How to Easily Install the 2 Types of Picture Frame Hardware
If you’ve ever had trouble installing your own picture frame hardware, then you know it can be tricky. 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 Hanger Hardware
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 be sure you know which direction the picture will hang so it is centered on the right part of the frame. If you can’t “eye” the center of the frame, use a tape measure. Place a mark in the center of the frame back and then position the saw tooth hanger over the dot. If you want to be sure the hanger is even on the frame, it’s best 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 hooks take a little more work to install than saw tooth hangers, but once you know how to install them, you will feel more confident in adding them yourself.
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. Make a mark on the frame back where you want the eye hook screw to go. Then, use the measurement from the frist eye hook to place the second eye hook. If you want to make sure your picture frame hangs level, then accurately place your eye hook screws.
Once you’ve determined the placement of your screws, drill two tiny holes where the screws will go so it will make the installation easier. When the screws are secured in place cut a length of wire longer than the width of the frame to attach to the eye hooks. Put one end of the wire through the eye hook until you have a piece of wire long enough to wrap several times around the long piece of the wire. Thread the other end of the wire through the other 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. Cut off any excess wire and make sure that each end is wrapped tightly.
Now you’re set to hang your wall picture frame. Pick the wall space where you want it to hang and have someone hold the picture so you can see if it looks good on the wall. 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 of wall studs is 16 inches in most homes. If you can’t find the wall stud, you can always use a “stud finder” (available at any hardware store) or use wall anchors. If you’re hanging a frame on a cement, concrete or brick wall then you’ll have to do things a little differently compared to sheet rock. 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 is properly secured so the frame does not fall off the wall 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.
