When it comes to art, it’s not only about the piece but how it’s displayed. When you have the ideal setup to hang your artwork, it makes them stand out much better. It helps you occupy space creatively and efficiently. Here are some advantages of using a picture hanging system.

Better for Adjusting Your Work

A gallery picture hanging system can help you get the most out of your space. Depending on the position, size, background, and décor of the place, you want to adjust accordingly. Maybe you’re hanging some work in an art exhibit and want to have a cohesive look for all of your artwork.

Curators pay attention to these small details and get a better vision of your art. It could be the difference in your pieces staying on display for another week or a buyer ready to make a purchase.

If you aren’t hanging things in a gallery or museum, you might want to put things in your living room. You have ample space on the wall and want to make sure that you utilize the room tastefully.

You have more flexibility to adjust the pictures in multiple ways before you decide on a final pattern to show off your work.

Keeps Your Work Secure

One of the main things if you’re dealing with expensive pieces, there are art thefts around that want to take your work. Curators will feel the weight off their shoulders when they can fasten the pieces more permanently.

Security hooks make it difficult to steal or tamper with the pictures. Not only will you have peace of mind that your work will be less prone to theft, but it’ll be harder to damage the work.

Also, the security hooks keep your pieces stable. As a result, you’ll see fewer accidents, such as items dropping to the ground from a high fall.

Quality Lighting

You want to show off the unique range of your work by adding a lighting system. You can get LED lighting systems to go with the art frames. Pick ones that work well with your pieces.

That way, you can get ample light but not ruin the integrity of the piece. Lighting that doesn’t produce heat will prevent your work from getting damaged. It’s imperative to have these in place for more delicate work, such as oil paintings and other sensitive art materials.

Saves Time

Another advantage of having a hanging system is saving time. You don’t have to use wires and nails only to find that everything isn’t unaligned. The hooks help secure everything in place, so you don’t have to spend hours to get the optimal setup.

Not to mention, you’ll have a professional look, whether it’s for selling pieces or just having some ambiance in your office. Whether you have a small or large painting, security hooks provide many benefits for hanging your artwork.

More Budget Friendly

It can be a hassle putting pieces by nailing them down. You never know how a wall may take to hammering and nailing. It can get expensive when it’s all said and done.

A gallery hooking mechanism saves you the trouble of hiring a professional to do the job because it won’t go through the wall in a way that affects its structure. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about redecorating and painting because of punctures in the wall.

Written by Randy Thom
Systematicart

In plain simple terms, a very large picture is one which you wouldn’t think twice about trying to hang without an extra pair of hands. The issue is not whether you can lift it. It’s about whether you have the strength and motor control in your upper body to execute a manoeuvre to hook it onto the wall on two sides while holding it above your head.

If you would struggle to hang a picture on your own because of size or weight then you ought to be thinking seriously about heavy-duty​ picture hanging system and checking the wall!

The critical factors you need to know when hanging a heavy picture are:
> what weight the picture is
> what hanging system is best for the job
> what type of wall you are hanging it on

Drywall interior walls are built using a wooden framework and some form of covering – often plasterboard in modern houses. They’re not really suitable for hanging anything heavy. Light and medium-sized pictures can be hung on dry partition walls using picture hooks which are hammered into the walls using long hardened or steel pins.

However, steel pins are not long enough nor are they strong enough to hold heavyweight pictures and should NOT be used unless you want your picture to fall off the wall. Ideally, you should aim to hang medium-sized pictures where the stud frame is (i.e. into the wood which provides a more stable structure) but the chances are the location of the wall stud does not fit where you’d like to hang your picture. To check their location you need to use a stud locator. The stud finder is invaluable for older properties and where you have drywall. If you know the drywall is robust you can use a special anchor for drywall.If you live in an older house you might find that some of your original interior walls are made of lath and plaster and the rule for these is you absolutely MUST find the wall studs before you hang anything.

Domestic homes will always have exterior walls and load-bearing walls which are suitable for hanging items which are a heavyweight. Typically in the UK, the wall is a solid masonry (brick or stone) wall or a concrete block wall.These are the walls from which to hang a very large or very heavy picture (or mirror i.e. there’s a good reason why very large mirror are very often found on chimney breasts). That’s because this type of wall can take the longer screw length which might be required to get a solid fix. If you’re hanging artwork in another sort of space you need to check what sort of wall it is. Banging on the wall often provides a good indication. If it sounds hollow then it’s interior drywall. The other trick is to bang in a nail. If it’s easy to hammer in then chances are it is drywall. If it takes a lot more effort it’s probably a masonry wall. If it’s really difficult to impossible then it’s very likely you’ve hit the concrete and only drills and screws (and a heavy duty electric drill) will work. The same can be said for good quality exterior brickwork.

Decorations

One further consideration is the decoration. If you think you might want to move paintings around a lot we wouldn’t favour walls which are wallpapered! It’s easy to fix holes in a painted plaster wall – but sorting out multiple large holes in the nice wallpaper is a bit of a challenge!

Heavy duty hanging designed to provide a more secure fixing to large and/or heavy pictures. They’re made of more robust metal and commonly have at least two if not three screw holes. It requires TWO bits of complementary hardware: heavy duty hanger. This is a flat steel plate with a hanging loop at one end which is fixed to either side of the back of the picture frame. It’s often plated in brass and has at least two and often three holes to ensure a secure fixing should any screw get loose. They are often between 50mm and 90mm in length. They can have either a D ring at one end or a straphanger with a square hanging loop.the heavy duty J hook. This is fixed to the wall and is the mate for the heavy duty hanger fixed to the frame. It provides a secure structure over which the D ring or loop is hung.

Hanging is basically as good as the weakest point within the apparatus and the level of tension placed on any weaknesses. Hence, in general, it’s advisable not to use wire and d rings for very heavy pictures because it’s been known for the wire to create a lot of strain that in turns pulls a one screw D-ring out of the back of the frame, and the picture comes crashing down. Heavy duty hanging hardware prevents pictures from falling off the wall so long as they are fixed to a robust wall and the correct hangers for the weight are used. There’s no chain or wire involved which might unravel or pull out from the back of the frame. You are also not reliant on one screw on either side the tilted picture because they are fixed either side and not in the middle how to attach heavy-duty hangers to a heavy picture you need:
> bathroom scale for checking the weight of the picture and make sure that the fixings are suitable for the weight
> 2  heavy duty hangers to fix to the back of the frame
> 2 heavy-duty wall hooks also called a heavy-duty J picture hanging hook one horizontal interlocking bracket system fixed to the top of the frame and the wall
> Screws for both the hanger and the hook suitable for the medium they are to be fixed to the type of screw is dictated by what you are fixing into (e.g. masonry or wood); the length of the screw is dictated by how thick the frame is (e.g. this is one of the reasons why larger/heavier pictures need bigger/thicker frames) how robust the wall is (e.g. in old brick we use longer masonry screws)
> wall plugs the size is dictated by the size of the hole in the heavy-duty hanging hook and hence screw size, the length is dictated by the nature of the wall and length of screw used
> the correct drill bit for the type of wall (eg you need a masonry drill bit for masonry walls)
> a spirit level – ideally one which is long
> a measuring tape sticky painters tape (the sort which lifts off easily) a soft pencil screwdriver hammer, heavier pictures hung on two wall fixings

The loop goes straight over TWO static and robust hooks on the wall, no picture wire or chain involved. Fix hanging straps to either side of the frame. Fix hanging hooks to the wall. Hang the strap over the frame. The process is as follows (omitting the checks as to which sort of drill bit, raw plug, screw you need to use) Weigh the picture located the studs in an interior wall if not using a sold wall. Check whether the width between the studs is compatible with the width between the vertical uprights of your frame. If not review whether you want to relocate the place to hang.

Select a heavy-duty picture hanger which is the right gauge for the weight of the picture. Measure the depth of the frame and select the correct depth of screws (you don’t want the screws coming through the other side!)Mark off the same distance from the top of the frame. Make sure that you’ve taken account of the size of the hook it will be hanging over which is going to fix to the wall. You need to avoid this being on the show. Try placing the hook on the back of the frame, then place the hanging loop over it and determine where the plate needs to go on the back of the frame so that the hook is invisible. Drill a hole and screw the hanger in near the top on either side. Make sure that the plate is vertical and that the D ring or loop is positioned at the top of the plate (ready to loop over the hook).Use the tape and spirit level to get the level right (i.e. bubble in the middle). Mark up the wall where the hook needs to go and then drill (and raw plug) the hole and screw the hook to the wall. Hang the loop or D rings over the hook on the wall.

Picture rails have become a very popular way of hanging pictures in homes, schools, offices. They have been used for a long times in galleries and museums. How easy is it to install them? Below you can find useful tips how to install a picture rail.

Preparation

As always when doing any DIY, preparation is key to achieving a great finish. Make sure that the walls where you’re adding the picture hanging system are clean and free of wallpaper. Any repairs or plastering should also be done before you add your picture rail. If you decide to paint your walls and not paint the picture rails, please do so before installation. This way, you’re guaranteed a perfectly clean edge. Rails in primer finish can be painted over or left white as they are.

Measuring

Measure your wall (start with the longest one) and then transfer the measurement to the piece of picture rail. Double check your measurements before cutting it to size.

Cutting the rails

Rails of your picture hanging system are made of aluminium therefore it i pretty easy to cut them to size especially if you need a straight cut.

To cut the necessary angles at the ends of the pieces of picture rail, use a mitre box and a fine saw or an electric mitre saw. If you only have a few pieces of picture rail to attach, a mitre box and handsaw are more than enough to complete the job.

Drilling

Most rails require you to drill holes for plugs. If your rails come with clips, use them as a drilling template. ALl holes need to be in line. Hold the picture rail (get someone to help you) in position and use a spirit level to make sure that it’s perfectly level. Mark spots where you want to drill.

Wall rails require a hole about every 50 cm. Ceiling rails need holes much denser. SOme rails can also be glued so if you’re using glue, you should spread an even zig-zag pattern over the back of the picture rail and press it firmly in place.

Don’t expect the corners in your room to be perfect 90° angles. It doesn’t matter too much if they are slightly off, but it’s worth checking and adjusting your cut if the angles are are much smaller or larger than they should be. It’s good to get your cut as exact as possible.

Our Top Tips

> Paint the wall before hanging – will ensure that you have perfectly tidy edges
> Measure your wall and plan how you install the rails before cutting
> Use spirit level and clips (if possible) to mark the drilling spots

Picture hanging is a long-ignored art form. But in recent years, the hook aisle at hardware stores has grown to include an encyclopedic selection of devices that can accomplish any number of feats: holding 170kg on drywall; securing frames safely above children’s beds; latching onto concrete and then moving four inches when you decide a picture could do with being pushed down a smidge. Yet many of us still hang frames on a simple nail, a strategy that horrifies the pros at galleries and museums.

“The correct method of hanging is to use D-rings,” said Marilyn Murdoch, the owner of Katayama Framing, a Portland, Ore., installation company that serves West Coast museums and galleries.

A D-ring is just what it sounds like: a metal ring shaped like the letter D that screws into the side rails on the back of a frame. The D-rings are then hung on two J-hooks attached to a wall.

The J-hook, another item of hardware that looks like it sounds and is sometimes called a “professional hanger,” is secured by three nails. It is available at hardware stores and can be used in drywall or plaster.

Museums often further secure frames with a mending plate, a device that keeps people from moving a picture and prevents it from falling off the wall during an earthquake. The plate, a piece of metal with two holes, is attached to the frame with one screw and to the wall with another.

To hang children’s art, Ms Murdoch suggested using a nail and a small magnet.

“We recently helped mount an art show of light Japanese papers,” she said. “The artist put a straight pin in the wall, then held up the paper and secured it with a little magnet, so they looked like they were floating.”

Heavier pieces, like oil paintings or large mirrors that weigh more than 70 pounds, can be attached with two cleats (usually made of wood or steel): one is screwed into the back of the frame and the other is drilled into a wall stud. The two fit together like puzzle pieces.

“Multiple cleats are safest for big things, even 500 or 1,000 pounds,” said Kent Roberts, an exhibition design manager for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. “They’re ideal in homes because cleats can go on each stud, without having to centre the picture around the studs.”

Do-it-yourselfers can hang almost anything under 40 pounds, said Heidi Karpa, an interior designer in Chicago, but she suggests they “measure three times, hang once.”

Before she hangs anything, she said, she makes scrap paper cutouts in the shape of her frames and arranges them on the wall with tape.

“Once you know how you want your paintings laid out, go to your local hardware store and tell them what you’re hanging and what kind of wall you have, and let them help you,” she said. “There are the greatest twist-in screw things that you don’t even realize exist.”

She suggested buying hooks that can support slightly more weight than the load, particularly when hanging plants because water adds pounds.

Ms Karpa also recommends investing in an electric stud finder and laser level. “When you have a row of things to hang, you find your stud, mark your point, set the laser level and a beam shoots across,” she said.

If this sounds too intimidating, though, there’s no shame in hiring a pro.

“It’s money well spent,” said Philip Gorrivan, a Manhattan interior designer who once hung 40 engraved plates by himself when a client didn’t want to hire professional picture hangers. Although he was pleased with the result, he said, he has dreamed that the client had taken the plates off the wall “and noticed the six holes behind each one.”

“I pray that she doesn’t ever take a picture off the wall,” he said. “Professional hangers can hang a dozen smaller frames in an hour.”

Companies typically charge an hourly rate of $50, plus a service fee. (Hanging a small group of pictures might cost $110.) One way to find a professional is to call a local gallery and ask who does its hanging.

If you’re planning a wall with a lot of photographs that you might want to move around, Mr Gorrivan suggested using grasscloth as a wall covering. “It has texture and adds dimension,” he said, and most important, “you won’t see the holes.”

Many professionals hang pictures from cables suspended from the ceiling, creating a three-dimensional effect. “You get these great shadows and a feeling of art being presented to you in a different way,” Ms Murdoch said.

If you want to try doing it yourself, she suggested a picture hanging system, which comes with detailed instructions.

A similar effect can be created in a room with crown mouldings, by attaching moulding clips to two wires hanging down to frame level.

“People use fishing line, which is clear, so the wires go away,” Ms Karpa said. “I love the clip because you can reposition it.”

To some, of course, this kind of experimentation may sound all too risky. Mr Gorrivan is one of them.

After his latest experience, in which an 18th-century portrait of one of his wife’s ancestors crashed to the floor because it was not hung securely, he said, he plans to leave picture hanging to the professionals.

“We call her Elizabeth,” he said. “Elizabeth wasn’t very happy with me.”

This article appeared in the New York Times.

Since 1995, Artiteq has been developing safe and flexible hanging concepts for frames and other wall decorations. These systems comprise a hanging rail with wires and hooks which can be mounted onto walls or ceilings. The company offers an extensive range of a wealth of options.

Innovation and quality

Artiteq’s strength lies in continuous innovation. The company aims for top quality both in terms of design and production. The environment and sustainability are also of paramount importance. Artiteq’s successful not only in its home country, the Netherlands, as the company sells its products in more than sixty countries.

Strong approach

Artiteq is a loyal partner that continually strives to maintain excellent customer relationships. Artiteq offers its input, evaluates on an ongoing basis and can change course rapidly. In recent years, Artiteq has substantially modified its range, resulting in new developments in terms of products and packaging, plus an appropriate solution for logistical requirements. The needs of retailers in relation to store interiors have also changed. These different challenges have resulted in a ready-to-use display unit.

A complete display unit

The new ready-to-sell display unit holds four best-sellers for the DIY market. Consumers can choose between three wall systems: the Basic or Click Rail system with quick and easy mounting, and the Info Rail, the leading presentation system for cards or drawings for installation at home or at work. There is also the ceiling system, Top Rail, ideal for use in combination with suspended ceilings.

Whether it’s a calming space to relax, a family-friendly environment or unexpected snippets of inspiration at every turn, these bloggers have captured the hearts – and design sensibilities – of thousands in the capital and beyond. Step inside and see for yourself…

LOVE CHIC LIVING

Jen Stanbrook is an interior design writer and blogger with a love for researching room accessories and design concepts. Jen created her blog Love Chic Living to share design and style ideas for the family home that don’t cost the earth. With a particular interest in modern and contemporary design, Jen posts advice on how to easily transform a room, improve your living space with the help of interior design trends, or add a bit of colour.

THE DESIGN SHEPPARD

The Design Sheppard was launched in 2009 by Stacey Sheppard, while she was working as a writer for Designer Kitchen & Bathroom magazine. The blog originally began as a place to store design content about products, concepts and events while researching for articles. Now attracting an audience on the search for interior inspiration, Design Sheppard focuses on all things related to interior design – encompassing wallpapers, lighting, individual room designs, and showcasing UK-based manufacturers and designers.

BODIE AND FOU

BODIE and FOU was established in 2007 by Karine Candice Köng to share her passions, which include wellbeing, white interiors and other inspirations for the home. Throughout her blog, Karine uses a conversational yet informative tone which speaks to her readers, presenting them with delectable photography and inspiration to motivate them to embark on a journey to refresh their home with minimalistic design.

A picture hanging system consists of a rail, a wire called sometimes cable and a hook. The number of elements depends on how long the wall is, how many pictures you are hanging and how heavy they are.

Lighter pictures need just a single wire while a heavier artwork requires two wires. You can hang more than one picture on a single wire as long as they do not exceed maximum weight allowed for the rail and wire you are using.

For all of ARTITEQ picture hanging systems we use the terms ‘RAIL’, ‘WIRE’, and ‘HOOK’. These describe the main features that make up each system.

The rail is simply a horizontal or vertical strip of aluminium that is fitted on a wall from which pictures can be hung. It can also be installed on a ceiling. And occasionally at an angle following a staircase, or on the top edge of a partition.

The wire is a piece of clear vinyl line or a steel cable that is attached to a rail. It can be easily adjusted from side to side.

The hook is attached to a wire at the height you want to hang your picture at. All hooks are easily adjustable up or down. Most of them are self-locking. Just let go and they stay in place. That way you can position your pictures the way you want very easily.

For your usual home and office needs we recommend using one wire and one hook per picture. So if you estimate the likely number of pictures you’ll be displaying at any one time, you can calculate how many items you will need. All wires and hooks are always readily available so you can always order a few more if you need to.

There is no minimum order or restrictions. If you have more pictures than you could ever hang at once, and they’re mostly of an average size, allow four wires per rail. You may want twice as many hooks than wires as you can hang pictures one above the other on the same wire.

Once you have made the choice to use a picture hanging system, you will have to decide whether you would like to mount this on the wall or ceiling.

This choice will depend on the type of wall or ceiling and the weight that the rail will need to support. An Artiteq picture hanging system for walls is mounted using the Click&Connect system. The clips are attached to the wall using screws and plugs. Next, just click the rail onto the clips to mount the rail tightly to the wall. This system makes it easy to mount a rail levelled to the ceiling.

ARTITEQ offers several solutions depending on the type of mounting, design and functionality. For example a very compact hanging rails such as Contour Rail or Click Rail that may be mounted flush against the ceiling, or the Combi Rail Pro Light, a wall hanging system with integrated picture lighting.

In addition to the modern wall rail system that uses the Click&Connect system (Click Rail, Contour Rail, Click Rail Pro), ARTITEQ also offers more traditional picture hanging systems. These hanging rails, which are J-shaped and which use aluminium or steel rods, are screwed directly to the wall without clips.

All the ARTITEQ picture hanging rails are made from a high-quality aluminium alloy, and are either powder-coated or anodised.

Painter David Watson and printmaker Morag Eaton are the artists behind the latest exhibitions at Hexham’s Queen’s Hall. The couple, who have lived and worked together for the past 30 years, have taken over a floor each, with Morag in Gallery One and David upstairs in Gallery Two.

The idea was spawned by the wife of a hill farmer when she said they paid more to have their sheep sheared than they got for the wool, but that it was necessary for the welfare of the animals.

Foldyard are Dave Watson, painter & printmaker, and Morag Eaton, printmaker, who have been exhibiting artists for the last 30+ years. As well as exhibiting in independent and municipal galleries, for the last 8 years, they have held an annual Open Studio event in their home. Year on year the Open Studio became busier and in 2017 they decided to find commercial premises to install picture hanging systems and display systems to exhibit from. A retail unit became available on Bridge Street in Berwick-upon-Tweed where they live, and FOLDYARD Gallery and Print Studio opened in 2018. With the gallery in the front space and the print studio in the back room for courses and workshops and situated on a street with small independent creative businesses, it is an ideal situation.

For the past 18 months Dave has been making a body of work called Gardens and Uncultivated spaces where he paints in private and public gardens and out in the wider landscape. Morag has spent the last year on an Arts Council England funded projected called ANOTHER FIELD: Farming Diversity. Here she made a body of work for a touring exhibition by working with 3 farms who have diversification businesses (a business which is separate from the core activities of the farm and brings in a separate revenue stream).

Dave and Morag are looking forward to having a permanent public exhibition space and how it will advance their work creatively.