One of the most fundamental questions consumers ask when trying to decide which types of bulbs or ornaments to purchase is: Should I buy traditional glass or shatterproof plastic? As with all things, there are advantages and disadvantages to each, so it is important to know what you are dealing with when making that decision for yourself and your family.
The advantages of shatterproof are pretty obvious: they do not shatter! That creates both a safety element and a savings element. There is no need to worry about anything breaking and leaving behind glass shards. This is especially important for homes with small children or animals. The fact that they do not break also reduces the amount of times you will have to replace them. In homes where bulbs/lights are susceptible to fall or get knocked around a lot, replacing glass ones frequently can really spike your decoration costs. Additionally, plastic is lighter than glass. For people who really like to put a lot of ornaments on their tree, the lighter shatterproof variety will help to keep the tree weight down and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Traditional glass bulbs and ornaments have an elegance to them that cannot really be described. They also naturally reflect light much better than any shiny coat can on a shatterproof bulb/ornament. They also do not fade over time, particularly the ornaments, the same way that plastic ones do. The plastic ornaments have a coat on them (which varies according to item style), which dulls a bit each year. As far as looks and overall appeal go, glass is the way to go.
If you are confident in your ability to prevent breakages, glass is the more ideal option. But between the safety issues and the cost effectiveness, especially in this current economy, shatterproof is the better way to go. The piece of mind they bring about is unmatched by any added sparkle that glass can offer. If you have any questions or concerns about glass and/or shatterproof items, do not hesitate to send an e-mail to [email protected] and someone will be happy to get back to you with all the answers you need.
