Picture Frame Hardware - How to Install Your Frame Hardware
Installing picture frame hardware can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why most quality hanging picture frames have frame hardware included. But if your frames didn’t include hardware and they’re meant to be hung on the wall, then here are some tips to help you install your own picture frame hardware.
The key first step before you install your picture frame hardware is to make sure that you select the right type and size of hardware. The two most common types of frame hardware are saw tooth hangers and eye hooks.
Saw Tooth Hangers
For picture frames smaller than 11 x 14, it’s best to go with a saw tooth hanger. This is a jagged, saw tooth shaped rectangular hanger that you install in the center point of your frame. Make sure you know which direction you want the picture to hang, and then position the hanger in the center, toward the top third portion of the frame. If you don’t know where the center of the frame is, use a tape measure and place a dot in the center point, then place the saw tooth hanger over it, keeping it as centered as possible. You may also want to use a level to ensure that the hanger is even with the line of the frame.
Eye Hooks
The other type of frame hardware is an eye hook. Eye hooks are screwed into the wood of the frame and are best for heavy or large picture frames. These take a little more time to install than a saw tooth hanger, but can be done with a little effort.
Each eye hook will go on the side of the frame about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. Make a mark on the back of the frame where the screw will go and then use a tape measure to measure the distance from the top of the frame to where you installed the eye hook. Then take this measurement and use to determine where the second screw will be placed on the opposite side of the frame. This way both screws will be the exact same distance from the top of the frame.
Once you have where your screws will be placed, pre-drill two very small holes to make it easier to install the screws. Once the screws are in place, take a string of wire and stretch it between the eye hooks. The wire should make a triangular shape and not exceed the top portion of the frame. If the wire can be seen from behind the frame, simply shorten it. To secure the wire, wrap the short end (the end that is placed through the ‘eye’) around the length that stretches to the other eye hook. Wrap it around several times and cut off any excess wire.
To hang a single wall frame, simply find the location where you want it and install your nail or screw into the wall to hang it. If there is anyone who can help you, they can help hold up your wall frame so you can make sure it looks good on the wall. However, if you’re laying out multiple wall frames, it’s a good idea to lay them out on the floor before you make any holes in the wall. For best results, use string to make sure that your layout on the floor accurately represents the wall space.
When installing your wall frame, make sure the nail goes into a wall stud and not merely sheetrock. In most homes, the spacing between studs is 16 inches. If you can’t find a stud, you can use a “stud finder” (found at any hardware store) or use wall anchors. If you’re hanging your frame on a cement, brick or concrete wall, always pre-dill the holes with a mason bit and use screws with wall anchors. This is super important because if your nail or screw isn’t properly secured, your picture frame may fall off the wall and get damaged.
Installing your frame hardware and hanging your picture frame does take a little work but once your picture frame hardware is on the wall you’ll be so glad you took the time to do it.
The key first step before you install your picture frame hardware is to make sure that you select the right type and size of hardware. The two most common types of frame hardware are saw tooth hangers and eye hooks.
Saw Tooth Hangers
For picture frames smaller than 11 x 14, it’s best to go with a saw tooth hanger. This is a jagged, saw tooth shaped rectangular hanger that you install in the center point of your frame. Make sure you know which direction you want the picture to hang, and then position the hanger in the center, toward the top third portion of the frame. If you don’t know where the center of the frame is, use a tape measure and place a dot in the center point, then place the saw tooth hanger over it, keeping it as centered as possible. You may also want to use a level to ensure that the hanger is even with the line of the frame.
Eye Hooks
The other type of frame hardware is an eye hook. Eye hooks are screwed into the wood of the frame and are best for heavy or large picture frames. These take a little more time to install than a saw tooth hanger, but can be done with a little effort.
Each eye hook will go on the side of the frame about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. Make a mark on the back of the frame where the screw will go and then use a tape measure to measure the distance from the top of the frame to where you installed the eye hook. Then take this measurement and use to determine where the second screw will be placed on the opposite side of the frame. This way both screws will be the exact same distance from the top of the frame.
Once you have where your screws will be placed, pre-drill two very small holes to make it easier to install the screws. Once the screws are in place, take a string of wire and stretch it between the eye hooks. The wire should make a triangular shape and not exceed the top portion of the frame. If the wire can be seen from behind the frame, simply shorten it. To secure the wire, wrap the short end (the end that is placed through the ‘eye’) around the length that stretches to the other eye hook. Wrap it around several times and cut off any excess wire.
To hang a single wall frame, simply find the location where you want it and install your nail or screw into the wall to hang it. If there is anyone who can help you, they can help hold up your wall frame so you can make sure it looks good on the wall. However, if you’re laying out multiple wall frames, it’s a good idea to lay them out on the floor before you make any holes in the wall. For best results, use string to make sure that your layout on the floor accurately represents the wall space.
When installing your wall frame, make sure the nail goes into a wall stud and not merely sheetrock. In most homes, the spacing between studs is 16 inches. If you can’t find a stud, you can use a “stud finder” (found at any hardware store) or use wall anchors. If you’re hanging your frame on a cement, brick or concrete wall, always pre-dill the holes with a mason bit and use screws with wall anchors. This is super important because if your nail or screw isn’t properly secured, your picture frame may fall off the wall and get damaged.
Installing your frame hardware and hanging your picture frame does take a little work but once your picture frame hardware is on the wall you’ll be so glad you took the time to do it.
