Big glass source in downstate NY

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shayok

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Posts
14
Location
White Plains, NY
Hello All,

I've been digging up old answers from the archives for months now before I finally have a question that's not been answered already.

I sell my framed photographs and so far I've been buying single-strength glass from a local hardware store which seems to be the only reasonably priced retail source for glass nearby. This is Westchester county after all. Now I need a really big piece - in the neighborhood of 35"x50" (I'm flexible because I can print to my size). This store doesnt carry it. So my question is: where do all you framers in the area get your glass from? Is it possible to get such a big size in small (say one or two) quantities? I do not have a loading dock, but I do have a full-size van.

Thanks,
Shayok
 
Curved Glass 800 922 1369 in CT (they might deliver to Westchester, not sure).

Also, AIN Plastics, for plexi, in MT. Vernon. Not sure they carry glass, but would assume so: 914 662 4837

Bear Glass in Brooklyn: 718 832 3604

DON-MAR also carries glass 800 556-7428

And M & M: 800 526 2302
 
Single strength glass in this size is unwieldy and kind of heavy. It can break under its own weight if not lifted correctly. While stronger, thicker glass is very heavy and adds more of a green cast to the work.

For pieces this size, I recommend acrylic glazing. It is half the weight of glass, no color cast, much better UV filtering and is safe to handle. Forget the under .1” thicknesses, go for the 1/8” material for this size.

With proper cleaning, it will last the life of the framing.
John
 
Thank you for your suggestions. My past experience with plexi has been bad on two counts: (a) plexi not being completely flat (note the wavy reflections of straight lines) it has a tendency to touch the artwork, especially if the latter is not dry mounted. Of course a work of this size will be dry mounted so maybe this will not be a problem. (b) I do outdoor art fairs, so my pieces travel quite a bit and dont always get the TLC they deserve, and plexi gets scratched terribly easily. I guess this is what John was refering to by "proper cleaning".

Currently the biggest size of glass I handle is 32"x32" and I have managed to break at least one piece by holding it horizontally by one end, so honestly I'm not really looking forward to cleaning and handling a much bigger piece.
 
Originally posted by shayok:
Hello All,

and so far I've been buying single-strength glass from a local hardware store which seems to be the only reasonably priced retail source for glass nearby. Now I need a really big piece - in the neighborhood of 35"x50"
Click to expand...
Have you tried going to a custom framer in your area? They can get glass for you in 40 x 60 size. Or did you try and fine their prices not reasonable compared to your hardware store. You can't really compare the price of an oversize glass to the smaller stuff. We do pay a premium for the larger sizes ourselves and have to buy a case at a time not one sheet at a time as the retail customer does.
 
Shayok,
Handled a lot, outdoor fairs? You still want to use glass in that large piece? The heavier acrylic tends to stay flatter. Some brands of acrylic are better than others. I've seen some cheap stuff with waves and streaky looking reflections like an old glass window pane. Yuck!

Avoid styrene panels. Yes, it looks like acrylic and has a low price, but it comes too thin, too brittle and scratches very easy. It gives acrylic a bad name.

I've had the best luck using Cyro Acrylite brands. Some types can be ordered with abrasion resistant coatings to protect it from scratches.
John
 
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