Picture glass - what should I choose?
Float glass, anti-reflection glass and plexiglass – what is the actual difference? And what different characteristics do the different types of glass have? Let's find out!
The glass in picture frames has several practical purposes. Firstly, the glass holds the picture in place in the picture frame, as well as keeping it smoothed out and looking good. The glass also protects the picture from being affected by, for example, damp, dirt, and clumsy handling. Some frame glass can even offer protection against UV light, which otherwise might make the image fade over time.
Different types of frame glass
Float glass – good light properties and 40-45% UV protection
Float glass is a picture frame glass with somewhat better light properties and a more even surface than ordinary glass. Float glass takes its name from its production process, where the molten glass floats on a bed of melted tin, leading to the glass getting its beautiful, flat surface. Our float glass also has a UV protection of 40-45%.
Plexiglas – lightweight and unbreakable
Plexiglass is produced from acrylic plastic. The benefits of plexiglass include that it is more durable than real glass, and it also weighs less. It can, therefore, be a suitable choice in the children's room, or other rooms where you want to have durable materials. Plexiglass can also be a good alternative for picture frames for larger pictures, when reducing the weight as much as possible is desired.
Anti-reflection glass – reduces reflections and protects against UV light
Anti-reflection glass is a picture frame glass that has been treated to reduce reflections from, for example, lamps or daylight. This ensures that the image doesn't disappear behind reflections. Instead, it is clear and visible, almost as if there was no glass at all. Anti-reflection glass also often has a UV protection of as much as 70%.
Anti-reflection glass costs a little more than other types of glass, but it is a very popular alternative. If you don't want to splash out on anti-reflection glass for all your images, we recommend that you prioritise the pictures that hang in places where reflections are most likely to occur. Alternatively, this kind of glass can also be good for your favourite pictures that you are keen on protecting, or images that you always want to be seen clearly.
Picture comparison – ordinary glass vs. anti-reflection glass
To the left, you can see a picture frame with ordinary glass, and to the right, you can see a picture frame with anti-reflection glass. The different is much more striking in reality, but even in these photos you can see that the image is much clearer in the picture frame with the anti-reflection glass on the right, despite the light-filled environment.
Broad and flexible range
We have a broad and flexible range of picture frames with all of these different kinds of glass. You can choose different kinds of glass with many of our picture frame collections – see our whole range here!