Glazings
Glass is a the most traditional glazing material; it is scratch resistant with 45% UV protection, available in sizes up to 48” x 72”.
Museum glass has 99% UV protection and the most minimal light reflection. Perfect for displays in museum or gallery exhibition spaces, it is scratch resistant and abrasion free.
Plexiglas is flat, smooth, shatterproof and archival. It is offered in 4 glazing types: clear, UV (OP-3), non-glare and AR Optium plexi, in sizes up to 72” x 120”.
Mirogard is a completely transparent glass with anti reflective coating on both sides. Color neutral and reflection free with a slight green tint with 48% UV protection.
While sharing the same traits as Mirogard, Mirogard Plus has increased UV protection at 84%, with a slight blue tint.
Luxar is a premium quality double-paned glass coated on both sides, which reduces glare and reflection up to 1%.
Mouldings
The face of the moulding is its front and establishes its width. Mouldings usually have face dimensions between half and three inches.
The lip of the moulding is the space between the face of the moulding and the front plane of the glazing.
The rabbet width provides a surface to hold the glazing.
The rabbet’s depth separates the glazing and the artwork. Rabbet widths vary from three quarter to three inches. It is the depth which accommodates the window mat or the spacer.
The back of the moulding is its face width minus the rabbet width.
The moulding’s height or outside is its overall thickness.
A shadowbox consists of a mounted print, a square molding and a spacer, which separates the print from the chosen glazing. It is a direct and simple look used for traditional framing.
A step is an option on some moulding shapes. This design element adds flair and distinction to the presentation and may step up or down.
A bevel-shaped moulding tapers away from the surface plane of the frame. Its appeal lies in the way it makes the image surface appear to float on the wall and the way it takes away the boxy appearance of the frame.
Another option for framing is the floating frame. It consists of a face and back mounted print. It is centered and attached within a frame, away from the sides of the mouldings and the back of the frame to give the appearance that the print is floating within a frame.
In addition to the floating frame, an internal floating frame is a back mounted print that is centered and attached within a frame, away from the sides of the mouldings, with a chosen type of glazing. This also gives the appearance that the print is floating within a frame, but under glazing.
Laumont is a full service framing studio for all of your framing needs. We specialize in making custom frames for your unique project, from circular to oversized frames and more. Any combination of mounting and framing techniques can be explored to suit your needs. Please contact us to discuss any of these options for your next museum or gallery exhibition.
Matting
Our mats are cut from 100% cotton, acid free, archival museum board, offered in 4ply or 8ply thicknesses. Mats are custom made to fit each artwork and can be made either as a book mat or a floating mat. A book mat is a traditional mat where the image is dry mounted, or fastened by hinges or corners, to the board which is hinged to a window in from of the image. A floating mat has no from window, the print is attached only to the backing. A spacer in the frame holds the work away from the glazing. To retain the natural quality of the edges of fine rag papers, we recommend using a floating mat. This allows the uncut edges of the paper to float while only adhering the center of the back of the image the the backing board.
Bracing
Available in wood, Sintra or Dibond, the cleat lies flush against the wall. Two pieces are cut to “lock” into one another, one on the wall while the other lies 1/4” or 1/8” away from wall. Gives the appearance of the piece floating off the wall. Holds sizes up to 40” x 50”.
Hanging works by wire is recommended for smaller sized framed prints. It consists of two small rings attached to either side of the back of the frame, then interwoven with strong, reinforced wire from either side. The frame is then hung by the wire from a nail placed in the wall. Lies flush against the wall.
D-rings are D-shaped rings that are placed on either side of the back of the frame. Two nails are placed equidistant in the wall and the framed work is hung with the D-rings placed onto the two nails. The piece lies about 1/8” away from the wall. This is recommended for smaller sized framed works.