousandth of an inch or 0.001 inch, similar to the thickness of a human hair. The most common thickness rating for plastic sheeting is 6 mil, which is 0.006 inch or 6-thousandths of an inch.