Choosing the most beneficial type of glass is essential to preserving and protecting your framed work. We carry four specific types of glass, each hand selected to match your specific piece. When selecting glass you should take into consideration the value of your piece, the amount of glare that may affect it and preserving it from ultraviolet sun rays.
Museum Glass is ideal and not only blocks out more than 98% of UV rays from hitting your piece, but also is considered the glass with the most clarity. The anti-reflective coating is not, non-glare, but takes away the reflection. It is the top of the line glass and is highly suggested for art pieces that need the extra protection from harmful ultraviolet rays that will damage the piece over time.
Non-Glare Glass which prevents light from bouncing off of the glass producing glare. It contains special coating which is applied in thin layers to protect the work. This allows frames to be displayed in direct sunlight without having to worry about the harsh glare from the sun.
Acrylic Glassis the most light weight option and offers an ultra violet protective finish, a non-glare finish and a standard finish. Acrylic is most beneficial when frames tend to be larger or if the frame is going to be shipped. It allows protection without being overly cumbersome where ever it is being displayed or hung.
Standard Glass is the most basic of all four options; it’s generally used in all types of framing but offers very little protection to the work over the years.
Caring and Cleaning Your Artwork
Properly caring for your framed art helps maintain its value and original vibrancy for future generations. Before, during, and after framing, we recommend the following guidelines when caring for your artwork. Place the framed artwork on a clean, non-abrasive surface for cleaning. Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the glass. Tru Vue recommends using a micro-fiber cloth then to reduce damage apply water or cleaning fluids by spraying cleaner onto a soft cloth and then wiping the glass. This helps prevent liquids from seeping into the frame and making colors bleed or paper buckle. Press the cloth against the glass and clean in round, circular motions.
Clean Acrylic or other acrylic-type glazing with a special Plexiglas cleaner, or with a mild detergent solution, and very soft cotton cloth. Glass cleaners that contain ammonia will cause acrylic glazing to turn yellow and improper wiping will scratch most acrylic coverings. Refrain from using glass cleaning sprays, kitchen scouring compounds or solvents such as acetone, gasoline, or lacquer to clean acrylic. Do not use dry or gritty cloths, they may cause surface scratches and create a static electric charge on the surface.
For Museum glass TruVue recommends you using an ammonia free glass cleaner like the TruVue glass cleaner (which is particularly hard to find), however they also unofficially recommend a product called ‘Sparkle Glass Cleaner’ which is proven to work best and reduces the occurrence of streaks and damage to the Museum Glass. Sparkle can be found at a local supermarket or most places that sell cleaning supplies. Please note that it comes in 2 forms. The standard purple color one is the only one that works. The eco-friendly green bottle does not.
Each type of glass is vital to the conservation and protection of your piece.
