The architectural design trend of making more liberal use of windows is seemingly more popular than ever before.
Why wouldn’t it be? Adding more and/or larger windows to a room makes the space feel larger and airier.
However, while the brilliant glow of sunshine may make a room more delightful, there is a downside to it. Natural light (and to an extent, strong artificial light) is damaging to photographs, paintings and works of art on paper.
The reason is the light streaming through all those windows contains ultraviolet rays. When these rays strike the emulsified celluloid surface of a photo or the oil-based pigment brushed across the canvas of a painting, they cause fading and deterioration.
This damage doesn’t occur in a single day because the effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays are cumulative – they show up after some span of months or years.
Conservation Grade Glazing Blocks the Majority of Ultraviolet Rays
Fortunately, there is a way to counteract the effects of ultraviolet exposure.
It’s called conservation grade glazing.
Using conservation grade glazing is essential in a home where ultraviolet rays from sunlight can, for any portion of the day, strike the surfaces of your framed pictures and works of art. It is also essential in rooms where there are incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
Conservation grade glass utilizes a special film designed to reflect ultraviolet rays away from photos and paintings. Conservation grade acrylic has the ultraviolet reflecting properties built into the material.
FastFrame stores stock conservation grade glazing rated effective for blocking up to 99 percent of those harmful rays.
By shielding your photos and other works of art on paper with conservation grade glazing and, by hanging your artwork in areas that receive little or no direct sunlight, you can protect them from ultraviolet rays for years to come.
Conservation Grade Glazing is important, no question about it.
Especially in light of the continuing trend for more, and bigger, windows (as well as for brighter, artificially illuminated rooms). FastFrame experts understand glazing intimately, and they are eager to share their knowledge with you.
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