GLAZING OPTIONS WHEN FRAMING YOUR ART-WORK

1. TO GLAZE OR NOT TO GLAZE

The first decision to make is whether you actually need to use glass on your piece or not.

• YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE GLASS  if you are framing an oil or acrylic painting on canvas or board. This is because the canvas is best left uncovered in order to breath, thus preventing possible sweating and mildew growth.  Also, visually the texture of the paint can be appreciated without the visual interruption of a layer of glass on top.
• YOU DO NEED GLASS (OR AN ALTERNATIVE) if you are framing a work on paper.

2.  GLAZING OPTIONS WHEN FRAMING WORKS ON PAPER

Works on paper can include original watercolours, pastels, etchings, prints, documents and photographs.

• CLEAR GLASS protects the paper from dust, insect damage etc. and imparts an attractive "gleam"  to the finished piece.
• NON-REFLECTIVE GLASS helps reduce reflection, which can be a problem if the work has a lot of black or very dark areas which tend to act like a mirror and produce a lot of reflection.
• CONSERVATION GLASS provides protection from damaging U.V. rays which cause fading and degradation of paper and pigments.
• U.V. PERSPEX also has a high U.V. rating with the added advantage of being much lighter in weight. This is especially useful in the framing of large pieces which can be very heavy when fitted with glass. Visually, it is indistinguishable from clear glass.
• Also, for pieces of any size which require transportation, acrylic is a safer option as it is less likely to crack or shatter.

In selecting your glazing option, consideration needs to be given to the value of the piece, the size of the piece and the conditions in which it is to be hung.

Of course, we are always happy to provide reliable advice for the most suitable option for your framing project.