UV glass

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realhotglass

realhotglass

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Feb 20, 2003
Posts
662
Loc
Adelaide - South Australia
G'day all,
Are UV glasses worth using in day to day framing jobs ?
Reading some recent threads, it seems in direct sunlight (through windows) all work will fade very quickly, under normal or UV glass, so damaging UV spectrum is not eliminated there.
Surely if framed works are hung out of direct sunlight, it should be reasonably safe.
I assume this is the usual way to hang framing and is suggested by most framers.
A couple of points.
Normal 3mm (1'8") window glass cuts out around 35% of UV.
If windows are filmed (with solar control or even clear security film) this suposedly cuts out 99% of damging UV light.
Any thoughts or experiences ?
 
What about the lighting INSIDE the home or office? These produce damaging u/v also.

UV is our standard glass and accounts for over 98% of usage for the past 3 months. We have UV and regular priced somewhat close, so the decision is easier for the customer. We did this for liability reasons, because we feel its the right thing to do, and because the rep twisted our arm(nice guy)


Mike
 
UV glass just recently became my "default" glass, meaning I use it for all jobs unless the customer has a compelling need for something else. My reasoning is this. Even the cheapest poster (which may be the quickest to fade) is no longer cheap once the customer has spent $150 or more to frame it. It must be something meaningful. Like Mike, I have UV glass and regular priced close-enough that I have not encountered resistance.

You're right, though. With direct sunlight (especially south-facing exposure,) UV glass will not help for long. Based on my own informal tests, even the combination of UV glass and a UV window film will only slightly delay fading under those conditions, and it's important to warn the customer that UV glass will not make their art "fade-proof."
 
Like Ron, I design almost all orders with UV glass. If the customer likes the piece well enough to frame it in the first place, then I think it's safe to assume that they will want to retard fading.

I also use it on all pieces framed for sale in the store. Our lights are on 12 hours a day.

Of course there are exceptions: sometimes I glaze with plexi and sometimes I use a textured laminate.

I point out to customers that their final price includes UV glass and explain its benefits. If they prefer to save a few dollars by using regular glass, at least they are making an informed choice.

Kit
 
Light, in all wavelengths, is energy and energy
causes change. UV wavelengths have the highest
energy, but as the others have said, there is
nothing magic about 400 nanometers, where that
part of the spectrum cuts off. The visible spectrum will also cause change; as will the infra
red. Filtering out wavelengths that we can't see
is a great thing to do, but we must remember
that anything light sensitive should be exposed
to as little light as possible.

Hugh
 
Originally posted by RHODY:
What about the lighting INSIDE the home or office? These produce damaging u/v also.
Mike
Click to expand...
Yeah, good call Mike, Kit and Hugh mentioned light too.
I read somewhere fluoresent light especially produces some bad uv.
Talking to one of my framer customers today, we took a peek at the uv glass price list.
It was a shock, the Truvue was four hundred Australian dollars for a 4' x 3' sheet, compared to normal 2mm sheet at around ten dollars.
These are cost prices from LJ !
How can there be such a difference in the cost here, while it seems to be about even over there ?
Could it be this marketing by Truvue as I think Ron brought up on another thread ?
All I can say is that with the pricing differences here, it may be some time before framers will take it on here with any enthusiasm, at least for day to day jobs.
Thanks for all the follow ups guys.
 
We offer several kinds of glass, including UV clear and regular clear.We use almost all UV clear glass unless the customer insists on regular. WE make sure they understand the difference so they can make an educated decision. We also have the UV glass costs fairly close to the regular quality so it is affordable.

We also, greatly discourage non-glare glass because it absorbs UV rays. We suggest UV non glare when that is what they want. But the final decision up to the customer.

We also sell AR and plexi, both regular and UV. AR glass has really been selling.
 
Less-gotta love your Sinatra quote. My personal favorite is "Work is the curse of the drinkiing class" altho at the moment i forget to whom it is attributed.
 
To realhotglass

Try pricing UV glass at LJ as Tru-vue Conservation Clear (GCC3648). You may have been pricing Musuem Glass, also UV, but much more expensive due to Anti-reflective coating.

Pat Murphey
 
Perservator you are exactly right about light. We have had a policy for the last 20 years when a person brings in a Limited edtion print. First thing we ask did you buy it because you like it or did you buy it as a collector/investment?
If they answer Investment/collector I tell them not to frame it at all take it home put in acid free enviorment dark humidity & temperature controlled. Then explain the light thing. If they answer because they like it I still explain the light thing. But now we tell them uv glass is highly recommened but it is still their chioce.
Yes I have lost some business but in 26 years I have gained some very loyal and trusting customers.
 
I have searched out my comment
We also, greatly discourage non-glare glass because it absorbs UV rays. We suggest UV non glare when that is what they want. But the final decision up to the customer.
Click to expand...
Although our original boss kept emphasising this to our present group at our shop, I searched it out and found there is no difference in regular clear and non-glare clear glass concerning UV protection.

I guess a person needs to check out "facts" even when they come from their boss, sometimes.
 
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