1. Why Acrylic Glazing Choice Matters
Acrylic glazing is more than a protective cover. It influences the look of your artwork, its long term preservation, and how easy it is to hang or ship the frame. For most custom frames, acrylic glazing from the Acrylic and Glass Glazing section of WebPictureFrames.com is the recommended choice.
- Protects artwork from dust, fingerprints, and moisture.
- Provides UV filtering when you choose UV or conservation-grade acrylic.
- Reduces reflections when using non-glare acrylic.
- Keeps frames lightweight and safer for large sizes.
- Reduces risk of breakage during shipping.
2. Acrylic Versus Glass In Picture Framing
Both acrylic and traditional glass are used in picture frames, but each behaves differently.
| Feature | Acrylic Glazing | Glass Glazing |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Very lightweight. Ideal for large wood frames, metal frames. | Heavy and more difficult to hang in larger sizes. |
| Impact resistance | Shatter resistant. Excellent for frames shipped nationwide. | Can break into sharp pieces. |
| Clarity | Excellent clarity in premium acrylic. | Glass may show green tint depending on thickness. |
| Scratch resistance | Can scratch if cleaned improperly. | More resistant to small scratches. |
| UV protection | Available in UV filtering and conservation grade acrylic. | Available in UV glass varieties. |
You can browse acrylic options at: https://www.webpictureframes.com/catalog3/31/acrylic-glass.html
3. Key Factors When Choosing Acrylic Glazing
3.1 Clarity And Finish
- Clear Acrylic: Best for bright, sharp detail in artwork.
- Non-Glare Acrylic: Helps reduce reflections in bright rooms.
You can find both finishes in the WPF glazing catalog: Clear and Non-Glare Acrylic Sheets
3.2 UV Protection And Conservation Grade
If you are framing valuable art, family photos, or prints that fade easily, choose conservation-grade acrylic from:
3.3 Size, Weight, And Hanging
Acrylic is lightweight, making it ideal for large formats and for frames built with:
3.4 Durability, Static, And Cleaning
To prevent scratching, use a soft microfiber cloth from the WPF cleaning kit: Acrylic Cleaning and Polishing Kit
3.5 Budget And Value
Standard acrylic is cost effective for posters and decor prints. UV or non-glare acrylic is worth the upgrade for bright rooms or valuable artwork.
4. Step By Step: How To Choose Acrylic For Your Frame
-
Identify your artwork type.
If your art is valuable or irreplaceable, choose conservation-grade material from: Conservation Acrylic Options
-
Study your display environment.
Is the frame near windows or bright lights? If yes, consider Non-Glare Acrylic.
-
Install and maintain properly.
Use the acrylic-safe cleaning kit: Acrylic Cleaning Kit
5. Common Glazing Mistakes To Avoid
- Using clear acrylic in a bright room instead of non-glare acrylic.
- Skipping UV protection for sentimental or valuable artwork.
- Choosing glass for frames too large to hang safely.
- Allowing artwork to touch the glazing instead of using Frame Spacers.
- Cleaning acrylic with ammonia-based cleaners instead of WPF acrylic-safe products.
6. Quick Reference: Which Acrylic Glazing Should I Pick?
| Situation | Recommended Acrylic Glazing |
|---|---|
| Large artwork | Standard Acrylic |
| Artwork near windows | Non-Glare UV Acrylic |
| Expensive originals or heirlooms | Conservation Acrylic |
| Everyday decor prints | Standard Clear Acrylic |
| Schools, offices, public spaces | Shatter-Resistant Acrylic |
7. Frequently Asked Questions About Acrylic Glazing
Does acrylic glazing yellow?
No. High-quality acrylic sheets sold on WPF are formulated to resist yellowing.
Is acrylic safe for shipped frames?
Yes. It is shatter-resistant and ideal for shipping large frames.
Can I clean acrylic with glass cleaner?
No. Use WebPictureFrames Acrylic Cleaning and Polishing Kit.
