Level 2 Conservation Framing
Protect Your Art, Photos and Memorabilia With Conservation Framing
Level 2conservation framing ensures that the artwork does not come into direct contact with glass and that only conservation-grade, acid-free materials are used throughout the frame. These materials help prevent fading, discolouration, and chemical damage, allowing your piece to remain stable and well-protected while still being beautifully presented. Every element of the framing is carefully considered, from mounts and backing boards to fixing methods that can be reversed if required.
Greenhill Galleries applies Level 2 standards as part of our normal framing practice rather than as an optional upgrade. This ensures your artwork, photos, and memorabilia are treated with the care and respect they deserve, providing peace of mind that they are preserved to recognised professional standards.
What is Level 2 'Conservation' Framing?
Level 2 framing, previously known as conservation framing, is designed to provide a high standard of long-term protection for artwork and objects while still presenting them attractively for display. This level of framing balances visual quality with preservation, ensuring that the framed piece can be enjoyed while being safeguarded against many of the risks that cause deterioration over time. In practice, Level 2 offers protection that is very close to that of Level 1 framing, and in some countries no formal distinction is made between the two standards.
By using conservation-grade materials and established professional techniques, Level 2 framing helps protect artwork from physical handling damage, environmental pollutants, and the harmful effects of acids found in many standard framing materials. Acid migration, airborne contaminants, and poor-quality backing or mounting methods are among the most common causes of long-term damage to framed items, and conservation framing is specifically intended to minimise these risks.
When correctly carried out and displayed in reasonably stable conditions, conservation framing is expected to remain effective for around 20 years. However, real-world environments are rarely ideal. Factors such as fluctuating temperature, humidity, light exposure, and placement near heat sources can all affect the longevity of a framed piece. For this reason, it is recommended that frames constructed to Level 2 standards are inspected by a professional framer approximately every five years to ensure that materials remain stable and that no unforeseen issues have developed.
For artworks and objects that are not newly created, the best practice is to assess their condition before framing. The Fine Art Trade Guild advises that a condition report is agreed upon before Level 2 conservation framing, allowing any existing damage or areas of concern to be recorded. Where deterioration is already present, appropriate conservation or stabilisation work should be considered before reframing.
Level 2 conservation framing is particularly suited to items intended to be preserved for future generations, including original artworks, collectable objects, and limited-edition prints of moderate to high value. A key principle of this framing standard is reversibility. All methods and materials used must allow the artwork to be returned to its original, pre-framing condition at any point in the future, assuming the piece itself is structurally stable. This ensures that framing does not permanently alter or compromise the artwork.
Where original frames or historic mounts exist, these should be retained whenever possible, as they can contribute significantly to an artwork’s character and value. In some cases, an original frame may be preserved separately while a replica is used for display. Similarly, original window mounts - including decorative or gilded examples - may be retained, provided appropriate measures are taken to prevent them from causing damage. An experienced and qualified framer will understand how to balance preservation with presentation in these situations, ensuring the artwork remains protected without unnecessary alteration.
