Caring for your framed art

Specialty picture framing glass - If you have ever left a newspaper on a windowsill for a long period of time, you’ll know the kind of damage that ultraviolet rays can cause. Works of art are just as susceptible to this damage and the effects are cumulative and lasting; but since they occur subtly and over time, they can often be difficult to notice. The symptoms include faded colours, yellowing, bleaching of paper fibres and the darkening of certain pigments. In addition, paper and other base materials can become brittle and degrade.

Since ultraviolet rays are present in both natural and artificial light, it is not enough simply to move your frame away from direct sunlight. There are however, a number of glazing options that can reduce the effects of ultraviolet rays. We recommend glazing with a UV filter of 99 per cent, particularly for watercolours, historical pieces and other delicate works.

As well as filtering harmful UV rays, glazing can also cut down on reflection. The use of inappropriate glazing materials can turn any frame into little more than a mirror. But there is no reason why you should see your own face in a frame. In rooms with natural light, or those in which reflection cannot be avoided, we suggest using modern coated glazing; which when lit properly, is so low-reflective that it is virtually invisible.

With large works, and those that are to be shipped in their frames, it is prudent to use plastic glazing with UV filtration. Not only is this lighter and therefore much easier to move around, it also protects the artwork from becoming damaged if the glazing breaks in transit. 

 

UV FILTRATION  - Light is made up of differing wavelengths. For example a rainbow has different colours and each colour within the rainbow will have a different wavelength and each wavelength is measured in units, these are called nanometres. How large is a nanometre?

1 nanometre = 1 billionth of a meter (OR 1/80,000th of a human hair)

The most damaging light is UV (or Ultraviolet) invisible light between the 200 and 400 nanometre range, this range of light is invisible. Despite being invisible to the naked eye it is powerful enough to induce photo chemical damage to organic material such as paper or fabric, resulting in loss of colour, yellowing, bleaching, darkening and embitterment.

Ordinary Float glass filters around 54% of the harmful range, however this is NOT sufficient to offer any degree of protection. Whilst UV protection may not be an issue in certain circumstances where UV is not considered a hazard, there are still many instances where additional UV protection is still required. 

 

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