REVIEW: Eisenglass vs Vinyl, Polycarbonate, Strataglass, and More!

Eisenglass (or Isinglass) is a German name that means “iron glass.” Two materials share this name– one being a jelly-like substance derived from fish, and the other being a transparent window material used in some of the earliest vehicles, boats, lamps, and carriages. 

Eisenglass is a transparent material made from mica and other minerals. These minerals are combined then cut into thin sheets often used to make boat windows, lampshades, street lights, and automobile parts. 

So, let’s talk about this fascinating material and get down to the details on Eisenglass. I’ll teach you about this material, help you understand how long it lasts and how to restore it, and compare it to the common materials used for similar purposes.

Do you want to get Eisenglass for your boat but don’t have the time to do your own research, then here’s a link to amazon for the best balance between price and quality.

Gabo

What Is Eisenglass? 

Before delving into the finer details of Eisenglass, let’s gain a general understanding of this popular product. 

Eisenglass is a mineral composite made from mica, potassium, or aluminum. These shiny, clear minerals are ideal for cutting into sheets of transparent material. This window-like substance shares its name with a collagen-rich jelly processed from fish air bladders. 

Eisenglass is a generic name, and it has somehow come to mean two different things at once. 

Firstly, the name refers to a gelatinous substance made from pulverized fish air bladders harvested from fish such as sturgeon and cod. People primarily used this sticky stuff to make cement and glues, and it is still used as a clarifying agent in beer and other alcoholic beverages. 

However, we aren’t genuinely concerned with fish bladders here. When you bring up the name Eisenglass, most people mean the mineral, which creates some of the sturdiest windows and glass-like substances around. 

As a form of mica, Eisenglass is heat-resistant, almost wholly shatterproof, and flexible. That’s the primary reason it was a popular substance for creating lantern and streetlight covers. 

When referring to modern vinyl Eisenglass windows for boats, there are four main types : 

Polycarbonate Eisenglass

Polycarbonate Eisenglass windows are highly durable and transparent panels for boats. Their rigid and shock-resistant properties make them suitable for even the stormiest ocean conditions. 

Although polycarbonate Eisenglass provides excellent visibility and can be treated with a UV and scratch-resistant coating, it is pricey. 

If you like to roll up your Eisenglass windows when you don’t use them, polycarbonate may not be suitable as it is too brittle to roll. 

Polyester 

Polyester Eisenglass windows are flexible and soft, and you can roll them up when not in use. 

Uncoated polyester Eisenglass is a cost-effective option but doesn’t offer vinyl-coated polyester’s superior protection and longevity. 

A benefit to choosing polyester Eisenglass is its waterproof properties, which are essential when boating. 

Pressed and Polished Sheets

Pressed and polished Eisenglass sheets are more expensive than rolled Eisenglass. However, they provide better clarity that lasts for longer. 

Their polished and protective coating provides excellent scratch-resistance and protection against pollution, mineral deposits, and UV rays. It also seals in the Eisenglass’s plasticizers so that they don’t break down as readily, preventing brittleness, cloudiness, and yellowing. 

Acrylic

Another suitable Eisenglass option for rough maritime conditions is acrylic Eisenglass. 

Acrylic Eisenglass is expensive but offers excellent visibility and shock resistance. Unless it has a protective coating or you maintain it regularly, you’ll soon notice tiny scratches in your Eisenglass. 

Which Eisenglass Windows Are Best For You? 

Now that we’ve discussed the different kinds of Eisenglass windows, you might wonder which is the most suitable type for your needs. With Eisenglass, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. 

The best Eisenglass windows for you depends on four primary considerations: 

1. The material’s gauge.
2. Optical clarity and protective coating.
3. How to store the Eisenglass.
4. The material’s cost. 

1. The Material’s Gauge

Gauge refers to the Eisenglass window thickness and flexibility. 

For instance, a ten gauge window will be 0.010 inches (0.025cm) thick, while a 40 gauge window has a 0.040-inch (0.10cm) thickness. 

Thicker gauge Eisenglass is typically less flexible than thinner varieties. 

A thicker gauge is more suitable if you need Eisenglass to protect you from rough sea conditions. You can get away with a thinner gauge if, for instance, you only use your boat for short trips on a protected lake. 

2. Optical Clarity and Protective Coating

The optical clarity is a vital consideration when selecting Eisenglass. 

High-quality Eisenglass with a protective coating generally has better optical clarity than the more cost-effective, uncoated varieties. 

If you don’t mind cleaning and protecting your Eisenglass with approved products more often, lower optical clarity Eisenglass may suit you. 

A protective coating has the added benefit of prolonging the life of your Eisenglass by providing UV protection and preventing the plasticizers from breaking down and causing the Eisenglass to become brittle, cloudy, and yellow. 

3. How To Store the Eisenglass

Some Eisenglass types must be stored flat, while you may be able to roll up others when you aren’t using them. 

Many boat owners don’t have space to store their Eisenglass flat, making rolling the only option. Polyester and vinyl-coated polyester Eisenglass is safe to roll, while polycarbonate Eisenglass must be stored flat. 

4. The Material’s Cost

Cost is another critical consideration. While the more expensive Eisenglass windows tend to offer better quality and longevity, if you maintain your Eisenglass regularly, even the more cost-effective varieties can last up to five years. 

Coated Eisenglass is more costly but can save you money in the long term as you won’t have to replace it as regularly. 

How Is Eisenglass Used? 

Eisenglass is used to make windows for cars and boats, and it is also a popular material for street light covers and lampshades since it is transparent and can withstand weather better than standard glass and vinyl. 

Here is how Eisenglass is used: 

• Boat windows. Nowadays, the most popular use for Eisenglass is in boats. This clear substance can make boat windows last longer, and it withstands rough storms better than actual glass. 
• Automobile windows. Historically, Eisenglass was the preferred material for car windows since it is more durable than glass. The flexible varieties also allowed you to roll down your windows in the 19th century. 
• Street lamp and lantern covers. Eisenglass makes excellent street lamp and lantern covers with its heat-resistant and shock-proof qualities. 

How Do You Care For Eisenglass?

Eisenglass is a powder and can quickly take on an opaque appearance when dust and dirt accumulate. It also becomes brittle and yellow the more it is exposed to sunlight. 

You can care for Eisenglass by cleaning and polishing it regularly to remove salt deposits and dirt. Eisenglass scratches easily, so you should only wash it once you have gently drenched it in water. For best results, use only boat, Eisenglass, or vinyl-specific cleaners.  

After rinsing your Eisenglass, don’t allow it to air-dry as the water may leave mineral deposits that can leave behind a film. If you live in an area with hard water, you might consider using a water softener to counteract the high mineral content. 

Wiping it gently with an absorbent, microfiber cloth is the best way to dry Eisenglass. 

Avoid the use of squeegees, sponges, cleaning brushes, dirty rags, and paper towels. These products accumulate dirt particles quickly and can easily scratch the delicate Eisenglass surface. 

You should also avoid ammonia-based cleaners, dishwashing detergent, solvents, alcohol, regular household and window cleaners, and furniture polishes. It’s challenging to rinse these products off Eisenglass effectively, and they typically leave a thin layer of residue that can promote mold growth. 

Cleaners for Eisenglass and vinyl are better options as they help remove tiny scratches, stains, yellowing, and salt deposits. After applying the product to your Eisenglass, allow it to dry, and buff it off gently in small circles. There is no need to rinse it off. 

If you store your Eisenglass and canvas panels during the summer and take them out when the weather becomes colder, try and fold them as little as possible to prevent cracks. 

Storing Eisenglass flat is the best way, but rolling it up if you don’t have space is acceptable. In this case, you should roll the Eisenglass panel top to bottom and place a layer of plain white on top paper before rolling it up so that the Eisenglass doesn’t stick to itself. 

It’s vital to ensure that your Eisenglass is completely dry before storing it away, as even tiny water particles can cause it to become cloudy. 

You should also handle Eisenglass incredibly carefully when taking it out of storage as it cracks more quickly in cooler weather. 

To prevent your Eisenglass panels from shrinking, consider keeping them anchored in place when they’re on your boat.  

How Long Does Eisenglass Last?

Eisenglass typically lasts between 3 and 5 years under normal maritime conditions. If you clean it regularly with boat soap or Eisenglass cleaner and use an Eisenglass polish to protect it from UV damage, it can last up to 7 years. Coated Eisenglass has protective properties and tends to last longer. 

Regularly applying a UV protector and removing cloudy deposits can keep it looking transparent and in good condition. 

Eisenglass eventually reaches a point where restoring products no longer works. However, the stitching fixing the Eisenglass to the canvas is typically the first area to come apart and show signs of wear and tear. 

Can Eisenglass Be Restored?

Over the years, Eisenglass can gradually appear cloudy and yellow, restricting your view. It can also develop tiny scratches, further impeding its clarity. 

As a vinyl material, Eisenglass contains plasticizers that gradually break down, causing it to appear brittle and hazy. The sun accelerates this process, and protecting your Eisenglass from UV rays is helpful. 

You can restore Eisenglass with an Eisenglass restoring kit. These are typically two-step kits consisting of an Eisenglass cleaner, restorer, and polish. The restoring cleaner removes stains and scratches, while the polish protects it from UV damage, salt deposits, and hard water spots. 

To restore Eisenglass, gently apply the restoring cleaner and allow it to dry. After gently buffing the dried cleaner away to remove scratches and stains, use the polish and wipe it off when it’s dry. 

You can buy an Eisenglass restoring kit online or at a boat supply store. This Eisenshine – Clear Vinyl Restoration Kit is available on Amazon.com and contains everything you need to restore your Eisenglass, including some soft microfiber cloths for buffing. 

How Does Eisenglass Compare To Vinyl? 

Eisenglass and vinyl are the same things, with Eisenglass being a well-known term to describe the transparent enclosures used with canvas for boat enclosures. All Eisenglass windows contain vinyl, and the main differences lie in their thickness, optical clarity, and cost. 

How Do You Repair Eisenglass?

Eisenglass is prone to cracking and tearing, especially if it is more than two years old.

A clear tear patch is the only way to repair torn or cracked Eisenglass. Although they’re transparent, tear patches are not completely clear and may obstruct your view through the Eisenglass. Alternatively, a marine fabricator can replace the problematic panel, or you can do it yourself. 

The most popular and effective tear patch is Tear-Aid Vinyl Repair Kit (available on Amazon.com). They’re easy to apply to Eisenglass and provide additional tear and UV resistance. After using the patch, you should wait 24 hours to allow it to cure. 

Replacing an Eisenglass window is easier than it sounds. After loosening it by gently removing the stitching, measure the dimensions so that you can buy a new panel at a boating store or online. 

Buying a roll of Eisenglass is an excellent idea as you can cut your Eisenglass windows to size and keep the rest until you need to replace another panel. This Gauge Clear Vinyl Multipurpose Fabric (available on Amazon.com) comes in a 3 yard (2.4 meters) roll, and it is thick enough to withstand stormy ocean conditions. 

Final Thoughts

When referring to Eisenglass today, it typically means the transparent vinyl enclosures seen on boats and marquees. 

Eisenglass windows are made from multiple materials and come in various levels of thickness and optical clarity. They can also be coated to provide UV and mineral deposit protection. 

You can prolong the life of your Eisenglass by using only approved cleaning products, not allowing it to air dry, and polishing it regularly.