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Acrylic Glass
Overview
Acrylic glass is another term for acrylic glazing, a transparent plastic material used as a lightweight and shatter-resistant alternative to traditional picture framing glass. It is often marketed under trade names like Plexiglass® or Lucite®, and is widely used in both home and museum framing for its clarity, durability, and versatility.
Properties
- Clarity: Provides excellent transparency and is available in UV-filtering and anti-reflective forms.
- Lightweight: Less than half the weight of glass, making it ideal for large or heavy artworks.
- Shatter resistance: Much safer than glass, as it does not produce sharp shards when broken.
- Workability: Can be cut, drilled, or shaped with appropriate tools such as an acrylic saw blade.
Applications in Framing
- Standard protection: Used in place of glass for general framing purposes.
- Museum use: High-quality acrylic glazing is favored for conservation purposes, especially with UV protection and anti-reflective coatings.
- Oversized artwork: Preferred when weight and safety are concerns, such as in large wall installations.
- Transport and shipping: Less prone to breakage than traditional glass, reducing the risk of damage during handling.
Care and Maintenance
- Clean only with a soft microfiber cloth and a non-ammonia-based acrylic cleaner.
- Avoid paper towels or abrasive materials that can scratch the surface.
- Protect from prolonged direct sunlight unless using UV-filtering versions.
Framing Industry Context
In the framing industry, acrylic glass has largely replaced regular glass in many applications due to its light weight, safety benefits, and conservation-grade options. Customers choosing between regular acrylic and higher-grade acrylic glazing should weigh factors like UV protection, clarity, and budget. Framers often recommend it for valuable or irreplaceable artwork, as well as for large pieces that would be impractical with heavy glass.