Most of us do not think about the architectural aspects of the materials we use to frame memories. If you have rambunctious children in your home, if you get annoyed by the weight of the frame and find it crashing to the floor, it may be time to consider your framing options. I have been interested in the usefulness of clear acrylic frames recently, and the modern design is revolutionizing the trends of photograph display. Clear acrylic frames are nothing like the glass frame your grandma used to display family portraits. These modern marvels are durable, and their design is practical. So, is it worth your time to consider acrylic frames? Instead of using complex terms, let me take you through the benefits in layman terms.

Honesty is the best policy. If you have got little ones and animals, sticking a big glass frame on a wall is just asking for trouble. You are right that glass breaks. You are also right that glass can hurt those little ones. Glass breaks into sharp pieces that can cut, hurt, and ruin a great memory. Acrylic is completely different. Acrylic is shatterproof. If a clear acrylic frame falls off a shelf, it does not explode into glass shards. A clear acrylic frame will just simply have a little scuff. Families have enough to worry about. Schools, daycare centers, and busy restaurants have enough to worry about. Heavy use places like those need frames that can take a little bump and not become a danger. Glass is twenty times less impact resistant than acrylic. That is a huge difference. You can hang a big piece of art without worrying that someone will knock it over. For anyone who has ever spent time cleaning up glass after a broken picture frame, you know exactly why this matters. Not just the durability, but the peace of mind.
Several people understand that some high end products come with high end prices. In this case, with acrylic, you are sure you are not sacrificing quality. Optically pure acrylic has nearly perfect transmission. This material has no tint. What you are left with is a frame that improves the quality of the photo. The photo is displayed true to its colors. There is no color distortion. This is especially important for high resolution prints. It is important for high quality art. The frame should not be seen. The display should be the art. Acrylic guarantees that people will look at the photo, not the frame. It is transparent to the point that a barrier is forgotten. In galleries, this is especially important. Unlike traditional art displays, this preservation of the frame is especially useful in how people perceive the art.
More people need to acknowledge the dangers posed by the sun. Sunlight is strong enough to wash out a photo. A beautiful photo hung on a wall may look perfect now, but after a few months of morning sun, the faded colors will look wan and lifeless. Regular picture frame glass does nothing to prevent that. Many clear acrylic frames do have a built in UV filter to prevent fading. Many of the better options of acrylic on the market can filter about ninety nine percent of UV light. This adds a lot of value to your framed posters that are signed or photos from your wedding. You want a memory to be accessible for many years, and not to only last a few years. It is the same as putting sunscreen on your paper. It considers the effect the sun is going to have on the vivid colors and the yellowing and brittling of the paper. It is a small protection, but that means a lot for your grandchildren.
Framed pictures are always nice to look at, but the frames themselves can be really annoying to deal with. Even worse are mirrors as they are both large and heavy. Trying to balance these and hammering a nail becomes a really stressful experience. Walls can get damaged and these items can fall. Thankfully, there are frames made with a lightweight material. Unlike glass, acrylic is very lightweight. For example, a large two foot wide frame will be much lighter with acrylic. Unlike most heavy frames which require heavy duty hardware to hang them, acrylic frames can be hung with normal nails or command strips. Shipping is also cheaper with acrylic frames since they weigh less and are not as likely to break in transit. This lightweight design is also ideal when moving houses. Rearranging a living room can be really annoying with heavy frames, but acrylic frames require almost no effort.
Let me get the downside out of the way. Acrylic will scratch, whereas glass will not. However, cleaning the scratches will make the surface look brand new, and cleaning acrylic is straightforward. Most importantly, do not use glass cleaner. Because of acrylic's chemical sensitivity, glass cleaner will cause discolorations. The best cleaning method is a microfiber cloth, warm water, and dish soap. With this method, the frame's messes and defects can be corrected without further damaging the acrylic. Another method is dusting. Dry dusting can let debris act as an abrasive. A quick weekly dusting will keep the frame shiny. Acrylic is not as tough as glass, but the weight and durability is worth the conditional care.
Choosing clear acrylic frames is an option for those who prioritize safety, style, or both. Acrylic adds a level of protection from breaking and fading for your images. It also makes hanging large art pieces much easier. Whether it is for a nursery, a gallery wall, or just to keep your family photos safe, acrylic is a great option. It is modern, practical, and looks great. What are you waiting for?
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