Thick, Tempered, UV glass?

[Bandsaw]

Framing a valuable item which will go on display in a public place. Any ideas about a secure glass with suitable conservation properties? Cost is no problem.

 

[Framing Goddess]

The museums use Schott glass, which is laminated, UV (?), anti-reflective glass and it is a good thing that cost is no problem.

http://www.us.schott.com/architecture/english/products/non_reflective_glass/index.html

edie the neveruseditthough goddess

 

[Jim Miller]

You didn't say bulletproof. Why does it have to be glass?

Museum Optium Acrylic is available in sheets of 41" x 71" x 2mm thick, or 72" x 120" x 6mm thick. Acrylic has 20 times the shatter resistance of typical glass, and half the weight.

 

[JohnR]

I second the acrylic recommendation. I've been to many museums and bulky/3D items are almost always in nice acrylic display cases. Even regular acrylic blocks the higher energetic UV radiation that regular glass lets through that can damage art. Beware that thick glass will tint the light greenish.

It requires different procedures in handling, but it is easy to use with practice. It is not as scratch resistant as glass, but it is more scratch resistant than the styrene crap used in cheap poster frames. Run your fingernail over styrene and it will leave a mark. That stuff gives acrylic a bad name. Plastic glazing is not all the same!

If scratch resistance is important it can be had with an abrasion resistant coating.

John

 

[Matt Dalbke]

Laminated Luxar would be a good option here. The product consists of 2 pieces of water white glass laminated together and then coated anti-reflective. The result is a product that is 99% UV filtering as well as anti-reflective. IF the glass were to be broken, the peices would stick together (similar to the way a car windshield works)

If weight is an issue, Tru Vue Optium IFA 6mm Acrylic would be another good option.

Feel free to call or email me for a quote.


Thanks,
Matt

 

[preservator]

One important question is how close the public could get to this lite of glazing material. Opitum
is a tremendously useful material, but it shows
finger prints very well. If the item can not be
touched, it should not need dusting, given the
static dispersing tin oxide coating on the Optium.
If the public can touch the frame, Amiran or Luxar
may work better, for cleaning off prints.


Hugh

 

[Bandsaw]

Thank you.

This one is going to be tough!

The public will be able to touch the glazing and will.

The frame will be about 60 high by 40 wide and about 6 inches thick.

There has to be glass on the back and front.

It has to be anchored securely in place but removable.

It will travel around the community at times.

The item would be a target for theft.

A cabinetmaker will do the woodwork to my design.