Re: acrylic/glass prices (also affordable frames/mats)
2002-04-16 by Doug I.
I would add to Paul's list americanframe.com. Over many years of use I've found them to be consistently affordable, professional and reliable. And the website's walkthrough for assembling a frame, mat & plexi package with the proper measurements is about as simple as I've seen. Excellent catalog too with illustrations of everything. They sell what they refer to as "UV Plexi-glass" which they claim "filters 98% of harmful UV rays" in 32x40" full sheets for $36.00 each (requires purchase of total of 20 full sheets of plexi, mat board or mounting board in any combo). IMO the more practical deal is a custom-cut 22x28" for $21.00 for UV, $10.50 for regular (min. order 5 without a frame order). A 16x20" runs $14.00 for UV, $7.00 for regular. The normal sheets I usually order are labeled Cyro Acrylite FF, but not sure on the UV. Doug
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> > In researching the information I've found that standard glass absorbs a > little less than 50% of the UV. Acrylic absorbs more than 60%. The UV > absorbing glass and acrylic absorb 97%. However, since I already have UV > absorbing glass in my home, and I use incandescent spots for most picture > lighting, I don't think UV is a major issue for me. Visible light, > especially blue light, causes damage also. So, even UV glass or acrylic > will not protect against strong sunlight. > > The main disadvantage to acrylic is the scratching. There is now a > scratch-resistant silicone coating that some acrylic has. > > In standard form the acrylic is slightly more expensive than glass, but in > UV form the glass is apparently much more expensive. I didn't find any > readily available source of UV glass that was appropriate. > > Here are the prices for 22x28 inch acrylic that I use for my framed 16x20 > prints. > > Light Impressions: $39 for Acrylite OP-3 UV acrylic; $50 for the scratch > resistant "AR OP-3." > > My Los Angeles supplier (Solter on Pico in West L.A.): $9.36 for standard > acrylic; $23.44 for Acrylite OP-3 UV acrylic. > > Standard acrylic from other sources can be over $20 for a 22x28 piece -- so, > shop around. The best internet prices I found were at > www.pictureframe-usa.com. However, my L.A. supplier is cheaper. > > So, for my uses, the $9 standard acrylic for a 22x28 will do just fine. But > if someone wants to pay big bucks for the ultimate protection, the Light > Impressions $50 AR OP-3 is the ticket. > > Paul > http://www.PaulRoark.com >