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Glass for Photography and Prints

Glass for Photography and Prints

The glass used in picture frames is called "SSB". That stands for "Single Strength B Grade". In fact, it is nothing more than window glass. The "B" is a rating of the number of defects per square foot. There is an "A" grade that is not used and seldom seen-the cost escalates so fast that it is not practical for pictures. Pieces of glass are called "lites".

You have a couple ways to get your glass.

First, just get it from Home Depot or some other glass store. Let them cut it to size for you. This can be more expensive but works well if you do not have too many pieces.

Second, buy it from a picture frame or glass wholesaler in your area. Look in the yellow pages at "Picture Frame Supplies-Wholesale" or something like that. It is the same glass as Home Depot but it is packaged differently. First, glass is usually packed in 50 foot boxes (thats square feet). Therefore, you get 23-16 x 20's to a box. 16 x 20's are 2.2 square feet-the width times the length in inches divided by 144 gives you square feet for the lite. 50 divided by 2.2 gives you 22.7 sheets rounded up to 23. For 8 x 10's, a 50 foot box would hold 89-90 pieces of glass.

The price should be lower at the distributor. There is one other advantage: the glass is usually cleaned and paper packed(a piece of paper is put between each lite for protection). They may, however, require you to have a business license, resale tax number or other such paperwork. Just call them and ask.

You could cut the glass yourself from larger pieces like 32 x 40. And, you can cut it by hand. I have always felt that it is not worth the risk unless you are used to handling glass and have a wall cutter.

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