Hints & Tips

* If you are hanging your own pictures with wall fixings, it is generally advisable to use two hooks (even more on large or heavy frames) Two hooks will help to keep the frame hanging straight and in the event of one of the hooks failing, hopefully the second hook will prevent the frame crashing to the floor and the broken glass damaging the artwork.

* You can buy self adhesive felt bumper pads at hardware stores that you can fix to the bottom lower edge at the back of the frame. They will help to keep the picture hanging straight, particularly on a partition wall or a wall subject to vibration and will increase the air movement behind the frame to prevent damp. They will also reduce damage to your wall decoration.

* Regularly inspect your framing for any signs of deterioration, ie, is the artwork showing any signs of 'foxing' (brown spots/staining) usually due to acid in the paper or board; signs of insect invasion; cigarette smoke damage; fading due to sunlight etc. It is better to correct these matters before they adversely and irretrievably affect the artwork.

* Display all artwork out of direct sunlight. There is UV protection glass available but even this does not stop all the damaging UV rays. It is far better to adopt the rule of avoiding all direct sunlight, once your artwork has faded it cannot be repaired.

* Don’t throw away a picture you really like because it doesn’t match your decor, sometimes a new mountboard and a new frame can make all the difference.