| Learn how to select and install your own picture | | | | hangs level, then accurately place your eye hook |
| frame hardware so you can hang your favorite | | | | screws. |
| picture frames quickly and easily. If you've ever | | | | Once you've determined the placement of your |
| tried to install your own picture frame hardware, | | | | screws, drill two tiny holes where the screws will |
| then you know it can be challenging. Fortunately, | | | | go so it will make the installation easier. When the |
| most quality hanging picture frames come with | | | | eye hooks are screwed into the frame, cut a |
| frame hardware already installed, but if you | | | | length of wire that's longer than the width of the |
| happen to buy a frame without hanging hardware | | | | frame so you can attach it to the eye hooks. |
| this article will walk you through what you need to | | | | Thread one end of the wire through an eye hook |
| do. | | | | until you have a short length of wire to wrap |
| The most important step when installing picture | | | | several times around the long piece of wire. |
| frame hardware is to make sure you choose the | | | | Thread the other end of the wire through the |
| right type and size of hardware for your frame. | | | | other eye hook. Before securing the wire keep a |
| There are two types of picture frame hardware | | | | hold of the unsecured piece of wire and hold the |
| that are most commonly used — saw | | | | middle of the wire forming a triangular shape. |
| tooth hangers and eye hooks. | | | | While keeping the triangular shape in the wire to |
| Saw Tooth Hanger Hardware | | | | allow enough wire for hanging, wrap the short end |
| Saw tooth hangers are best used for picture | | | | of the wire around the long wire several times |
| frames smaller than 11x14. Saw tooth hangers | | | | and secure it in place. The wire should be snug |
| are installed on the center of your frame back | | | | enough so it does not show above the frame. |
| and get their name from their jagged, saw blade | | | | Now you can cut off the excess wire and make |
| look. The saw tooth helps with the alignment to | | | | sure that each end is wrapped securely. |
| keep the picture frame even on the wall. Before | | | | Now you are ready to hang your wall frame. Pick |
| you install the saw tooth hanger, always know | | | | the wall space where you want it to hang and |
| which direction you plan to hang it so the hanger | | | | have someone hold the picture so you can see if |
| will be in the right place. If you can't estimate the | | | | it looks good on the wall. If you have multiple |
| center of the frame, use a tape measure for | | | | wall picture frames, it is a good idea to position |
| accuracy. Place a dot at the center point of the | | | | them on the floor and determine how they should |
| frame and center the saw tooth hanger over the | | | | be displayed before you hammer nails in your wall. |
| dot. If you want to be sure the hanger is even | | | | When arranging your frames on the floor, use a |
| on the frame, it's best to use a level. Once the | | | | string to represent the wall area so you can |
| hanger is level and centered, hammer in the two | | | | determine the proper spacing of your picture |
| small nails on each side of the saw tooth hanger | | | | frames. |
| and you’re done. | | | | Be sure when installing your wall picture frame |
| Eye Hooks | | | | that the nail goes into a wall stud. The spacing of |
| Eye hooks screw into the wood of the frame. | | | | wall studs is 16 inches in most homes. If you can't |
| They work especially well for heavy or large | | | | find the wall stud, you can always use a "stud |
| picture frames. Eye hooks take a little more work | | | | finder" (available at any hardware store) or use |
| to install than saw tooth hangers, but once you | | | | wall anchors. Hanging a frame on a cement, brick |
| know how to install them, you will feel more | | | | or concrete wall is different than on a sheet rock |
| confident in adding them yourself. | | | | wall. For any type of brick, concrete or cement |
| Eye hooks are placed on each side of the frame | | | | wall, always pre-drill the holes with a mason bit |
| about one-third of the way down from the top of | | | | and use screws and wall anchors. Be sure the |
| the picture frame. With a tape measure, measure | | | | screw and wall anchor are tightly in place so the |
| the back of the frame between the top of the | | | | frame won't fall off and get damaged. |
| frame to where you want to install the first eye | | | | It may take some extra effort to install your |
| hook. Mark on the back of the frame where the | | | | frame hardware and hang your picture, but once |
| screw will go. Then, use the measurement from | | | | you see your picture frame displayed on the wall, |
| the first eye hook to place the second eye hook. | | | | you’ll be happy with the result and glad |
| If you want to make sure your picture frame | | | | you took the extra time to do it. |