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How To Hang Picture Frames

By Autumn Lockwood

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 15Jun2011 Word count: 2808 Viewed: 332 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

There are many methods by which picture frames can be hung. There's also a multitude of aesthetic considerations when it comes to where and in what formation to hang them. Another consideration is lighting, if you're interested in showcasing a piece (or more) of artwork once they're on the wall. Here, the focus will be on the hardware for hanging your art.

Fixtures and Fittings

Most often, in order to successfully hang pictures on a wall you'll need to use a combination of hooks with wire or picture cord tied between them on the back of the wood picture frame. In addition, you'll need a hook on the wall to hang your artwork from that's secure and rated for the appropriate amount of weight.

For small to medium sized frames, you can use small screw eyes or screw rings (a screw eye with a ring attached to it). For medium to heavy large picture frames, D-rings should be used and screwed to the frame.

For really heavy pictures, glass plates can be used to hang them. Glass plates are screwed into the back of the frame and into the wall and they will show from the front of the frame.

Another important consideration that you must consider is what type of wall your picture will hang on - concrete, drywall, stucco, etc.

In most cases, an X hook or a double X hook matched to the weight of the picture frame to be hung should be sufficient. The nails that are supplied with X hooks are very strong and should penetrate most solid walls, but if you don't have a solid wall, you'll need to use a wall anchor. In this case, use a double X hook and screw through the heart-shaped hole in the center of the hook.

A picture rail is yet another option. You can get specially designed rail hooks to hang your artwork from a picture rail - this helps save your walls from receiving many holes. All you have to do is attach your cord, chain, or picture wire to the back of your picture frame.

Choosing Cord or Wire

In most cases, you'll need to use picture cord or picture wire to hang your frames. Both are very strong and one is not really better than the other. The main difference is that the wire, when attached to the back of the frame, is wrapped around itself to secure it whereas the cord must be tied with a knot - a reef knot to be more specific. So if you're not too good with knots, opt for using the picture wire. Chain is also an alternative to cord or wire, but not as commonly used.

How to Attach the Fittings

To start, you should measure from the top of the frame and make a pencil mark about one quarter of the way down on each side of the frame. Make a small pilot hole at both of these points, making sure they are not too close to the edge. If the wood of the picture frame is uneven or sloped, be sure to make the hole in the thickest part of the wood.

A great tip to help make the process easier is to place a little candle wax or soap onto the thread of the screw or screw eye, whichever one you've decided to use. Doing so will prevent the screw eyes/rings from weakening or even breaking by lubricating them; just rub the screw on a bar of soap or a candle and you're good to go. Screw your rings into place.

If using picture wire, cut a length of wire that's twice the distance between the rings/eyes. Loop the wire through the hangings with equal amounts of excess on each side, then double loop the wire through the picture hanging and wrap it around itself toward the middle of the frame. Don't make the wire too tight; you need a little bit of slack so there's not excess strain on the wire when it's hanging on the wall.

If you're using picture cord, cut a length of it about 8 inches longer than twice the distance between the two hangers. Thread the cord through each hanging and then tie a reef knot to secure the cord.

Now you know all the steps and tips for how to successfully hang your own picture frames.

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