Hanging and Aftercare

Hanging advice is difficult to put into words as so much of it is visual and there’s a lot of technical information about different fixings etc. I plan to make a short video to give a better visual guide to hanging.

 

For now, a few tips: 

 

Firstly, there’s no rule to the height of hanging - we always say eye height is the right height. Think about how you want to view the work, as well as where it aesthetically fits in a space. For example, public institutions often hang quite low for accessibility. The rule of thirds is always a good way if you’re struggling to find balance. Try cutting out a piece of card the size of your frames you can blue tac to the wall to get an idea of placing. This is a good option if you have a set of frames to hang. Consider elements like light switches and door frames that might unbalance a wall, and placement of furniture that may influence alignment. 

 

Also consider environmental factors when placing a framed piece. Is it a busy hallway where it could be knocked? Direct sunlight can cause fading, above a radiator will warp a frame, kitchens and bathrooms may be pone to condensation or exterior walls can be damp. All of these are factors to consider when hanging a frame. 

 

Most work is strung and I always recommend using two fixing points rather than one central one, about a quarter way in from the side of the picture. This will hold the frame closer to the wall, spread the weight of the frame and keep it steady. One central fixing will always leave the frame vulnerable to getting knocked and ending up crooked. 

 

Picture hooks are a great standard but always consider the type of wall you are hanging on. This is where it gets technical as there a lot of specific fixings for different wall types, for example you can get specialty rawl plugs for plaster board with a hollow void. It's also always worth checking for electrical cables and pipes before hammering or drilling. 

​

Larger heavier frames get complicated too as we have a selection of fixings to take weight, such as picture straps, security plates or split battens. We can advise on this as part of the framing process and again your wall type is an important factor for securely attaching the frame. Do contact us if you have any questions about hanging your artwork.

All our frames are supplied with corner bumpers to protect the wall and to allow additional air flow behind the picture.

​

 

After Care 

Frames will need a clean and a dust from time to time, we always recommend a micro fibre cloth and minimal chemical spray, if you have opted for art glass or acrylic these will need more care as can be damaged using an abrasive cloth or cleaning products, artglass frames come with a sticker and cleaning advice, and you can also get specialist acrylic glass polish, again do get in touch if you need more advice.

 

It’s a good idea to take your frames off the wall from time to time to dust the back and make sure there’s no damp or spiders making a home. 

Be careful cleaning the frame itself, most finishes are fairly robust but some are more delicate than others and can be damaged with surface finishes rubbing off if abrasive cloths or cleaning products are used.

 

If you have any damage or scratches do get in touch, you’d be surprised what we can sometimes easily repair or touch up, for example we have a specialist polish that is great for getting scratches out of acrylic glass and wooden frames can be filled, sanded and re-stained, painted or waxed and made as good as new.