Museum display of jade artifacts and sculptures in glass cases
Museum display featuring various jade artifacts and sculptures in glass cases with overhead lighting.
Exhibit showcasing traditional Native American beaded quiver with fringe in a glass display
Museum exhibit featuring traditional Asian scroll paintings on a wall.
Exhibit of traditional Japanese art with a large hanging scroll featuring a dynamic figure, displayed in a modern gallery with wooden flooring and spot lighting.
Colorful artwork featuring smiling flowers with cartoon-like expressions in various colors, including red, yellow, blue, pink, and green, framed in white.
Colorful flower artwork in protective acrylic frame
Museum hallway with display cases featuring Asian sculptures and artifacts.
Museum exhibit of traditional daggers displayed in glass cases along a wall, with descriptive labels beneath each case and a sculptural artifact in the background.
Display of intricately carved netsuke, Japanese miniature sculptures, on transparent shelves mounted on a wall.
Seven colorful framed illustrations of musicians and a rooster on bicycles, featuring banjos and fiddles, mounted on a white background.
Art Conservation Brochure

Wall Display Cases

Wall display cases (often called wall cases or wall-mounted vitrines) protect and present objects without taking up floor space. Architectural Plastics fabricates custom acrylic wall cases for museums, galleries, exhibit designers, luxury retail, and private collectors who need clean sightlines, tight tolerances, and durable, professional mounting.

Built to spec with options for locks, lighting, UV-filtering and low-reflection glazing, and clean mounting for high-traffic environments.

If you already have dimensions and a mounting location, we can build to your spec. If you’re early in the design phase, we can help you define case depth, access method, security level, and glazing options based on the object and the environment.

Built for Real-World Conservation and Display

Wall cases live in high-traffic areas. They get viewed up close, photographed, and scrutinized. We build with the goal of making the enclosure visually disappear while still performing as a protective barrier.

Common requirements we design around:

  • Clear viewing with minimal distortion and clean edges

  • Dust control and tight fit-up

  • Optional UV protection and low-reflection viewing surfaces

  • Access that doesn’t risk the object during servicing

  • Security hardware options for public-facing installations

  • Mounting solutions that are stable, repeatable, and service-friendly

Wall Case Styles and Access Options

Different objects and locations require different access. We build wall cases around how the case will be used, not just how it looks.

Typical configurations include:

  • Lift Off Vitrines - for simple servicing and clean lines

  • Hinged Door Wall Cases - when frequent access is required

  • Front and Side Access Designs - to match the display environment

  • Shadow Box Depth Options - for objects that need breathing room from the glazing

  • Multi-Bay, Modular Wall Case Systems - for collections and traveling exhibits

Materials and Glazing Options

Not all “clear” is equal. We select materials based on optical clarity, scratch behavior, edge finish, and the performance requirements of the display.

Common options include:

  • Museum-grade acrylic and premium glazing options when specified

  • Thickness selection based on span, size, and durability needs

  • Polished edges and detail finishing for close viewing

  • Seamed construction for large wall cases when single-sheet glazing isn’t feasible

If you have a conservation requirement or a glazing preference (UV filtering, low reflection, or maximum clarity), tell us up front and we’ll build the glazing package around it.

Mounting and Safety

A wall case is only as good as its mounting plan. We design with installation realities in mind so the case is stable, level, and serviceable.

We can build around:

  • Backing panels and mounting interfaces

  • French cleats and hidden mounting strategies

  • Pre-planned fastener locations for repeatable installs

  • Weight, load distribution, and wall conditions (drywall vs. blocking vs. masonry)

Lighting and Display Integration

Lighting can elevate a wall case or ruin it. We can accommodate lighting strategies that keep the object readable without hot spots or glare.

Common approaches include:

  • Concealed LED placement and clean wire management

  • Cable pass-throughs and access planning for servicing

  • Glare control through glazing choice and layout

  • Coordination with exhibit designers and electricians

FAQ

What’s the difference between a wall case and a shadow box?

A wall display case is typically designed as a true protective enclosure for objects, often with defined access, security, and mounting requirements. “Shadow box” language is common in framing. We can build either style, but our wall cases are usually specified for object protection and professional installation.

Can you make locking wall cases?

Yes. If security matters, tell us the environment (public gallery, retail floor, private residence) and we’ll recommend the right approach.

Do you build oversized wall cases?

Yes, including multi-panel and seamed constructions when single-sheet glazing isn’t feasible.

Can you match an existing case design?

Usually, yes. Send photos, dimensions, and any requirements around access, lighting, and glazing performance.

Do you ship wall cases?

Yes. We build for safe transport with packaging appropriate to the size, finish level, and destination.

Request a Quote

To quote a wall case quickly, send the overall dimensions, desired case depth, access style (lift-off or hinged), mounting conditions, and your installation city. Include reference photos of the object and wall location if available. Drawings are welcome, but a simple sketch is enough to start.

Ready to spec a wall case? Call or email us to start your next project:
Phone: 707-765-9898
Email: sales@archplastics.com