Where to buy Frosted Plexiglass

Hi, I want to buy a piece of frosted plexiglass (about 3'x4') to use as a

background for studio shoots, and maybe as a diffusion panel for firing strobes

through sometimes. I'll mainly use it as a background however, lit from behind.

 

i.e. http://www.photo.net/photo/3264340

 

I'm located in Sacramento, CA, and when I went to my local plastic store they

wanted $9.50 per square foot for 1/4" thickness, which came out to about

$120.00. I'm a student and would really like to find it for less, and I found

it hard to believe that it was that expensive. Are there any cheaper

alternatives that are equally effective? Is this unusually expensive?

 

Thanks for any advice.

Genuine Plexiglass is ideed very expenmsive ,you should go to a glass/window/door shop , might have more affordable alternatives.

Saw the following technique on a DIY cable channel, but it was used more for interior decorating. Using clear plexiglass (From local/major home center) they sanded one side of it. That scored one side and it became diffused. They used a palm sander I believe. Looked pretty good to me. IF you had a piece of scrap plexiglass to work and see if it would work for you. I don't know how much money you would save by buying clear plexiglass over already frosted. I don't know the forum rules on posting links to other sites, but the project may be on DIY cable channel website. Anyways good luck.

Josh, If you are just wanting to light through it like your example, and not use it like a

surface, then you could save money just buying diffusion paper. You might have to double

the layers to soften the light enough. Look at drafting supply stores for wide vellum paper

on rolls or if you can afford it Lee/Rosco diffusion material on rolls. As for your plexiglass

dilema, I think your plastic store is a little high! You should be able to get a 4x4 sheet for

under a hundred bucks.