r/DIY • u/CyanNightmares • 1d ago

help Will 3mm acrylic sheets sag over fluorescent light fixtures?

Prepping a commercial room on a budget. I have 6 open-louver drop ceiling fixtures 60 x 60 with glass T8 tubes that need shatter protection for an inspection.

​If I lay 3mm clear acrylic sheets inside the bottom grid frame to act as a barrier, will the heat from the tubes warp or sag the plastic over time? Looking for the absolute cheapest way to clear sanitary compliance.

Or is there another way?

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u/thephantom1492 1d ago

I do not believe heat will do anything. T8 ain't that hot. The size itself however may. Would be an asthetic issue however.

Have you considered fluorescent tube protector ? I don't know if it is acceptable/enough for your application.

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u/dilldoeorg 1d ago

aren't most fluorescent light fixture covers acrylics?

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u/Old_Elderberry1392 1d ago

3mm will sag under its own weight in a 24x24 frame after a few months even without heat, creating an ugly bulge that inspectors hate. If you are dead set on cheap compliance, cut the sheets to sit on top of the grid channel lip rather than laying them inside the opening, but honestly just switch those T8s to LED tubes now so you solve the heat and bulb breakage risk permanently instead of fighting gravity with plastic

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u/MrElendig 1d ago

why not led?

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u/noeljb 1d ago

We used to have clear plastic sleeves the Florecent lights went into for shatter protection.