heavy art

[naturephotographer]

A lady just called and asked how to frame a 200 pound piece of framed art her mother gave her. It has a wire on the back but they don't think its heavy enough. I don't have anything to hang something this heavy. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Dave]

I presume you mean how to "hang" not "frame" a 200 lb. piece of framed art...

First, I would verify that it actually is 200 lbs. It would have to be extremely large or some type of three dimensional heavy art to actually be 200 lbs.

If indeed it is 200 lbs., a number of factors would enter into its hanging methods. If the frame is hardwood, it may be possible to use some traditional hanging methods such as large mirror hangers and heavy wire with two or three passes of the wire. You probably would need to pass the wire through a hanger attached to the bottom middle of the frame in order to make sure the frame doesn't bow over time unless it is extremely sturdy. If this method is used, you must use two hangers located about three to five inches from the sides of the frame as there would be more than 100 lbs. of weight on each hanger due to simple trigonemtry principles. Also, the type of hooks used would need to be anchorable into the wall studs.

I bet the customer is guesstimating the weight of this piece and it is not anywhere near the 200 lbs. they are stating.

Go look at the piece yourself before quoting your hanging charges.

Dave Makielski

 

[BILL WARD]

4 "words"

z bar

french cleats


that way you can get a commission on hanging the item(if you are into that market) rather than just giving advice over the phone

 

[HannaFate]

You don't "hang" work that massive. You "install" it. Even if the wire is heavy enough (which I doubt) the wall may not be strong enough.

I agree with Dave. My first move would be to go check out the piece, and see what it really weighs.

I would not be surprised if the actual weight is between 50 and 70 pounds.