At Let Us Frame It, we believe that the glass you choose is the most important part of framing your piece. That is why we use Tru Vue’s line of glass products. All Tru Vue glazing products are made from the highest quality 2.5mm thick American made glass and given the most rigorous testing for quality. Tru Vue glass products are available in three surface finishes: clear, non-glare and anti-reflective, and in two series: standard Premium and UV-coated conservation.
Glazing is a term that describes the protective covering used in picture framing. It refers to either glass or acrylic.
Non-glare picture framing glass has been etched to diffuse reflected light. The etching process also gives the glass surface a matte finish.
There are basically two different types of non-glare glass. TruVue Reflection Control products are etched on one side only. Other brands are etched on both sides. The one-sided etching process provides greater resolution and clarity while effectively controlling reflection.
The thin-film coatings on TruVue anti-reflective glass disrupt the energy contained in light waves causing them to flow out of sync. This disrupted wave pattern virtually eliminates all reflections off the glass surface.
The energy in ultraviolet light rays is high enough to sever the organic bonds of paper-borne art. In addition, UV light contributes to severe color loss, paper embrittlement and deterioration of artwork. These effects are both cumulative and irreversible.
Picture framing glass designed to block or repel damaging ultraviolet light is commonly referred to as UV-filtering glass.
No. Each company manufactures its UV-filtering glass differently. TruVue, for instance, applies a silica-based UV-inhibiting coating on the glass surface. This can be cut and handled just like regular glass.
UV-filtering glass should be used whenever there is a concern about ultraviolet light damage to the artwork. Conservation framing materials and techniques should always be used on sentimental, valuable, limited edition and one-of-a-kind artwork. There has been a trend toward using UV-filtering glass on decorative artwork presentations of posters and open edition prints. These items are candidates for UV-filtering glass because the inks, papers and other materials used to create them are more friable than those used in higher-end reproductions.
Tru-Vue Museum Glass combines the benefits of anti-reflective glass with the UV-blocking capabilities of our Conservation Series coating.
We offer plexiglass in addition to glass. Plexiglass is mainly recommended for oversized (over 40″) pieces or items hung in high traffic areas.
For additional tips, Tru Vue recommends reading a guide entitled: A Consumer Guide to Materials for Preservation Framing and the Display of Photographic Images, written by the Image Permanence Institute.
