A picture framers guide to repurposing your frames
We get it, sometimes you get bored, your tastes change, or your decor style updates, and the artwork you put into your frame no longer works for you. The beauty of solid wood frames is if you take care of them, they will last decades rather than years, which means you can swap artwork out and reuse them for a long time.
Our range of frames balance classic and modern, made from frame profiles that will stand the test of time, so when you repurpose them they look like new.
By purchasing one of our frames, you’re not just buying something to suit right now, you’re buying something that can grow and change with you as your tastes change.
And it is a lot more flexible than you think!
People think that the only way to repurpose their frame is to replace it with the a piece of art the exact same size, this is not the case at all! You just need a local picture framer to help you re-imagine them. We have been helping our customers repurpose old frames for a very long time, and from a sustainability perspective we love and support it.
And there are a lot of things your local framer can do! Replace or add a mat board, replace the glass or backing, add slats, fit new artwork for you, replace the flexible pins (they can ware out with multiple times opening and closing them) or replace the hanging hardware.
When might you want to get new glass:
If you bought the frame with standard glass, and you decide you want to update it to UV glass, it is very easy for your local framer to do. They just pop it out, switch it for glass, and replace the flexible pins at the back for you. Ensure you bring all the other boards with you so they know where to put the flexible pins for a snug fit.
When do you need new boards?
The quality of board we use is designed to last decades looking great, rather than years, so unless you have damaged them or subjected them to an environment that can cause damage (moisture etc), they shouldn’t NEED replacing. Things like mould or moisture in the boards are a big one to keep an eye out for if your home is damp or you store them somewhere for a while, as this will introduce bad things to your environment as well as damage the artwork in the frame.
When you might WANT new boards
When you’re refreshing the look! Mat boards can help to completely reimagine how something is used long term.
Going from a poster frame, to a photo frame: Either get a mat with even borders, and get your photo printed and cropped to suit, or centre a standard sized image in the middle of the the frame to make switching images out easy over time.
Got a cute piece of small art? Centre it in a frame much bigger than it, and create a statement.
Float something in the middle of a solid piece of mat board (with no window) and get your local framer to also add some slats/spacers to the frame to keep it off the glass and give you a recessed look.
Or update the colour! Go from white to black, or any other colour your local framer has available to change up the look and compliment your artwork.
When you need new hangers
The hangers we give you should last you a good long time. The only time you may want to update things is if the cord starts feeling to rigid (a sign of it getting brittle) or you want to hang it in a different way.
When do I need a new set of pins in the back?
The kind of pins you find on most standard frames will flex upwards to allow you to fit artwork, and bend back down. Over multiple uses, these can wear out or work their way loose from the frame from the pressure. When custom framing, we use a more sturdy option that won’t move, but needs to be removed fully every time something needs to come out of the frame, which means they aren’t an option for a take home frame. When the pin start loosening up, or you have lost several, you can bring it into our workshop, or any picture framer near you, to get a fresh set. This will be no charge from us, though your local framer may charge a small fee for doing this to cover the material cost.
