Posts tagged: wall picture frames

2 Simple Steps to Help You Install Frame Hardware on Your Photo Frame

authoradmin | December 1, 2009

Installing wall frame hardware may be considered a simple thing to do but there is a little more to it than meets the eye.. If you use the wrong type of wall frame hardware or don’t know where to put it, installing picture frame hardware can be a little tricky. So, here are a couple of tips for installing picture frame hardware on your wall frame.

Step #1: Use the Right Type of Picture Frame Hardware

Many quality ready made picture frames already have picture frame hardware installed if they’re designed for hanging on the wall. However, if your frame doesn’t have hardware then you’re going to have to do it yourself or pay a frame retailer to do it for you. If you want to install the hardware yourself, there are two main kinds of hanging hardware you can use: saw tooth hangers and eye hooks (both of which can be found at your local hardware store).

If your wall picture frame is smaller than 11×14, you should use a saw-tooth hanger as these are easier to install. Saw tooth hangers come in a couple of different sizes. If your wall frame is smaller than 8×10, use a small or medium-sized saw-tooth hanger. If your frame size is between an 8×10 and 11×14, it’s best to use a large saw tooth hanger to properly support the frame.  If you have a heavy or large picture frame, it is recommended you use two eye hooks as they can hold more weight and accommodate larger size picture frames. Eye hooks take a little more effort to install than saw tooth hangers, but the added support is needed for heavy, large frames.

Step #2: Determine How You Want to Hang Your Frame

Your first step is to determine the direction you want your wall frame to hang. Once that is determined, you can begin installing the proper picture frame hardware.

Saw-tooth hangers need to be attached centered and straight on the frame or your picture will not hang properly. To align correctly and find the center of the frame, measure the width of the frame and divide that measurement in two. This number will be the center of where the saw tooth hanger will be attached. A small level may help you get the hanger straight on the frame.

Eye hooks are installed by screwing them into the frame’s wood molding. This helps support the weight of the frame when hung on the wall. To determine where the eye hooks should go, you’ll need to measure to be sure they’re evenly positioned. Measure a third of the way down from the top of the frame and mark both the left and right hand sides. These marks will be where the eye hooks will go. Pre-drill holes once you are sure the marks are even. Once the eye hooks are screwed evenly into each side of the frame, string a wire through both of the eyes and secure. Make sure to leave some extra room in the wire so the frame will hang properly on the wall.

If you’re handy, you should be able to easily install the picture frame hardware all by yourself. If you are reluctant to tackle this job, ask your frame retailer to do it for you. Once you see how it is done, you will be more comfortable trying it yourself.

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The Basics About Installing Picture Frame Hardware

authoradmin | October 30, 2009

If you’ve ever tried to install your own picture frame hardware, then you know it can be challenging. Luckily, most quality wall picture frames come with frame hardware installed, but if you happen to get a frame without hanging hardware this article will explain want you need to do.

The very important first step to installing your picture frame hardware is to be sure you have selected the right type and size hardware for your frame. There are two types of picture frame hardware that are most commonly used – saw tooth hangers and eye hooks.

Saw Tooth Hanger Hardware
Saw tooth hangers are best used for picture frames smaller than 11×14. The name “saw tooth” is exactly how the hardware looks – a jagged, saw blade rectangular shaped hanger that is installed at the top center point of your frame. The saw tooth helps with the alignment to keep the picture frame even on the wall. Before you install the saw tooth hanger, always know which direction you plan to hang it so the hanger will be in the right place. If you can’t “eye” the center of the frame, use a tape measure. Place a dot at the center point of the frame and center the saw tooth hanger over the dot. If you want to be sure the hanger is even on the frame, it’s best to use a level. Once the saw tooth hanger is centered and level, hammer in the two nails on each side of the hanger securely and you’re ready to hang.

Eye Hook Hardware
Eyes hooks are screwed into the wood molding of the frame.  They work especially well for heavy or large picture frames. Eye hooks take a little more work to install than saw tooth hangers, but once you know how to install them, you will feel more confident in adding them yourself.

Eye hooks are placed on each side of the frame about one-third of the way down from the top of the picture frame. With a tape measure, measure the back of the frame between the top of the frame to where you want to install the first eye hook. Make a mark on the frame back where you want the eye hook screw to go. Then, use that same measurement for placement of the second eye hook. Accurately measuring for the screw placement will ensure that your picture frame hangs level.

Once screw placement has been determined, drill two very small holes to help with the installation of the screws. When the eye hooks are screwed into the frame, cut a length of wire that’s longer than the width of the frame so you can attach it to the eye hooks. Put one end of the wire through the eye hook until you have a piece of wire long enough to wrap several times around the long piece of the wire. Thread the other end of the wire through the other eye hook. Before securing the wire keep a hold of the unsecured piece of wire and hold the middle of the wire forming a triangular shape. While keeping the triangular shape in the wire to allow enough wire for hanging, wrap the short end of the wire around the long wire several times and secure it in place. The wire should be able to create a triangular shape that is snug and doesn’t extend beyond the back of the frame where it can be seen. Now you can cut off the excess wire and make sure that each end is wrapped securely.

Now you are ready to hang your wall frame. Pick the wall space where you want it to hang and have someone hold the picture so you can see if it looks good on the wall.  If you have multiple wall picture frames, it is a good idea to position them on the floor and determine how they should be displayed before you hammer nails in your wall. When arranging your frames on the floor, use a string to represent the wall area so you can determine the proper spacing of your picture frames.

Be sure when installing your wall picture frame that the nail goes into a wall stud. The spacing of wall studs is 16 inches in most homes. If you are unsure or can’t find a stud, you can use a “stud finder” available at any hardware store, or use wall anchors for added support in sheetrock. Hanging a frame on a cement, brick or concrete wall is different than on a sheetrock wall. For any type of cement, brick or concrete wall, pre-drill the holes with a mason bit and use screws with wall anchors. Be sure the screw is properly secured so the frame does not fall off the wall and get damaged.

It may take some extra effort to install your frame hardware and hang your picture, but once you see your picture frame displayed on the wall, you’ll be happy with the result and glad you took the extra time to do it.

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