How to Hang Large Paintings with Wooden Backs

A large painting needs special care when it comes to hanging it on your wall. Not only does the hook on the wall need to be strongly supported to the framework of the wall but the hardware on the picture itself needs to be strong enough. Use hardware that is strong enough for the weight of two painting as opposed to being just strong enough for one.

Things You'll Need

• Bathroom scale
• Hammer
• Finish nail
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Strap hangers
• Screwdriver
• Picture hooks
• Wood screws
• Picture wire

Instructions

1. Weigh the painting on a regular bathroom scale. Stand on the scale without the painting, take your weight, and then take it again while you are holding the painting. Subtract your weight from the second measurement to get the weight of the painting. Double the weight of the painting to find the proper size hardware to use.

2. Find the studs in the wall by thumping the wall at different intervals until the sound changes. Hammer a small finish nail into the wall to determine where the stud is and then measure 16 inches in either direction to find another stud. Mark the wall lightly with a pencil where you want to install the picture hooks.

3. Screw two picture hooks suitable for the weight of your picture into the wall, anchoring them into the stud using a 2-inch wood screw. Double check that they are straight using a level and make them low enough from the ceiling so that the picture will be almost centered at the hooks.

4. Screw two strap hangers to the back of the frame, angling them upward to match the angle the wire will make when it is hanging on the picture hooks. Use a screwdriver to sink the ½-inch screws into the wood frame. Measure from the top of the frame and make each hanger the exact same distance down.

5. Thread your picture wire through the strap hangers on the back of the picture. Go through each side and then double the wire back on itself and twist several times to secure the wire.

6. Lift the picture and secure the wire over the picture hooks on the wall. Straighten the picture until it is level.

References

• Picture Hang Solutions: FAQs