When custom framing a work of art, the glazing you choose plays a critical role in preserving and presenting your piece. Glazing refers to the protective material—either glass or acrylic—placed over the artwork in a frame. More than just a transparent shield, glazing offers UV protection, glare reduction, and a physical barrier against dust, scratches, and environmental damage.
At Frames & Stretchers, our NYC and Miami custom framing studios specialize in museum-quality framing and conservation. That means we use the highest-grade glazing available to ensure your art looks beautiful and stays protected for years to come. We recommend Museum Glass® and Optium Museum Acrylic® in most cases, but each project is different—and choosing the right glazing depends on your artwork’s size, location, value, and viewing experience.
Here’s our expert breakdown of the best glazing options for artwork, photographs, and 3D pieces—plus an expanded comparison between acrylic and glass to help you make the right choice.
Glazing is more than just a final touch—it protects your artwork from:
- Harmful UV rays that cause fading
- Dust, dirt, and pollutants
- Accidental scratches and smudges
- Reflections and glare that obscure details
- Changes in humidity or temperature (especially in Miami and NYC climates)
For collectors, artists, galleries, and interior designers, choosing the right glazing is essential for long-term conservation and aesthetic clarity.
Premium Clear Glass or Acrylic
40% UV Protection | No Anti-Reflective Coating | Budget-Friendly
This is the most affordable glazing option, commonly used for posters or decorative prints. However, it offers only 40% UV protection and no anti-glare technology, making it unsuitable for fine art. At Frames & Stretchers, we generally do not recommend Premium Clear unless it’s for temporary or non-archival framing.
Conservation Clear Glass or Acrylic
99% UV Protection | No Anti-Reflective Coating | Archival-Grade
This is an excellent choice for works on paper, photographs, and any artwork needing protection from fading and light damage. Available in both glass and acrylic formats, Conservation Clear blocks 99% of UV light and helps preserve your artwork’s colors and materials. However, it lacks anti-reflective coating, which can cause glare under certain lighting conditions—especially on dark-toned or highly detailed pieces.
Ultravue by Tru Vue
70% UV Protection | Anti-Reflective | Up to 36" x 48"
This is a great mid-range choice for glare reduction without the full price of Museum Glass. Ultravue provides an anti-reflective coating and 70% UV protection. It’s ideal for vibrant or dark-toned works where clarity matters but where full museum-grade protection isn’t necessary. Ultravue glazing allows for crisp visibility while still offering moderate protection, making it popular for home or office installations.
Museum Glass by Tru Vue
99% UV Protection | Anti-Reflective | Up to 32" x 40"
Museum Glass is our top recommendation for works on paper, photography, drawings, and even mixed media pieces. It combines the highest level of UV protection with nearly invisible anti-reflective coating, providing unmatched clarity and protection. Your artwork looks like it’s unglazed while being fully shielded. Museum Glass is best for small to mid-size artworks and is used in major museums and galleries across the world.
Optium Museum Acrylic
99% UV Protection | Anti-Reflective | Lightweight and Shatter-Resistant
Optium Museum Acrylic is the premium choice for large-scale works, valuable pieces, or framed items that need to travel. It offers all the benefits of Museum Glass—superior clarity, anti-glare, and 99% UV protection—but with the added advantages of being lightweight and shatterproof. This makes it the glazing of choice for oversized pieces, three-dimensional artworks, and art being shipped, installed, or moved frequently.
Plexiglass Display Boxes and Shadow Boxes
Various Levels of UV Protection | Custom Depths | Full Visibility
For objects like textiles, collectibles, or 3D sculptures, we create custom plexiglass display boxes and shadow boxes. These provide full visibility, dust protection, and UV resistance. Plexibox frames can be made with standard acrylic for affordability or Optium Museum Acrylic for the highest level of conservation and clarity. These are ideal for sports memorabilia, artifacts, and installation pieces meant to be viewed from multiple angles.
One of the most common framing questions we get is: should I choose acrylic or glass? Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Glass: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Scratch-resistant surface
- More affordable than premium acrylic
- Available in both Conservation and Museum grades
- Provides excellent clarity (especially with anti-reflective coating)
Cons:
- Heavier than acrylic
- Fragile—can shatter or crack if dropped
- Not recommended for large-scale or frequently transported pieces
Acrylic: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight and ideal for large artwork
- Shatter-resistant—great for shipping or travel
- Optium Museum Acrylic offers unmatched anti-reflective and UV protection
- Safer for environments with kids or high foot traffic (e.g. hotels, public buildings)
Cons:
- Can scratch more easily than glass
- Premium versions like Optium are more expensive
When to Use Acrylic Over Glass
If you're framing oversized art (larger than 32"x40"), acrylic is generally the better option. It’s also ideal for works that need to travel, be installed in commercial settings, or go into humid environments like Miami’s coastal interiors. For these reasons, Optium Museum Acrylic is a favorite among collectors, galleries, and art fairs.
What Artwork Does Not Need Any Glazing?
Not all artwork requires glazing—particularly pieces painted on canvas. At Frames & Stretchers, we typically recommend floater frames for artworks on stretched canvas, especially oil paintings. Floater frames provide excellent protection while allowing the artwork to “breathe.”
Oil-based paints continue to off-gas chemicals over time. If such works are enclosed behind glazing, these gasses can build up, potentially causing discoloration, cracking, or chemical reactions that damage the surface of the painting. That’s why we avoid glazing for most oil paintings on canvas, unless the piece is unusually fragile or exposed to extreme environmental conditions. In those rare cases, we use spacers or sealed enclosures designed for conservation. But for the majority of canvas pieces—especially modern and contemporary works—glazing is not necessary and can even be harmful.
So, What’s the Best Glazing for Your Artwork?
Our general recommendation: start with 99% UV protection. Whether you choose Museum Glass or Optium Museum Acrylic depends on size, clarity needs, budget, and where the artwork will be displayed.
- For small- to medium-size fine art: Choose Museum Glass.
- For large, high-value, or traveling art: Go with Optium Museum Acrylic.
- For moderate budgets: Conservation Clear Glass or Acrylic is a reliable option.
- For 3D items or memorabilia: Consider a custom Plexibox with UV-protective acrylic.
Final Thoughts: Choose Glazing That Honors Your Art
Framing is more than a presentation—it’s preservation. Choosing the right glazing is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when framing your artwork. Whether you’re protecting an original painting, a signed photograph, or a family heirloom, our team at Frames & Stretchers will help you find the perfect solution.
We work with artists, collectors, galleries, interior designers, and institutions across New York City and Miami. All custom framing is completed in-house, and our glazing options are always archival, museum-quality, and tailored to your specific needs.
Contact Us for a Custom Framing Consultation
Visit us in NYC or Miami, or schedule a virtual consultation. Let’s preserve your art—beautifully and professionally.
📍 NYC Showroom: 107 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002
📍 Miami Showroom: 230 NW 71st St, Miami, FL 33150
🌐 www.framesandstretchers.com
Have an unstretched canvas? Our custom framers in New York and Miami explain the best ways to frame it without stretching — no studio visit required to learn how.
