Sometimes one can find that special frame that is very old but the glass is broken. It is so pretty and so unique it seems impossible to pass up. It can be used without the glass easily but to really protect your photos you need a glass covering or at least plastic covering.

One can easily cut some plastic that is sold as sheets to cover information or for writing on. Which I have done myself especially if I was shipping a package.

It you have minimal skill, training and equipment you can cut/break glass to fit in square or rectangular frames but keep in mind you may end up going through glass and risking personal injury while doing this especially if untrained and unskilled or inexperienced.

The easiest thing to do with that irresistable old frame that you have to have for your great grandparents old photos is to take the frames down to a glass cutting place that does household glass, mirrors etc. and they can cut your glass to fit the frame for a very reasonable price. Often it is inexpensive because they may be using scrap glass left over from a much larger job but if it is a thicker piece of glass needed or desired, specialty glass or a larger piece the cost may increase significantly.

I was taught this by a woman who once owned a framing shop and still had the equipment. She took me with some inexpensive but old pretty oval frames to a glass cutting place and had them cut ovals. She said I can cut squares and rectangles but ovals are another thing. These may not be really expensive frames but they are old and very attractive. They are perfect for my mothers old photos that she gave me of our relatives from long ago.  When she finished the framing they were absolutely beautiful and the new glass did not take away from the old frames and photos.