It's a shame when a beautiful work of art has a poor frame. Combined properly and hung in the right place, picture and frame can be breathtaking, and a well-chosen frame lifts the whole room. A badly chosen one distracts from the artwork and can look out of place.
The decor of your room matters, but don't forget that the frame's first job is to enhance the picture. It's an easy mistake to match the frame to the room at the picture's expense. Believe us, it's a bad idea.
So what goes into constructing a picture frame? These points will help you make an informed choice.
Picture mounting
A mount is the material placed around a picture inside the frame, usually paper-based and available in any colour. It does three things:
- It separates the picture from the frame and the glazing. That protects the picture, stops the frame rubbing against it, and guards against condensation and dust.
- It sets the picture off visually.
- It makes the finished piece larger, so the artwork has more impact in the room.
There are several ways of mounting, and each gives a different level of protection.
- Wet and dry mounting stop the surface of the image cockling or bubbling, and are commonly used for photographs and posters. Both are irreversible. Avoid them for valuable pieces, because they can significantly lower the price if you ever sell.
- Museum mounting, or hinging, gives the highest protection. The art is attached to the board with Japanese paper hinges and hangs freely, so it can expand and contract as the humidity changes. The board is lignin-free cotton fibre with a non-acid surface, which makes it ideal for preserving valuable work.
Picture details
Well-planned window openings, fabric mats or fillets can enhance a piece and give it a different character. Work out what suits your picture, because details like these make it stand out to everyone who sees it in your home.
Choosing the frame
A frame that complements the picture protects it, improves its presentation and gives it a finished look. Frames come in many styles, and you also have a choice of glazes, stains and finishes.
Glazing
Glazing is the glass or acrylic that covers and protects the front of the artwork. The choice is wide:
- regular clear glass
- non-glare glass (acid etched)
- conservation glass (filters UV light)
- anti-reflective glass (chemically coated)
- acrylic, which can also be UV-filtering and non-glare.
Acrylic weighs less and is generally considered safer. Clean it with a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth. Glass can't be ordered online for courier delivery, because of the risk of breakage.
Ordering online
Ordering picture frames and mounts on our website is easy, and always cheaper than visiting a local picture framer. This video shows how it works.
Any good framers will show you a range of solutions and advise on what suits the work and where it will hang. You can reach us on 01234 856 501 or at sales@EasyFrame.co.uk, and we'll always chat even if you don't want to buy.