Question Outdoor Framing?

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sullivan

Grumbler in Training
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Oct 7, 2004
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Manchester, NH
A customer brought in a canvas (40"x45") that needs to be stretched and framed to be hung outdoors. It is for a local restaurant's outdoor patio area and will be hung outdoors during the summer months.

What do I need to do to make this weatherproof? The canvas itself is home-made with the restaurant logo- so it does not have real value to it.. it can be remade if necessary (done with a large stamp)-- Customer also requested plexi glass.

How would I go about sealing the frame? The moulding will be LJ's 702441 (4" Verona)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
Outdoor Framing

Try marine varnish. Although the frame is not intended for outdoor use, I know of a framer who has used a variety of frames outdoors, exposed directly to sun and rain, and this works pretty well.
 
For an outdoor application it would be better to print on vinyl and use a bannergrip frame, like this one:

Biking2.jpg


Easy to change sign /art periodically, no problem with precipitation, or condensation.
 
The varnish and vinyl printing suggested make a great deal of sense. Having acrylic in a frame, outdoors may generate condensation issues, beyond the problems that waterproofing entails. This may be a place where a polymer frame could be useful and the logo could be either done in outdoor vinyl or could be executed on an aluminum/polymer panel, like DiBond, or AlumaLite.



Hugh
 
If it's going to catch direct sun, don't put plexi in it. And the more you try to seal it the worse the condensation will be.

Been there, done that. :o

In terms of the frame itself, A plain wood with several coats of varnish (inside and out) will last a long time. I made my shop sign from a sheet of marine ply edged with some Ramin picture moulding and it's been up for 16 years and never had a lick of varnish since I put it up. It's starting to flake a bit, but it doesn't look bad. In fact, it has acquired quite a nice crackly finish.
 
Thanks for your suggestions!

Tom, you are right about New England summers!

We just decided to eliminate the plexi. We will varnish the front an back of the canvas and leave the back open.

The frame needs to be rustic and weathered. A vinyl banner and plastic frame, unfotunately, will not work in this particular setting.

I will try my luck at vanishing the frame! Customer agreed that if the frame does "weather" over time, all the better! It will still fit in with the decor and theme of the restuarant.
 
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