There’s no doubt, allowing light to flood into our homes is uplifting. With more and more contemporary domestic properties being designed to bring the outside in, it’s clear it positively impacts our lives. But with every silver lining there is a cloud and ultraviolet (UV) is that cloud. It’s the most damaging element of light for our health, our art, furnishings, curtains, furniture, books, and documents. You name it, if left unprotected UV will irreversibly damage it.

Sometimes I actually thank goodness for technology especially when it improves and enhances our lives.

In a previous blog “Which glazing is right for your artwork?” I looked at technical advances in picture framing glass and acrylics, to better protect your artwork from UV damage. Whilst we can’t stop damage caused by ultraviolet light, we picture framers can slow it down. If you’re a belts and braces person like me, you will take advantage of all opportunities to preserve the condition of your artwork for as long as possible.

There is now the opportunity to enhance this protection and at the same time protect other elements of your home. A simple retro installation to your windows of a film containing UV absorbers blocks a large percentage of damaging light rays. 

I discovered this when setting up my picture framing studio. It’s south facing and has a roof light, so I was conscious of the discomfort of working in the summer heat and I wanted to ensure the safety of my client’s artwork. I was introduced to Ultrastop a subsidiary of Next Doors Ltd, it was a revelation. When the installation was complete you would never know there was anything attached to the glass and it’s scratch resistant.

UV blocking film being applied to a window.

The Ultrastop team uses three core products by Opalux®, clear UV film, reflective window film and opaque privacy film. Much of their work is in high-value domestic properties, museums and galleries.

Opalux® is a UK premier brand of architectural window film, their product range and experience caters for every conceivable application:

• Heat & glare control
• Energy control
• Privacy & light management
• Safety & Security
• UV Control, Dermatology & Anti-Fade
• Window Tints
• Anti-Graffiti Window Film
• Patterned Films
• Window Graphics
• Digitally Printed Films for Windows & Walls
• Exterior-Grade Window Films

The damage to expensive artwork and furnishings can never be reversed, but these items can be significantly and simply protected.

“Opalux® specialist UV control film is designed for museum conservation and retail use to protect exhibits, displays and furnishings from UV radiation which is one of the main causes of premature fading in these environments”.

 This film exceeds the standard museum test for low UV transmission and colour distortion and passes the requirements of leading conservation experts who have researched ultra-violet filters. It’s also beneficial for people with a UV sensitive skin conditions.

 FEATURES

• Excellent rejection of harmful UV rays.
• Quick, retro-fit installation.
• Scratch-resistant.

 BENEFITS

• Reduced fading of interior furnishings.
• Can be used where costly and disruptive large-scale replacement of existing glazing is not a viable option.
• Suitable for most non-abrasive window-cleaning methods”.

So there you have it, what could be simpler? You don’t have to compromise your lifestyle as long as you take the right steps to protect anything valuable to you. For more technical information visit Opalux® and to book a visit, contact the guys at Ultrastop, don’t forget to tell them Edge Bespoke Picture Framing sent you.

Please note none of the products discussed will stop UV damage. The more protection provided, the more the effect of light will be reduced.

and why do harlequins often look so whimsical and sad? This poor little chap sure had reason to be.

He’s an original design for a stained glass window from the 1960s and I was asked to reframe him.

He arrived squashed in the original frame, much too small for his scale. The minute moulding was too small having no strength to adequately accommodate the weight of the painting, backing and glass. The corners were dangerously loose, at risk of falling apart. The design was directly in contact with the glass and there was no protective undermount. When I opened up the frame the result of his “mistreatment” was clear to see. He had suffered. Let’s look at what happened.

ACTIVATED ACIDS

If you look closely you will see a shadow of the harlequin on the left hand board (the original backing board). This has been caused by light penetrating the paper around the image activating acids in the backing board. The image has acted as a stencil, so the board is darker where there is no image, the darker areas and outlining of the design has blocked the light.

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ACID DAMAGE

As a consequence, activated acids have started to attack the artwork, the reverse of which is shown on the right. The stained area surrounding a white negative image is evidence of this. The paper is being weakened and the artwork is being damaged. Simply using a quality undermount would have protected the work from acids which have now leached into it.

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REFRAMED

Although there is nothing to compare it’s highly likely the colours of this piece of work have faded significantly, so we can only imagine what might have been. Working with what is left, I mounted using museum quality board in a soft “aged” colour. A conservation quality undermount protects the work from the backing board and will slow down any further acidic deterioration. Acids already present could possibly be flushed out by a professional paper conservator, but my client didn’t want to go that far.
Conservation Clear glass gives our little harlequin the best possible protection against the effects of UV light and is held above the image by the mount. Constant changes in humidity and temperature speeds up the process of deterioration, to protect against this the package is sealed ensuring a stable environment within the frame.

As this is the original design for a stained glass window a simple flat, matt black cushion moulding emulates the lead work.

Our little harlequin is now happy and safe in his new suit.

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If reading this blog has raised other questions for you or you’ve noticed something you would like explained, call Bev on 01303 268618 or 07833 350815.