Which glass should go in your frame?

Choosing a frame is the fun part. You select a profile, choose a mat colour, and imagine the picture on the wall. Then there's a dropdown for glass, and you can choose what you want — most people go for the default (standard clear).

It's worthwhile considering which glass you select, as it's the quality of the glass that decides how good your artwork or photo looks in years to come. Here's a guide to the three types of glass we offer.

What the glass is protecting against

Dust, spider and fly spots, UV light, moisture, fingerprints. Two key factors to consider are fading and reflection.

Fading. Ultraviolet light breaks down the dyes and pigments in printed material. It's why a poster in a sunny spot fades, why photographs change colour, and why paper yellows and grows brittle over the years. It happens slowly enough that you don't notice week to week, but when you compare it with something new, it becomes obvious.

Reflection. The other aspect is simply seeing the image. Light bounces off glass, so if a frame is hung opposite a window you will see reflection.

Standard glass does a reasonable job most of the time — upgrading offers more clarity and protection of your image.

The three options

Standard — Clear glass

Clean and clear. This is the most popular choice. It's economical and protects your image from the elements.

Standard glass offers a small amount of UV protection — about 20–45%.

Conclear 99% UV Protection — For ultimate protection against UV

Conservation Clear filters out 99% of ultraviolet light. It looks like clear glass in terms of reflection, but has a protective layer on one side of the glass. This is the glass we recommend you use for tertiary qualifications and special artworks.

The upgrade is modest against the cost of the frame, and it really makes a difference between a certificate that still looks great in twenty years and one that has visibly aged.

UV70 Low Reflection — When you want optimum clarity

Low reflection and 70% UV protection. The anti-reflective surface means the glass largely disappears and you see the image rather than the room behind you.

This is a premium glass which reduces reflections by more than 87%. It's like magic. It's the top of the range for superior visibility, and the difference is obvious the moment the image is on the wall.

One aspect worth noting: it filters 70% of UV, whereas Conclear filters 99%. So if preservation matters more to you than glare, Conclear is the one to go for.

What's behind the glass?

It's not just the glass that protects your image — it's the materials that come in contact with the image as well. Some backings contain acid which can leach over time, causing damage and discoloration. We only use acid-free matboards and backings, to ensure your image is well protected. Select UV glass and you have a frame made to last.

Where you hang it still matters

No glass makes a piece immune. UV filtering substantially slows fading, but light, heat and humidity all take their toll, and direct sunlight will eventually mark almost anything.

So the cheapest protection is free: keep irreplaceable pieces off walls that get direct sun, away from heat pumps and fireplaces, and out of steamy bathrooms. Do that and put UV glass in your frame, and you'll have your picture looking at its best for years to come.

Not sure which to choose?

Give us a call, or send us an email — tell us what you are framing and where you'll be hanging it and we'll make a recommendation. We've been framing since 1996, and selling quality New Zealand made frames online since 2004.