10 Rules for Hanging Pictures
Lots of people have different ways that they choose to hang wood picture frames and you’ll get a wide range of suggestions and tips everywhere. Absolutely nothing is set in stone, but here are 10 rules for hanging wood picture frames.
1. Use candle wax on threads to act as a general lubricant and also to stop the screw from breaking when you screw it into the frame.
2. Hang frames using D-rings or screw eyes that are positioned one-fourth of the way down from the top of the frame on both sides. Be sure you drill small pilot holes first in order to avoid the potential of the frame splitting, and avoid drilling the pilot holes too close to the edges. Also, if the frame incorporates a sloped or uneven molding, be sure to position the pilot holes within the deepest part of the wood.
3. Be sure whichever hanging method you opt to use, it is strong enough to manage the weight of the frame being hung. You’ll aid yourself if you know about how much your frame weighs, since most of the time picture hanging fittings, fixtures, and nails have specific weight ratings.
4. To ensure the safety of your artwork – so that it doesn’t fall from the wall to its demise – don’t use regular garden twine or cotton thread since they can break easily; only use picture cord or picture wire. Some people also choose to use chain, but it’s not nearly as common.
5. If you choose to use cord rather than wire, tie the cord by using a reef knot so that the knot is self tightening. You’ll thread the cord through each ring, then you will make use of the reef knot to secure it. Tying a reef knot is easy – right over left and under, then left over right and under.
6. If you want to use picture wire, the simplest way is always to double loop it within the screw eye or D ring, then you’ll wrap it around itself near the center of the frame in order to secure it.
7. You can buy X hooks that come with matching nails; they are the best to use in softer walls. But if your walls are hard, a better selection for you is going to be larger X hooks that are coupled with wall anchors.
8. It’s a good idea to hold your picture by its cord once it is installed on the picture frame to test and be sure it is strong enough. Make sure you are holding the cord about six inches above the floor – you wouldn’t want the wire or cord to fail, leaving your treasured ornate picture frames free-falling towards the floor!
9. Make sure you position your artwork at eye level, as this is considered the most pleasant place for it to be viewed.
10. To keep the picture away from the wall, use two slices of cork or another soft material on the two bottom corners of the picture frame.
