Free standing Showcases: This Is probably the most common type of display case found in museums and art galleries due to its versatility. Like the case with a glass top, these cases are freestanding and can have glass on all faces or have solid sides and backs. But this case type has in integral light box that is separated from the display chamber by a lighting soffit level. The soffit can be made of glass, steel or aluminum, depending on the lighting type chosen. The light chamber at the top must have ventilation that allow any heat gain to dissipate away from the case and its objects. The light chamber should also have d separate access from the display chamber. This means that maintenance staff can fix any problems with lighting without having access to valuable objects in the display chamber, thus keeping the objects safe from theft or damage. Lighting in this type of display case can be from d variety of choices including fiber optics LED, fluorescent, or low-voltage lighting. The diffuser material should be chosen to complement the lighting type, for example, fluorescent lighting or low-voltage lighting would most likely require a glass diffuser level, whereas fiber optic or LED lighting can be fitted through d steel or aluminum diffuser. The choice of using either glass all around or having d solid back will impact the type of shelving that may be utilized inside the display chamber. Solid-back cases provide options for cantilevered Shelves or a hanging rod shelving, whereas glass-all-round cases are generally restricted to a hanging rod type shelving arrangement. In addition to shelves, plinths of varying sizes that, it on the base of the case can be used to display objects. Access methods for a freestanding case with an integral light box will normally be via a hinged door (with fully concealed hinges) or a pull and slide door configuration where the door pulls out toward the operator and then slides aside in either direction. Glass types for upright, freestanding cases should generally be laminated with a minimum thickness of 10.8 mm depending upon the desired height of the case. As the height of the case increases, the thickness of the glass should also be increased in order to maintain the structural integrity of the display case. The most common thickness used in this type of display case is 11.5 mm (.5 inch) laminated glass.