Acrylic vs. Glass: The Best Frame Front for Busy Entryways
Will Acrylic Make Your Watercolor Print Look Cheap?
No, high-quality acrylic won't make your watercolor look cheap; in fact, because it lacks the muddy green iron tint found in standard glass, your colors will actually look brighter and truer. If you have a busy hallway where backpacks fly and elbows bump, acrylic is absolutely what we use to keep our own prints safe.
Why We Choose Acrylic for High-Traffic Walls
We once had a heavy glass frame slide off a nail in our old entryway—it sounded like a lightbulb exploding on hardwood, and we were finding tiny shards for months. Acrylic is virtually shatterproof, boasting 10 to 20 times the impact resistance of glass. It also weighs less than half as much, which means less stress on your drywall.
Because of this, companies like Framebridge use premium acrylic exclusively. In fact, for any frame larger than 16” x 20”, glass is rarely recommended because it simply gets too heavy and fragile.
When wiping down acrylic, never rub in circles—that just grinds dust particles into the surface. Wipe gently in one direction with a clean, damp microfiber cloth and a specialized plastic cleaner.
The Catch: Dust, Scratches, and Sunlight
Acrylic isn't completely perfect. It carries a static charge that attracts dust like a magnet, and it scratches much easier than glass, meaning standard household glass cleaners are a no-go. However, when it comes to sunlight, both materials offer premium UV protection. Choosing conservation-grade UV acrylic will block 98% to 99% of UV rays, keeping those delicate watercolor washes from fading over time.
