Learn the Basics About Picture Frame Hardware and How to Install It
If you’ve ever tried to install your own picture frame hardware, then you know it can be challenging. Fortunately, most quality hanging picture frames come with frame hardware already installed, but if you happen to buy a frame without hanging hardware this article will walk you through what you need to do.
The most important step when installing picture frame hardware is to make sure you choose the right type and size of hardware for your frame. The two common types of picture frame hardware are saw tooth hangers and eye hooks. Although these two types of hangers do the same thing, each has a slightly different best use.
Saw Tooth Hangers
Saw tooth hangers are best used for picture frames smaller than 11×14. Saw tooth hangers are installed on the center of your frame back and get their name from their jagged, saw blade look. 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 estimate the center of the frame, use a tape measure for accuracy. Place a dot at the center point of the frame and center the saw tooth hanger over the dot. To make sure the hanger is even with the line of the frame, you may want to use a level. Once the hanger is level and centered, hammer in the two small nails on each side of the saw tooth hanger and you’re done.
Eye Hooks
Eyes hooks are screwed into the wood molding of the frame. They work especially well for heavy or large picture frames. Eye hook hangers take a little more effort to install than saw tooth hangers but after you’ve done it once it will be easy the next time.
Eye hooks are installed on the side of the frame about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. Using a tape measure, measure the back of the frame from the top of the frame to where you want to install the first eye hook. Mark on the back of the frame where the screw will 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. Thread one end of the wire through an eye hook until you have a short length of wire to wrap several times around the long piece of wire. Then take the other end of the wire and thread it through the eye hook. Before you secure the wire, hold on to the unsecured piece of wire and with your other hand form a triangular shape where the nail would sit. Allowing for this triangular shape, wrap the short end of the wire several times around the wire, securing 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. Select a spot on the wall where you want to hang it and get someone to hold up your picture and see if you like it placed there. 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. For arranging on the floor, use string to represent the area on your wall 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 in most homes is 16 inches between studs. 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 and wall anchor are tightly in place so the frame won’t fall off and get damaged.
It may take a little extra effort to install your picture frame hardware but once it’s beautifully hanging on the wall, you’ll be thrilled with the result and glad you took the time to do it.
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