Good craftsmanship isn’t cheap, nor should it be. We’ve got to be mindful of things like overhead too when we’re debating the costs of these services. Here’s what I don’t like about stock frames: they dictate the dimensions of the image and are harder to integrate into existing displays. I want to start making my own frames for pictures when things slow down a bit, but in the meanwhile I will pay the professionals.
I too have some art from one of our local creative minds. I once asked him how he would display the prints I was purchasing.. He actually recommended frameless displays. I don’t think he saw frames as a part of his work at all. I guess it depends on the intention of the artist. Most of the pieces I like to see framed are pictures I have taken, but one of my favorites exists as a border-less canvas on a hidden frame.
It's not like an oil paint on canvas that no one ever touches is in any dire danger. So no, we don't really do anything to protect it. I suppose a big earthquake might smash stuff up but at that point the art would be the least of our concern. We have a big geometric cut glass piece that is embedded on a piece of half inch lumber. If it ever crashes down I hope no one is standing under it, I worry about the floor. It's super heavy and mounted into the wall studs. I love it enough that I was willing to deal with it's weight. I don't think it's practically protectable but it might be in less peril than that which is under it. There is a small painting on a wood substrate that has some kind if shiny shellac over it. Your question makes me wonder if it should be framed because I could see it getting chipped if it fell but I think a frame might detract from the piece, I'm pretty sure the artist intended it to be displayed without a frame.