Hanging your Frames Safely
Hanging things incorrectly can be the death of any frame. From drops to strain on the frame itself, ensuring it is on the wall safely and securely will help guarantee longevity.
Make sure your hanging kit is attached correctly. Make sure the d-rings are facing inwards towards each other if using string, and facing up towards the top of the frame if hanging straight onto the hooks. If the pressure pulls in any direction other than towards the curve of the ring, it can wrench it out of the frame over time. Be sure that the d-rings are also properly screwed in, i.e. do not spin around when twisted.
Make sure your d-rings are secure! If you unscrew the d-rings whenever you fit a new print in the frame, after a while you may want to pilot fresh holes to ensure there is enough for the screw to grip onto. If it starts feeling a bit wobbly, definitely do this. Make sure the new holes are at least 10mm away from the existing ones to ensure the wood doesn’t split.
Do not let the weight hang from the top edge of the frame. Do not hang larger frames (A2 with Mat or bigger) by the top edge of the frame. Doing so may cause the top panel to warp or flex and will damage the frame, often beyond repair. The weight of the glass will pull it away from the top and may even cause the corners to pop under the pressure. Be especially wearing when carrying frames too - always carry them by holding the sides, never the top piece.
Be very wary of adhesive hooks. They are a great solution if you live somewhere where you can’t nail hooks into the wall, but we have seen some tragedies over the years from when they have failed. There are many different things that can cause issues:
Sudden temperature changes may cause the adhesive to become brittle over time.
Because of the above point, concrete and cinderblock walls are terrible for adhesive hooks. They change temperature quickly and things often fail within 24 hours.
Poorly primed walls are also a big factor. We have had customers who had the hook peel of the wall with a big patch of paint attached. The hook worked really well, the wall was just painted without a huge amount of care.
But also, read all the instructions and make sure you install them properly.
If using adhesive hooks, be very wary for the first few days. Place a blanket on the floor under the frame for the first 24 hours after installation to ensure that if they do fall, there is something to catch them. If they are going to fail, it’s likely going to happen in the first 24 hours or so.
Keep your hanging kit fresh! You can easily replace the framers cord on the back if it starts looking a bit tired. Just head to you local framer, or the hardware store in a pinch (the framers stuff will be better quality) and replace it. Ask for a piece that is 20cm longer than the longest edge of your frame, that way you can easily hang it up landscape or portrait!
NEVER use kitchen string if you need to replace the framers cord we provide you. It wears down in the centre quickly and will end up with a sudden crash to the floor. We have seen many casualties over the years as a result of kitchen string.