How to hang paintings and pictures
Hanging a painting in your home can make all the difference in a look and feel of a room. Whether it be a large family photoframe or million dollar piece of artwork, there are practical considerations to take note of. It you have serveral art pieces which you would like to put on display it may be a good idea to consult a professional and have a gallery hanging system installed.
Where to hang your painting or picture
Aside from the aesthetics of where to hang your painting you need to take into consideration the longevity of your painting too. Ideally you would want to hang your painting on a wall which has a wall stud where you can surely anchor the wall hooks, away from any heat source with reasonable humidity and not in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will destroy any painting, photo or picture over time.
Hanging your picture or painting
if you are hanging a heavy picture on your plaster walls, make sure you source a wall stud or beam. Lightweight pictures can hang from hooks that stick with adhesive to the wall like 3M or with using a nail.
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DIY TIP: Sticking hooks and clips to porous surfaces:
Spray hairspray on porous surfaces such as unpainted wood and unsealed plasterboards to seal up small holes and to enhance “stickability” of clips and hooks.
Plaster Walls also known as Gyprcok Walls
Knock on the wall until you hear a solid backing. You could also use an electronic stud finder which beeps or flashes when it passes over wall studs or ceiling joists. Wall studs are usually placed 400 or 600mm apart.
If the best place for you to hang your picture is not near the wall stud, you can use a toggle, which once drilled and screwed in; it will expand and spread the pressure on your wall.
If your walls are brick, simply drill a hole with a masonry drill bit and then hammer in a plastic plug and insert screw.
Depending on your picture weight you wish to suspend your picture from a metal hook secured to the frame or from the paintings wire.
Hanging Wire
The hanging wire should be looped through eye screws, secured in the right and left sides of the frame positioned a third of the way down from the top of the frame.
Measure the wire and tighten to hang so that the wire is not visible once the picture has been hung.
Mark and Nail
Measure and mark the top of the frame when you have it positioned correctly on the wall, you may need to a chair and a ladder. Hold the picture wire up with your finger and measure the distance from your finger to the top of the frame. Measure down that distance from the pencil mark you made on the wall and mark that spot. Nail the picture hook into the wall where you made the mark.
Carefully hang picture and adjust until it is straight.