3 Framing Elements That Protect Your Pictures

Posted on: 2 June 2021

Framed pictures can be found hanging on both residential and commercial walls across the country. The framing process might seem simple enough, but there are many different elements that must come together to form a successful frame.

Learn more about these elements so that you can select framing materials that will protect your pictures against damage as you display them on the walls of your home or business.

1. Glass

All frames are equipped with a piece of glass that covers the front of a picture. This glass is meant to preserve the integrity of the image and prevent any environmental damage.

There are a couple of different options to choose from when it comes to selecting the glass for your frame. Float glass is a common choice for smaller pictures. Larger pictures or pictures that will be hung in a high-traffic area should be covered with acrylic instead of glass.

Acrylic weighs a lot less than float glass. Acrylic will not shatter should the picture fall off the wall. Many acrylic coverings are also treated with specialized films that help block UV rays. This ensures that your pictures will not fade when exposed to direct sunlight.

2. Backing Board

Many people focus on the front of a frame, but the construction of the back of the frame can play a critical role in preserving the integrity of your pictures.

You should always choose a conservation backing board as the rear of your frame. This type of backing board is treated until it reaches a neutral pH level.

A neutral pH level allows a conservation backing board to repel acid, dust, and other impurities that might infiltrate your frame. The result is an image that remains structurally intact.

3. Bumpers

No custom frame project would be complete without the inclusion of bumpers. Bumpers are essentially small spacers that are affixed to the rear bottom corners of a frame.

The right bumpers can serve many useful purposes. Bumpers can prevent a picture from shifting on your wall. Bumpers can also prevent scuff marks and create a space through which air can circulate around your picture's frame.

Wool felt bumpers are effective and affordable, so many custom framers utilize these types of bumpers when framing pictures for their clients.

You must give careful thought to all of the elements that are included in the framing process if you want your pictures to last. To learn more, visit a picture framing service near you.

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