You've probably heard the old term "you get what you pay for" and have had to make a decision to compromise on price when purchasing something for your home.  As a consumer, we have to make those decisions daily.  When you have something framed, the materials that are used play a critical role in the beauty and longevity of the piece.  In framing, there are components that are for looks and there are components that are for looks and function.  Mats, Glass, and assembly materials are critical to protecting your art.

Many years ago Grizzly Creek Framing made a company decision that ultimately protects our customers and their art!  That decision was to only use and offer materials that would conserve, protect, and enhance the beauty of all framing orders.  When we frame art, we stand behind it because we use products that withstand the test of time......and do so with very little "extra" cost to our customers. 

Conservation vs. Non-Conservation - this is where you truly have to have some understanding as a consumer or you'll be paying good money for something that will either look great over the long haul or begin to deteriorate within months of purchase.  REMEMBER....the costs are not very different, but the performance is!

Mats - the buzzword in mats is "acid-free".  This term is what many framers use in order to make you think that you are getting a product that will protect your art and is a step above....this is WRONG!  A mat is made of layers of paper and those layers are glued together to obtain the thickness necessary to create a semi-ridgid board.  The glue or binder is what seperates conservation mats from non-conservation paper mats. REMEMBER...all paper is acid free when it is fresh, but the binder changes the performance. Cheap paper mats look good for a little while but soon start to change color and leach the glue or binder.  You can see it if you look at framed art.  The white beveled edge of the mat will turn brown and look old.  Newspaper is "acid-free" when it is new, but soon turns brown and this is caused by the binder.  Lignan is the binder of choice in cheap paper matboard and this wood pulp by-product is what turns white to brown.  So....when you are shopping for framing....look at the matboard sample and make sure it says "Acid and Lignan Free"!  Ask the framer....if they can't tell you, then think twice about leaving your art in their hands.  Acid and Lignan Free matboard only costs pennies more than cheap matboard....so make the move to the good stuff!

Glass - is often referred to as glazing.  Glass is probably the most critical component of most framing projects.  Like mats, there is Conservation Glass and Non-Conservation Glass.  Conservation glass offers significant protection against ultra-violet light (UV), and the build up of heat inside the frame.  Conservation glass is made with protective layers of film that is applied to the art side of the glass.  You can't see it, but it does an incredible job of protecting your art.  It diffuses UV rays and subsequently lowers the temperature inside.  Even the light from table lamps, and diffused room sunlight can fade and damage art.  Non-conservation glass is slightly less expensive, but offers only 20-30% natural UV protection.  Conservation glass offers 98-99% UV protection.  If you are framing a 16x20 piece of art, the difference in cost between conservation glass and non-conservation glass is about $2.00!
Acrylic - is another type of glazing that is used in framing.  This product has natural UV characteristics built into it (60-70%) and can also be purchased with 99% UV protection.  Acrylic is amazing material and is used extensively in earthquake prone California.  We use it on large pieces of art because it is significantly lighter, safer (won't shatter), and survives shipping nicely.  Unlike plexiglass (from building supply companies), framing grade arylics look like glass and offer incredible protection.