Picture Frame Hardware - What You Need for Your Frame

When you buy a frame make sure you have everything you need to hang or stand your picture frame.

Ready-made frames come with backing and an easel, everything you need to display your picture on a table top or dresser either horizontally or vertically. If you have a frame that doesn’t have am easel back stand, you can always buy a stand-alone easel, which comes in metal or wood and in either table top stands or floor stands. Table top easels are more common in homes, while easel floor stands are generally used by professional photographers for photo displays.

If you want to hang a frame on the wall, check the back of the frame to make sure it is made for wall hanging. Some frames are only meant for table display. Next, check the frame for included hardware. Frames that include hanging hardware could have either a frame ring or triangular loop built into the frame.

Wall frames often don’t come with hardware so always find out if it's included before you buy your frame. You can either install them yourself or have your quality frame retailer install them for a small fee.

If you want to do it yourself, sawtooth hangers are easy to install and require two small picture frame nails. Be sure to only use the small picture frame nails that come with the hanger otherwise your picture frame may be damaged. Saw tooth hangers are designed specifically for the size of your picture frame. For example, with 8x10 picture frames you would want to use either a medium or large sized sawtooth hanger depending upon its weight.

Another do-it-yourself frame hanging method is the eye hook with a wire strung between hooks. Eye hooks require a little more work because there are two eye hooks (round hooks) that need to be screwed into the frame and then the wire is strung.

Remember to always check the back of your picture frame so you know how it is meant to be displayed. Buying your frame from a quality frame retailer will ensure you have all the framing hardware you need.