Conservation-grade anti-reflective glass
Artglass AR 99 Water White — Anti-Reflective Conservation Glass
The clearest museum-grade glass on the market.
- Premium low-iron (water white) substrate — no colour cast
- 99% UV protection, certified to EN 410 — conservation grade
- Reflection under 1%, light transmission ~98%
- Protective masking film for scratch-free handling
Made to order at the Groglass factory in Riga — typically 1–2 weeks. Also available cut to size in Latvia and the Baltics.
- Thickness
- 2 mm
- Reflection
- ≤ 1%
- Transmission
- ~98%
- UV protection
- 99%
When an artwork cannot be replaced, its glazing must do two jobs at once: disappear from view and stop the light damage that accumulates every single day. Artglass AR 99 Water White does both — it combines the ultimate transparency of low-iron “water white” glass with a 99% UV block, making it the clearest museum-grade glass available on the market.
The anti-reflective coating on both sides brings reflection below 1%, while the reduced-iron substrate eliminates the green and brown undertones typical of conventional UV-blocking glass. Whites stay white, colours stay true — which is why conservators and framers choose it for original artworks, watercolours, textiles and irreplaceable memorabilia.
A recyclable masking film on the UV-coated side protects the coating from scratches during cutting and framing, identifies the side that must face the artwork, and peels off just before the frame is closed.
Technical data
Specifications
| Substrate | Low-iron glass (water white) |
|---|---|
| Light reflection | ≤ 1% |
| Light transmission | ~98% |
| UV protection | 99% (EN 410) |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Maximum sheet size | 1219 × 1727 mm (48″ × 68″) |
| Residual reflection colour | Neutral green |
| Shatter resistance | No |
| Standards | ISO 1096-2 Class A · ISO 18916 · ISO 18902 |
Applications
Best for
- Original artworks and limited editions
- Watercolours, works on paper and fading mediums
- Textiles and organic materials
- Museum and gallery framing
- Memorabilia with high sentimental value
In the workshop
Cutting & handling
- The UV-coated side is covered with a protective film — leave it on for as long as possible and remove it just before closing the frame.
- To cut: score the masking film first, flip the sheet, then score and break the glass side along the same line.
- Always frame with the UV-coated (film) side facing the artwork.
- Dissipate static with an anti-static brush or cloth after removing the film.
Complete illustrated guidelines, including cleaning and storage, are on the downloads page. Clean with ammonia-free glass cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth.
Compare
Against the rest of the range
| Property | AR 99 Water White | Lifetime Acrylic | AR 70 | AR 92 | AR 99 Protect | UV 99 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Low iron | Hard-coated acrylic | Low iron | Low iron | Laminated low iron | Float glass |
| UV protection | 99% | ~99% | > 70% | ~92% | Up to 100% | 99% |
| Light reflection | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1.1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1.2% | ≤ 1% | ~8% |
| Light transmission | ~98% | ~98% | ~98% | ~98% | ~97.5% | ~89% |
| Thickness | 2 mm | 3 / 4.5 / 6 mm | 2 / 3 mm | 2 / 3 mm | 4.4 / 6.4 mm | 2 mm |
| Shatter resistance | — | ✓ Yes | — | — | ✓ Yes | — |
| Anti-static | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Cutting | One side (score the non-film side) | Either side | Either side | Either side | Both sides | One side (score the non-coated side) |
| Reflection colour | Neutral green | Neutral green | Neutral green | Neutral blue | Neutral green | None |
| Max sheet size | 1219 × 1727 mm | 1970 × 2580 mm | 2250 × 3302 mm | 2250 × 3302 mm | 2250 × 3210 mm | 2250 × 3302 mm |
| Popular sizes | 1000 × 1600 / 1200 × 1600 mm | 11 standard sizes, 405 × 510 up to 1970 × 2580 mm | 1000 × 1600 / 1200 × 1600 / 1219 × 2050 mm | 1000 × 1600 / 1200 × 1600 / 1219 × 2050 mm | 2250 × 3210 / 1605 × 2250 mm | 1000 × 1600 / 1200 × 1600 / 1219 × 2050 mm |
Optical values per EN 410 (2 mm glass). Standard cut sizes and non-standard dimensions available — ask us for details.
Questions
About AR 99 Water White
What does “water white” mean?
Water white refers to low-iron glass. Ordinary float glass contains iron that gives it a faint green tint; low-iron glass removes it, so whites and light colours show without any colour cast. Combined with the anti-reflective coating, the glass becomes virtually invisible.
Which side should face the artwork?
The UV-coated side, which is covered by the protective masking film. Keep the film on during cutting and handling, and always frame with that side facing the artwork so the UV coating is protected inside the frame.
Can I cut Artglass AR 99 Water White myself?
Yes. Cut the masking film first with a carbide or plastic-suitable blade, flip the sheet, score the glass side along the same line, and break. Full illustrated guidelines are available on our downloads page.
Is the UV protection certified?
Yes. The 99% conservation-grade UV block is certified by the National Physical Laboratory in the UK according to EN 410, and the product complies with ISO 18902 and passes the ISO 18916 Photographic Activity Test.
Alternatives
You may also consider
Lifetime Acrylic
Museum-grade acrylic that stays crystal clear
- UV
- ~99%
- Reflection
- ≤ 1.1%
- Thickness
- 3 / 4.5 / 6 mm
AR 99 Protect
Invisible, laminated protection for the irreplaceable
- UV
- Up to 100%
- Reflection
- ≤ 1%
- Thickness
- 4.4 / 6.4 mm
AR 92
Near-invisible glass with elevated UV protection
- UV
- ~92%
- Reflection
- ≤ 1.2%
- Thickness
- 2 / 3 mm
Get pricing for AR 99 Water White
Build a structured quote request — sheet sizes, box quantities, cut-to-size pieces — and we respond with pricing and availability within one business day.