My picture is hardly visible since the glass reflects everything. Is there a non-glare glass I can put into the frame that will solve my problem?
There are two types of glass available to fight glare. The traditional type of "non-glare" glass has an etched surface that scatters the light that reflects back from the surface of the glass, and softens the glare. The newer type of "anti-reflective" glass has a special coating that improves light transmission to reduce glare without the distortion that can result from an etched glass. We recommend the latter because of its superior clarity. I encourage you to visit one of our stores to see a sample of this product. It will amaze you!

How do I frame my item so that it will not deteriorate over time?
There are a number of basic characteristics of preservation framing that will help to maintain the condition of your item. The glazing (glass or acrylic) should be UV-protective to help prevent damage to your item from ultraviolet light. The glass should be spaced away from the surface of the art, which is usually accomplished through the use of matting. The matting and backing materials should be preservation-grade, acid- and lignin-free, and the artwork should be mounted in a reversible manner to the backing. Fortunately, UV-protective glazing and preservation-grade materials are the standard at Mitre & Bevel, so selecting the proper equipment to preserve your item is not difficult, or an added expense. Beyond these basic guidelines, when you bring your piece in to one of our store locations to have it framed, the design specialist can discuss with you the particular approach that will best fit the needs of your item.

How do I clean museum glass?
Museum Glass does not require a special cleaner, although an ammonia-free cleaner is recommended for all framing glass. Since Museum Glass is so clear, however, fingerprints that would not be noticeable on normal glass are sometimes visible on Museum Glass, and many glass cleaners will just smear the skin oils from a fingerprint across the surface instead of removing them. In most cases, alcohol can be used to remove these fingerprints. A final tip about glass cleaning: Always spray the glass cleaner on your cleaning cloth, NOT the glass. When cleaner is sprayed directly on the glass, it tends to run down the surface and seep under the lip of the frame at the bottom, which can cause the cleaner to soak into the mats, backing, and artwork and cause damage. You can help prevent this damage by spraying the cleaner on the cloth, instead.

I have heard that you should never put glass over paintings on canvas, but I see it done this way in museums. What's the truth?
It used to be believed that glass was unnecessary (or even detrimental to the artwork because it didn't allow the artwork to "breathe"), and the function of glazing was handled anyway through the use of varnish. Nowadays, the myth about paintings needing to respire is starting to fade, and framers are realizing that the use of glazing provides protection from dust, insects, physical contact, and even ultraviolet light (with UV glazing). For this reason, many museums now glaze their paintings, although most museums use UV acrylic (or even the newer anti-reflective acrylic) instead of glass, since acrylic poses less risk of damage to the artwork should the glass shatter. In any case, IF a painting is glazed, then it is imperative that a spacing mechanism is used to prevent direct contact of the artwork and the glass or acrylic. Often, the choice over glazing a painting comes down to finding a balance between aesthetics and preservation. While there are legitimate preservation benefits to glazing an oil painting, many people prefer the traditional look of an unglazed painting. It really depends on how much importance you give to the unglazed look, versus the protection afforded by glass or acrylic.

What is the best way to hang pictures on a wall without leaving holes, or at least very little damage?
Picture hangers that use multiple, smaller nails rather than a single large nail or wall anchors generally leave less damage and are easier to fill and touch up later. There are some adhesive hangers available that can work for very small and lightweight items and there are also gallery-style hanging systems that use wall-mounted tracks and cables, which only mount at the very top of the wall. Another option for display is to rest your item on a floor easel instead of hanging it on the wall. Mitre & Bevel offers professional art installation and would be happy to handle any of your more complex installation needs.

How do I find a mirror to fit a specific space on my wall?
Ordering a custom mirror to fit a specific area of a wall can be a challenge, because you need to find a mirror that is sized correctly to create the right outside dimension after it is framed, which varies depending on the width of the moulding used. Mitre & Bevel can order mirrors in custom sizes, and can easily calculate the correct dimension based on your framing. We are also experienced in preparing and mounting double mirrors in bathrooms, providing the correct hardware and installation to allow faucets to appear to mount directly onto the glass. Just visit either of our store locations, and a design specialist can show you some options.
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