Glass Alternatives: Prevent the 7 Years of Bad Luck

Prevent the 7 Years of Bad Luck:

Frame USA gLAZING OPTIONS

No we’re not talking about the glazing on donuts, glazing to the framing industry is just a fancy word for the material that stands between your piece and the outside world. Primarily it is known as glass to the consumers however that is not always the material used. We’ve written previously about the different types of glass we have available in our retail frame shop but what exactly does that mean for our loyal internet customers? This question along with many other glazing related questions brings us to our next topic of Frame USA Q&A.

Thanks to our handy concise guide to Frame USA Products that we wrote last week you now know what your frame comes with, so now it is time to explain the material that protects the piece you are going to be framing. Frame USA has three options of glazing for our readymade frames: Standard Glass, PETG, and Acrylic. So what is the difference? We’re here to tell you!

First things first: what type of glazing is going to come with your frame? Find out below!

The reason that majority of our frames are shipped with PETG (formerly Styrene) is because PETG weighs roughly half as much as glass and is more shatter resistant than glass. We view shipping glass as most people would view giving glass to a toddler, you just wouldn’t do it, the likelihood of damage is high, and the likelihood of injury is even greater. Using PETG not only prevents your frame from arriving damage but it also reduces shipping costs.

If you HAVE to have glass in your picture frames when they are 11×17 wood frames and larger, please call and speak with one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-577-5920.

In certain cases such as you are purchasing a large quantity that is able to be shipped via freight or you are able to physically pick up your order from our warehouse.

The glazing that is used by Frame USA does not reflect ultraviolet light. Reflective glazing is used primarily for conservation framing. In contrast, the products sold by Frame USA are generally for decorative framing purposes.

The PETG ships with a thin plastic film that protects both sides of the plastic during shipping and retail display. The protective coating is the material that protects your piece from scratches, scuff marks, etc. from the outside world prior to arriving to you!

When you have picture frames hanging in your home they are bound to get dusty or dirty over time so the best way that you can clean them depends on what material you have. Glass can be cleaned with a glass cleaner however, Acrylic and PETG should only be cleaned by warm water or a soft cloth, not a solvent. The solvent in most cleaners will actually cause them to disintegrate over time.

Now that you have all the information about the material you can make a better decision on the type of frame you would like! Stay tuned next week as we discuss some specific products in greater detail.