UV-Protective Glazing
UV-protective glazing is glass or acrylic with a coating that blocks ultraviolet light, slowing the fading of inks and pigments over time.
Ultraviolet light is the primary cause of fade in printed and painted artwork. Even in rooms without direct sunlight, ambient UV slowly shifts colors — reds fade first, then yellows, then cyans and magentas. UV-protective glazing blocks 70–99% of UV depending on the grade.
The two main materials are UV-filtering glass (denser, slightly greenish tint at thick profiles) and UV-filtering acrylic (lighter, shatter-resistant, modestly more expensive). For pieces larger than 24x36 we default to acrylic on safety grounds.
Anti-glare coatings can be combined with UV protection (often called "museum glass" or "museum acrylic") — these premium products dramatically reduce reflections while also blocking UV, making the artwork easier to view and longer-lasting. They add 2–4× the cost of standard glass, and we recommend them for any piece you care about long-term.
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