Artwork and photographs are integral to wall décor, and you cannot afford to make them look unpleasant. This makes it crucial to perfect every little element on the frame front. The hidden component or hanging hardware at the back of the frame is equally important as a decorative piece. Hence, making the right choice is necessary.
Suitable hanging hardware depends on varied factors, and the options available may seem intimidating. From picture wires and D-rings to adhesive-backed hooks and sawtooth hardware, you may have difficulty deciding which will work best for your requirement. So, here are a few tips for choosing the right hanging hardware:
1. Consider Frame Size and Weight
The first and most significant consideration is the frame size and weight to ensure it does not fall on the floor. Ensure choosing hanging hardware that perfectly supports the weight and size of a heavy frame. You can easily find such pieces online or at physical stores where you can get them within an affordable range.
Remember, varied picture hangers have varied applications and weight potentials. While the light-duty hanging hardware, such as sawteeth, is perfect for lightweight foam board, art, and canvases, the regular, heavy-duty options, like cleats and D-rings, make hanging medium to large frames and wall décor a breeze.
Using the wrong hanger may lead to damages from falling, significant accidents, and loss of the value of irreplaceable or priceless artwork. It may also damage your walls tarnishing their aesthetic appearance by applying stress.
Conversely, the right choice of hanging hardware as per item weight will distribute its weight evenly, thus reducing the risk of wall damage.
Ensure you measure the frame weight correctly, as it may directly affect your choice of hanging hardware. The load-bearing potential of the hanging hardware must match the weight you will put on it. Hence, if you want to hang a heavy decorative item, know the potential of the hardware to sustain the weight. This ensures complete stability and safety.
2. Consider Frame Material or Hardware
Most frames already feature hooks, wires, or hangers, but if yours does not have one, flip it to examine its material and understand your hanging hardware options. Picture hangers have metal or wood frames and occasionally polystyrene or plastic frames. Know that not all hangers are perfect for varied frames.
Therefore, be clear about the different hangers available and whether they may suit your hanging preferences.
If you want to create a gallery wall with several lightweight and smaller pieces of art or photographs, use a sawtooth hanger. You can screw it directly at the back of the frame and then hang the frame straight into the nail on your wall. These hooks are simple to use and work exceptionally well for hanging lots of art.
You can even choose D-rings, the most versatile hanging hardware in the market, to hang smaller pieces or with picture wires for larger items. However, before purchase, consider the weight limit of these hooks, as D-rings in varied materials and sizes can hold weights ranging between one and ten pounds.
Security hardware is the answer for valuable or heavy pieces in a gallery, home with kids, or high-traffic commercial spaces. These units feature two elements: one for the wall and another for the artwork or picture frame. When fitted together, both these components lock art on the wall, thus preventing accidents and theft.
Adhesive-style picture hooks or double-sided tapes that simply stick the backing to the frame, hanging and pressing it into the walls, are another easy way to hang any wall art. They are the perfect hooks for apartment dwellers who generally do not like drilling holes in walls.
Cable systems and picture rails are a more exclusive and creative solution for hanging artwork on the walls. These interesting and beautiful pieces suspend your frame from wires, in case of a cable system, and from a rod attached to the wall, if it’s a picture rail.
3. Check the Wall Material
The wall material may also help you determine the hanging hardware for your decorative piece. Different wall materials need different types of hangers because the load capacity of a wall may vary as per its material.
For example, wood or concrete walls may have higher load potential than drywall or plaster walls. Also, certain wall materials are prone to damage from drilling, so they work well with adhesive or special hangers. Additionally, understand that a frame’s weight potential may differ based on the wall type you will hang it on.
While claw screws can hold approximately 100 pounds in wood studs, they can only support 30 pounds in drywalls without a stud.
While hanging hardware, like expansion anchors; drywall plugs; toggle anchors; threaded anchors; toggle bolts, and molly bolts are best for the low finish, fire-resistant drywall; lag screw anchors; drop-in anchors; concrete screws; toggle bolts; Sammy screws; double expansion shield; hammer driver pin; brick clip and sleeve anchor work best concrete walls.
Hanging frames on plaster walls made from strips of lath or wood layered one after the other may be slightly different. Masonry anchors and screws are best for these walls as you cannot hammer anything on them for the risk of cracks and damage.
Conclusion
So, follow these ways to get the apt hanging hardware. Simply understand every aspect of the many hanging hardware options to make the right choice and seek professional advice if you fail to choose.
