FOR PERFECT PRESENTATION
Types of glass for picture frames
HALBE offers a comprehensive range of glass products to protect and display your pictures in any environment. Colour reproduction, durability and anti-reflective properties are just some of the different qualities in the various types of glass available. Protecting your picture from external factors such as ultraviolet rays is another important consideration. Find out more.
Composition
Standard glass is completely smooth and fire-polished. In the manufacturing process, molten glass flows continuously from one side onto a bed of molten tin. Edges are polished and rounded to ensure safety. The glass is delivered in clean condition.
Note
Due to its low level of UV protection, standard glass is not suitable for conservational framing..
Cleaning
Standard glass is robust and easy to clean using water or common glass cleaners.
Choosing the right type of glass will depend on your individual requirements and wishes. Consider factors such as reflection reduction, contour definition, UV protection and strength. The video draws particular attention to the reflective properties of different types of glass. Matt glass reflects far less than brilliant standard glass. Anti-reflective glass for museum eliminates reflectivity almost completely. Compare all types of glass in the table.
Brilliant glass
Brilliant glass offers fine contour definition and contrast. Reproduction is brilliant – but reflections may be apparent. The quality of colour reproduction depends on the type of glass. Use the table to make a detailed comparison of glass types.
Matt / anti-reflective glass
The front side of this glass is matt, thus reducing reflectivity. It is recommended for picture frames which stand opposite windows or in direct light. The matt side of the pane, meanwhile, presents less sharp contours and a lower degree of contrast. The other side of the glass can also be used as the front side. In this case, its properties resemble those of brilliant glass.
Non-reflecting glass
Non-reflecting glass is not matt but has a special gloss on the smooth surface of the pane to avoid irritating reflections. It thus loses none of its contour sharpness in comparison to matt glass. Positioned correctly, one does not notice the glass at all – with reflections under 1%, it is as if the glass were not even there.
Colour reproduction
If faithful colour reproduction is particularly important to you, we can offer various options. Standard glass and single pane safety glass have a green tint which does not guarantee ideal colour reproduction. White glass, PLEXIGLAS® and glass for museum provide extremely faithful colour reproduction as they are not tinted.
Contour sharpness
All brilliant and non-reflecting glass types offer perfect contour sharpness for your picture. As matt glass has a slightly rough surface, contour sharpness and contrast are less well defined.
UV protection
If you want to protect your picture from the damaging effects of UV rays, it makes sense to choose a type of glass with a high level of UV protection. Ideal choices would be PLEXIGLAS® Gallery UV 100 or, for high-end projects, the corresponding glass for museum options from Groglass and Tru Vue.
Single pane safety glass.
HALBE single pane safety glass is splinter-proof and therefore the best possible insurance against injury. It is a popular choice for schools, kindergartens and other public spaces.
Differences between types of glass. From standard to premium glass.
Benefits
PLEXIGLAS® is especially light, sturdy and can protect sensitive exhibits from over 99% of ultraviolet rays.
Appearance
PLEXIGLAS® is completely clear and is therefore extremely faithful in terms of colour reproduction. Artworks can realise their full visual potential. Due to possible electrostatic charges, it is unsuitable for works with powdered pigments – for example paste chalk, charcoal, red chalk or pencil. Traces might be seen on the pane as impurities.
Types
PLEXIGLAS® Gallery UV 100 is available in three types with different properties. There is brilliant glass and glass which is matted on one side. There is also scratchproof brilliant glass with a treated surface on one side. This offers greater protection against scratches, abrasions and chemicals.
Composition
PLEXIGLAS® is a 3 millimetre thick acrylic glass. It weighs less than mineral glass and is softer, hence more susceptible to scratches. Its edges are blunt even if unpolished and therefore present no risk of injury.
Note
Before use, remove the protective film from both sides. If you choose brilliant scratchproof PLEXIGLAS®, the scratchproof surface is clearly marked on delivery.
Cleaning
It is advisable to use an antistatic cleaning agent for plastics and a soft cleaning cloth. You can also clean the sensitive PLEXIGLAS® surfaces with water.
PLEXIGLAS® = reg. trademark of Röhm GmbH, Darmstadt.
Benefits
White glass has extremely good display qualities and image brilliance. Thanks to its versatility, this glass is a highly recommended all-rounder – if UV protection or conservation are not the primary requirements.
Appearance
White glass offers great colour reproduction. Its incomparable transparency – no colour distortion – really brings out the best in works of art.
Types
White glass is available in brilliant (glass 5) or matt/brilliant (glass 6) versions. Anti-reflective glass has a fine matt finish and has far better contour sharpness and contrast than other matt glass types.
Composition
3 millimetre thick white glass is crafted from chemically treated silica sand. Extracting the iron oxide prevents the glass displaying a green tint.
Note
White glass is not suitable for conservational framing due to a low level of protection against UV rays.
Cleaning
White glass is robust and can be cleaned easily with water or common glass cleaning agent.
Benefits
Single pane safety glass protects pictures from damage through knocks or any other type of impact thanks to its particularly robust nature. It is also designed to minimise risk if the glass should break through excessive force. The pane will then disintegrate into tiny pieces without any sharp edges, thereby avoiding injury and damage.
Appearance
As with standard glass, iron oxide gives single pane safety glass a faint green tint. Completely faithful colour reproduction will not be attained in paper works.
Types
Safety glass is also available in two versions – brilliant or with one side matt/one side brilliant.
Composition
Single pane safety glass is 4 millimetres thick and thermally toughened. Its weight is between common glass types and double pane safety glass. The safety markings are stamped on the glass edge along the side and not visible from the front.
Note
Single pane safety glass has a relatively low level of protection against UV rays, so it is not suitable for conservationist framings.
Cleaning
Single pane safety glass is relatively robust and can be cleaned easily with water or common glass cleaning fluid.
Benefits
Artglass is a premium white glass which ensures authentic presentation of works of art. Thanks to its anti-reflective properties it is virtually invisible when the light source is indirect. The AR 92 and AR 99 Protect versions are both suitable for conservational framing due to their UV protection. The numbers 92 and 99 stand for the UV protection in percent.
Appearance
Artglass offers excellent colour reproduction, contour sharpness and contrast, reducing reflections to below 1%.
Composition
The reflection-reduced surface is applied with a sputter coating system. The glass remains smooth - in contrast to glass that has been frosted by roughening.
Note
For the optimal display, the picture frame should not hang opposite a window or be directly illuminated. This is because greenish (AR 70 and AR 99 Protect) or bluish (AR 92) residual reflections are then visible despite the strong anti-reflection coating
Types
Artglass AR 70
The 3-millimeter-thick museum glass offers excellent anti-reflective properties, undistorted color reproduction, very good contour sharpness and contrast, as well as 70% UV protection. The color of the residual reflection corresponds to that of Mirogard.
Artglass AR 92 with UV protection
With a thickness of only 3 millimeters, this museum glass combines excellent anti-reflective properties, undistorted color reproduction, and UV protection of 92 percent. It is ideal for conservational framing. The color of the residual reflection corresponds to that of Mirogard plus.
Artglass AR 99 Protect with UV protection
This shatterproof and only 4.4 millimeter thick laminated safety glass consists of two panes with an internal elastic and tear-resistant film. This prevents the glass from shattering into small pieces in the event of breakage. This is because large fragments adhere almost flat to it and thus remain in the frame. Thus, the protection of the work can be guaranteed. Long-lasting color fidelity of works of art is ensured by the high UV protection of approx. 99 percent. The color of the residual reflection corresponds to that of AR 70 and Mirogard Protect
Cleaning
Artglass should be carefully cleaned with water or Cif Professional glass cleaner. Because cleaning residues are more visible than with other glasses.
Benefits
Optium Museum Acrylic® is an acrylic glass, unifying many positive characteristics. It is anti-reflective, antistatic, shatterproof, scratchproof and protects against UV rays. It is therefore the ideal solution for aesthetically valuable artworks that need to be well conserved.
Appearance
For brilliant visual results, choose the patented Optium™ technology by Tru Vue. Colours are represented authentically. Optium Museum Acrylic® has excellent contour sharpness and contrast. Reflections are reduced to less than 1 per cent.
Antistatic
Thanks to its antistatic properties, this glass is well suited to works with delicate surfaces, light grammage, textiles or powdered pigments – for example pastel chalk, charcoal, red chalk or pencil.
UV protection
As with PLEXIGLAS®, ultraviolet rays are reduced by over 99 per cent. Exhibits retain their luminosity and freshness far longer than with regular glass.
Composition
Optium Museum Acrylic® is 3 millimetres thick and weighs far less than glass. Acrylic substrate is especially sturdy and breakproof. Its double-sided surface finish protects it from scratches, wear and tear or chemicals. This glass is also more durable when framing, reframing, during cleaning or transportation to other exhibitions. The glass is also available on request in 4.5 and 6 mm thickness for "XL" applications.
Hanging
For best results, avoid hanging opposite windows or in direct light. In spite of strong anti-reflective properties, some reflections may still be visible.
Note
Before use, remove the film from both sides.
Cleaning
Optium Acrylic is easy to clean with a dry microfibre cloth. If using water or common glass cleaner take extra care – these are more liable to leave traces in comparison to other types of glass. Mix one measure of spirit to ten parts water in order to remove any streaks.
Order glass samples in the shop
The HALBE standard glass
The inexpensive standard.
For all framings without special requirements.
Advantages:
- 3 mm thickness
- Inexpensive
- Versatile use
Fields of application
- Often used by private users
- For low requirements
- Without direct light irradiation
The
PLEXIGLAS®
Light and effective UV protection.
Protects sensitive exhibits from over 99% UV rays.
Advantages:
- High UV protection
- Shatterproof
- Very light
Areas of application
- In public areas
- Where protection is paramount
- In direct sunlight
The HALBE white glass
For a neutral view without colour distortion.
All-round glass with very good representation and picture brilliance.
Advantages:
- Good colour rendition
- Value for money
- All-round glass
Fields of application
- Often used by private users
- UV protection not relevant
- No direct light source
Single pane safety glass
Shock-resistant and safe.
Stays safe, no risk of injury in the unlikely event that it should break.
Advantages:
- Shock-resistant
- Breakproof
- Splinter-proof
Areas of application
- Public spaces
- When safety is an issue
- Other
Artglass museum glass
Anti-reflective high quality clear glass.
For faithful representation of artworks.
Advantages:
- Anti-reflective glass
- High colour reproduction
- UV protection
Fields of application
- High quality art
- Conservational requirements
- For indirect lighting
Optium Museum Acrylic
Excellent for exhibitions.
The perfect solution for superior works of art.
Advantages:
- Anti-reflective glass
- Breakproof
- Antistatic
Fields of application
- Ideal for exhibitions
- Conservational requirements
- High UV protection & colour reproduction
Benefits
HALBE standard glass is great value for money and is sturdier on account of its 3 millimetre thickness. Normally, panes are only 2.0 millimetres thick. Our standard glass is ideal for framings where UV rays, heightened safety concerns or exceptional picture quality are not the key issues.
Appearance
Standard glass has a slight green tint due to its iron oxide content. Colour reproduction is therefore not completely faithful.
Types
Two types of standard glass are available: brilliant (glass 1) and standard glass matt/brilliant (glass 2). They have different levels of contour sharpness and anti-reflectiveness.Compare these types of glass.