Before you invest in a pair of eyeglasses, make sure you know about what you’re getting. Eyeglass frames come in a variety of styles, shapes, and materials with each one having its pros and cons. If you’re susceptible to allergenic materials, spend a lot of time by the ocean, or are a sports enthusiast, selecting the right eyeglass frame is imperative to ensure that your eyeglasses adhere to your lifestyle.
Metal
Metal frames are popular for their durability and sleek look. Many frames are classified as metal, and the material has several subcategories. These subcategories are defined by different kinds of metals which serve different purposes to the wearer. Also, some of these metals maybe combined with each other to save costs, increase durability, or other benefits.
Flexon is one of the most popular types of metal frames because of its durability. This material is a titanium-based metal alloy that is extremely flexible for a metal. Its flexibility allows it to return to its original shape after being bent in different directions. This makes Flexon frames very popular for those who occasionally fall asleep with their glasses on, or have a habit of bending their glasses. Flexon is also resistant to corrosion, and is hypoallergenic for those who have occasional allergic reactions to certain materials. Flexon is also known by different names such as memory metal, smart metal, and smart alloy. Stainless steel is also a popular lens material because of durability and corrosion resistance. Just like stainless steel kitchenware, stainless steel frames are easy to keep clean and are hypoallergenic when not combined with nickel. Stainless steel also comes in different finishes, like brushed, satin, and mirror, so the wearer can have different styles to choose from.
Titanium is a super-light, durable and strong metal for eyeglass frames. It’s corrosive resistant, and has several uses in different industries. Titanium comes in different colors, and is expensive compared to other frame materials. To combat the costs, some frame designers use titanium alloys, or titanium combined with other metals. These metals include copper and nickel, which alter the aspects of titanium in different ways.
Aluminum is one of the least expensive and most abundant metal materials available. It’s easily moldable and very stylish, which make it a valued frame material for fashion designers. The problem with using it as frame material is that it is very weak, so it must be combined with other materials to become stronger and more flexible.
Beryllium is a lightweight and stiff metal that can be blended into different colors for stylish sunglass frames. It is also resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, and it is non-magnetic. Its non-corrosive properties make it ideal for people who live around salt water or have a skin acidity type that is very high. It is also less expensive than titanium, making it a wise alternative to those on a budget.
Monel frames are also widely available and one of the most popular frame styles out there. Monel is malleable, but it is known to cause adverse skin reactions to some wearers. Monel alloys can help prevent the skin reactions.
Plastic
Though plastic frames are not as durable and tend to break easier than metal frames, they are still highly desired for their fashionable look. Plastic frames come in every color and are extremely lightweight. It’s also easier to mold plastic into modern styles like wraparounds, which makes them popular for modern designers.
Blended Nylon frames are one of the strongest types of plastic frames, and therefore are preferred for sports and performance. They are lightweight, durable and comfortable to wear.
Cellulose Acetate is a type of plastic frame that is highly popular because it is very lightweight and has significant design features, like the laminated, layered colors look. It is also called zyl or zylonite.
Cellulose Acetate Propionate is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and has more of an opaqueness quality than other plastics.
