When having your artwork framed, choosing the right type of glass can be a complicated decision.  DID YOU KNOW? that there are at least 8 different kinds of glazing material available, depending on the style of your art, the media, type of frame, where you'll be hanging it, and the size of the piece itself.

The glass you select must properly protect your art, but the final framed piece must look appealing.  How do you know which kind will be best for your particular work? Talk to us about all the options—we can help you sort out the choices depending on your needs and budget.

CLEAR GLASS

Clear glass is the most common type of glazing.  It is durable and scratch-resistant, and easy to keep clean.  The disadvantages of clear glass are that many types are very breakable, and they weigh more than acrylic glazing alternatives.  Glass does not offer much UV filtering (less than 50%).  If you are hanging your artwork in a place with direct, or bright sunlight, glass may not be the best choice.

NON-GLARE GLASS

If you are hanging your artwork in a location where reflections may be a problem, non-glare glass can improve the look of the framed piece.  However, the non-glare texture can make your work look diffused and less “sharp.”  Like regular clear glass, non-glare glass does not provide adequate UV protection.

REDUCED REFLECTION GLASS

Recent advances in glazing technology have produced reduced reflection glass.  It significantly reduces glare, but without the diffusion characteristics.  This glass is almost invisible, and it is also quite expensive.  It is breakable, and requires more care to clean, and doesn't offer any significant UV protection.

UV PROTECTION—CONSERVATION GLAZING

Adding a special coating to glass provides ultraviolet protection for your artwork.  UV protection is available for clear and non-glare glass.  Also known as conservation glazing, it filters out more than 97% of the harmful ultraviolet radiation.  Conservation glass will significantly reduce the fading of your artwork.

MUSEUM GLASS

Museum glass provides the BEST PROTECTION for your artwork.  Museum glass comes in several varieties—from crystal clear, to a tempered type that has a layer of acrylic between two layers of glass. Regardless of the kind of museum glass you choose, all have outstanding UV protection.  As you may have guessed, this is the most expensive glazing, but for your most valuable works, there is nothing that will protect and preserve better.

ACRYLIC GLAZING

Acrylic Glazing is not glass, but a plastic-like material.  Most people refer to it as “Plexiglass,” which is actually a brand name of acrylic.  The advantages of acrylic are: it's LIGHTWEIGHT (great for very large works); it doesn't break easily; and it has a higher level of UV protection than regular glass.  Acrylics are softer than glass, so they are more prone to scratch easily, can accumulate static, and get dustier faster than glass.

Whether it's your living room, boardroom, or gallery, at Fleet Galleries, we can make your art work!