is basic framing glass okay for most stuff?

[mrFinpgh]

I have about 10 pieces of art to frame for various family members.  I've made a lot of frames in the past and normally have ordered from Frame Destination to get backer and glass. 

However, I'm going to be cutting mats for all of these, and the size of the glass is going to get into oversized shipping territory, so I'm looking into sourcing the glass locally.  In theory, my mat cutter lets me use a glass cutting attachment (assuming I can't find my glass cutting tool).

Talking with the glass shop I've used in the past for mirrors, they have 1/8" framing glass but it is not the ultra low iron stuff.  So it will have a little bit of a green tint, I guess.

Anyone here have any perspective on whether this would be an issue or if using basic framing glass would be detrimental?  None of this would fall into the category of fine or precious art - mostly prints and posters.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Our UK equivalent is 3mm - I’ve used piles of this material over the years for exactly the purpose you describe. There is a tiny tint - but it’s virtually imperceptible, even on a poster having lots of white background. So get your glass supplier to cut it to size for you and go pick it up. The only tip I’d add is to get your supplier to grind or polish the boundary to take off the razor-sharp nature of a freshly-cut edge. Your fingers and blood supply will thank you for it.

Edited to add = it breaks if you drop it.

 

[Packard]

NOTE: This post grew in length.  In a nutshell, if you carefully inspect window glass for any imperfections and clean it thoroughly, there will be no difference between the two grades of glass.  I now return you to my regularly scheduled post:

In the USA, picture frame glass differs from window glass in a few ways that mostly benefit professional framers.  I will list a few of the differences.

Through stricter quality inspections, there are no included air bubbles in the glass.  I always assumed the few pieces with air bubbles are relegated to window production.

The picture framing glass is pre-washed and paper interleaved, but should always be cleaned again prior to installing.

Window glass is not pre washed and they use a form of granulated wax instead of paper interleaving.

All of which make picture frame glass more expensive and more efficient to use.

In all other ways the glass is identical.

Note: There are versions of picture frame glass that are coated to reduce reflections or to filter UV light. There is also a lightly texture glass that reduces reflections, but also makes the image less sharp and the colors less saturated. I always avoided that type of glass.

Note: When I had my framing shop I always cleaned both sides of the glass with a good window cleaner and the repeated the process using distilled water.  There is no immediate advantage, but 6 months later any remaining soap film may get cloudy.  That won’t happen if you add the distilled water step.

Addendum:  I am out of the framing business for almost 30 years.  There may be some intervening changes I am not aware of.  I don’t think that is likely, but I felt it necessary to add this note.