Author: Safari Digital

Brick walls are known for making a space appear more rustic, industrial, and charming – particularly in homes. However, the uneven texture and hard composition of bricks can make it hard to securely hang pictures, artwork, and frames. 

Can You Hang Pictures and Artwork on Brick Walls?

Yes, you can! But it’s not as easy as it seems, as brick walls are significantly harder to drill into to place the hooks or wall anchors that your pictures or paintings will hang from. 

Unlike easier-to-work-with wall surfaces like drywall or concrete, working on a brick wall will take considerably more effort and expertise in order to achieve a safe and secure structure to hang picture frames. 

A Simple Guide for Hanging Pictures on Brick Walls

Hanging pictures or artwork on brick walls can be tricky — brick surfaces are not easy to work with, and usually require specialised expertise for safety reasons and to ensure a secure installation. 

In general, to prepare brick walls for picture hanging, you need to:

Mark the spots on the brick wall — This can help you plan the spacing of the artwork. Be sure to take measurements as necessary to avoid overlaps and the need to drill multiple holes. 

Choose the right equipment – Inserting the right wall anchors into the drilled sections on the wall is crucial. Not using the right type of anchor to support the load of the frame will result in an insecure installation. 

Get someone who knows what they are doing — whether you’re renting or you’re in an older brick property, don’t risk the security of your property and the artwork by DIY-ing a project that isn’t as simple as it seems. Consider getting in someone who know what they are doing when it comes to hanging artwork on brick walls.

Common Mistakes When Hanging Pictures and Art on Brick Walls

When trying to hang pictures onto a brick wall, there are two common mistakes that should be avoided:

• Mistake #1: Drilling into the brick

Brick material is extremely hard, and if the drilling process is not done with the proper expertise, can potentially result in cracking or damaging the wall. Instead of choosing to drill into the brick material, it’s typically recommended to drill into the mortar surface between the bricks. Holes drilled into mortar are much easier to be filled in later on, should you decide to shift the position of your pictures or artwork. 

• Mistake #2: Using adhesive hooks or wall anchors

The porous and uneven surface of brick walls often make it an unreliable surface to use adhesive based hooks or anchors, even for small and lightweight frames. While adhesive hooks are much easier to install, there’s a higher likelihood of them failing to securely hold onto the brick wall, meaning that your pictures and artwork could fall and be damaged as a result. 

Can You Hang Art on Brick Walls in a Rental?

Yes, but with caveats. With rental situations, it’s advised to check with the agent or owner if any drilling or modification to the brick wall is permitted. Drilled holes into brick walls are usually considered as “damage” to the apartment, so be careful to seek permission first before proceeding with the work. 

The Value of Professional Advice When Hanging on Brick Walls

Trying to hang artwork and pictures on a brick wall as a DIY project is possible, but it’s not without the risks of causing structural and cosmetic damage to the wall. As the leading professional picture-hanging service in Australia, we have the right skills and equipment to hang your artwork and pictures safely and securely. Contact us today to start hanging your artwork on your brick wall!

Large mirrors can enlarge smaller areas in the home by creating the illusion of more space. However, they come with a significant challenge — their sheer weight of large, quality mirrors often makes it difficult to get them hung up on the wall. If not hung properly, a large, heavy mirror can fall down and break – or worse, injure you or a loved one.

So, if you’re due to hang a new, large mirror on the wall, here are some safety considerations and limitations you should keep in mind.

How much does a heavy mirror weigh?

Mirrors are made from a sheet of glass, which has a density of 2.5. That means that a 1-by-1 metre with a thickness of 5 mm will have a weight of approximately 12.5kg. Depending on the dimensions of your mirror, it may have a considerable weight. You should also take the material and size of the mirror’s border into consideration. 

If you’ve bought the heavy mirror from a retail store or manufacturer, there’s a good chance that they will have the weight of the mirror listed as under its specifications.

Factors to consider when hanging a heavy mirror

The type of wall material in your home

The material type of your home’s wall is one of the biggest factors to consider when hanging a heavy mirror. Home wall materials usually come in concrete, brick, timber wood, or gyprock (plaster). 

Concrete and brick are the most durable types of wall material, followed by timber wood, and lastly, gyprock. The more durable your walls are, the more weight they will naturally be able to support. 

The weight of the mirror itself

The heavier your mirror is, the more difficult it will be to hang on the wall. Conventional wall nails and hooks will usually only support up to 22kg — anything past that level will pose a safety risk to the mirror and the area around it. 

For safety, you should always double the weight of your mirror before applying the result to the load capacity of your chosen hanging method. This is to account for the added stress and movements that the heavy mirror may undergo over time. 

The position of the mirror

The height and position that you want to hang the heavy mirror can influence the difficulty of securing the mirror into place, if at all. As a general rule, the heavier the mirror, the closer to the ground you should hang it to avoid disastrous damage if it falls down. 

The hanging orientation is another thing to consider. Hanging the mirror horizontally will mean that you will need more anchor points along its length to ensure that its weight is evenly supported. 

The type of hanging method

Determine what kind of tools or solutions you are going to use to hang the mirror. Anchor hooks with drill nails will offer more weight support but come with the downside of having to make unsightly holes in your walls that remain if you choose to change the hanging location. There’s also no guarantee that the hooks will hold up over time, leading to a precarious situation where the mirror could fall anytime. 

There are, however, some solutions that can effortlessly support a heavy mirror while offering an elegant look that doesn’t ruin your wall’s appearance. We’ll get into that later on. 

How to gauge wall and equipment load capacity before mounting

Using the factors we’ve outlined above, you should have a good idea of the limitations of your wall and hanging equipment load capacity in comparison with the weight of the heavy mirror. 

Always remember to check and double-check the specifications of the mounting equipment, whether they are anchors, screws, or customised hardware that came with the mirror. 

Our advice is to always consult a professional contractor or mirror hanging expert to find the right solution instead of hanging it on your own.

What is the best way to hang a heavy mirror?

As we’ve mentioned, the best way to hang a heavy mirror is to engage the professional assistance of a mirror hanging service. DIY projects may be tempting, but doing so may not result in a high-quality or safe mounting for your heavy mirror. Using a service will also provide you the opportunity to have a specialised hanging system or rail that you can also use to hang other pictures as well. 

A professional mirror hanging service will ensure all safety considerations are taken into account when mounting the mirror, and can do so quickly and efficiently. At Professional Picture Hanging, we’re the experts for hanging services for all types of mirrors, whether it’s a single large mirror in a home, or several large mirrors as part of a commercial project – we service Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and Newcastle.

When it comes to hanging a valuable work of art or a treasured picture, the way it’s framed can make all the difference in how it is displayed, shared, and appreciated. There are hundreds of different frame options on the market – but there are two main options when it comes to picture frames: custom or off-the-shelf. 

If you’re not aware of the differences between the two, not to worry. We’re here to help shed some light on the key features of custom picture frames and off-the-shelf frames to help you make the best decision. After all, if you’re paying a lot for art or have acquired a piece of significant sentimental value, you want to make sure it’s properly cared for and displayed, right?

What’s the difference between a custom and ready-made frame?

Ready-made frames are most often mass-produced in big batches based on common styles that are seen in most homes. You’ve probably seen them around — a standard black-coloured 4×6” frame with rectangular borders. Well, while there’s nothing wrong with using frames that are bought off the shelf, there’s also nothing particularly remarkable about them since they are put together based on a template. 

Custom-made picture frames, on the other hand, are made to order. These frames are designed around the artwork or picture to achieve an ideal spacing and framing effect. While they can be made to match standard picture sizes, they also have the flexibility of being formed into other shapes like octagons or custom silhouettes. 

Which brings us to our next key area of difference — customisation. 

Ready-made frames come in limited sizes, colours, designs, and materials. Unless you’re looking for a simplistic frame, you’ll be hard pressed to find an off-the-shelf frame that perfectly fits your artwork or picture. 

With custom picture frames, you’ll get to change almost every aspect of the frame to your liking. Naturally, you’ll also have a better selection of designs and quality frame material to choose from, such as engravings, matte finishes, and premium hardwoods. 

Last but not least, these two options will differ in overall quality. 

Generally, you shouldn’t expect ready-made frames to be made with top-quality materials — after all, there’s a reason why they are so much more affordable than custom frames. This means that off-the-shelf frames are sadly more prone to breaking when damaged, offering less protection for your artwork or pictures. 

Custom-made picture frames can be quite the investment, but you’ll get what you pay for. With higher quality materials and expert workmanship, these types of frames can last for years without needing replacement, giving you peace of mind and displaying your artwork beautifully. 

What are the standard frame sizes?

The most common sizes for photographs or pictures are 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 7″, and 8″ x 10″. Printed photographs usually come in these sizes, and the framing for them will depend on how much space you want to include around them with a mat, if at all. 

As a general rule, picture sizes 8″ x 10″ and larger should be framed with a mat to create a border around them for best effect. 

Here is the photo frame size list with dimensions in inches and centimetres:

• 4″ x 6″  or  10.16 x 15.24 cm
• 5″ x 7″  or  12.7 x 17.78 cm
• 8″ x 10″ or  20.32 x 25.4 cm
• 8.5″ x 11″ or  21.59 x 27.94 cm
• 11″ x 17″ or  27.94 x 43.18 cm
• 13″ x 19″ or  33.02 x 48.26 cm
• 16″ x 20″ or  40.64 x 50.8 cm
• 18″ x 24″ or  45.72 x 60.96 cm
• 20″ x 24″ or  50.8 x 60.96 cm
• 20″ x 30″ or  50.8 x 76.20 cm
• 24″ x 36″ or  60.96 x 91.44 cm

What sizes are available for custom frames?

Custom frame sizes are not fixed — as long as you have the dimensions of your artwork or picture, a custom frame can be built around it with the appropriate mat border. With custom frames, sizing is not much of a concern, allowing you to focus on finding the ideal mat to border ratio to create a stunning display. 

How long does custom framing take?

Custom framing can take anywhere from a few hours to a week to be completed. The more complex the custom frame is, the more time it will take to craft it and fit your artwork or picture perfectly in it. 

Some picture framing companies offer a same-day service where your custom frame can be prioritised to be made, fitted, and ready for display on the same day. 

Cost difference between custom and ready-made frames

The cost for either option can vary based on the size and material of the frame, but custom-made frames will be more expensive than a comparatively sized off-the-shelf frame. The price for a custom made frames will start at atleast $100, depending on the level of customisation you opt for and the size of the artwork

But as we’ve said before, paying for a quality frame is a worthwhile investment, especially if your artwork has significant monetary or personal value. Getting a frame that is specially made for it is the best way to both display it and protect it at the same time. 
With so many options of ready-made frames and custom picture frames, it can be quite overwhelming to choose a frame that perfectly fits the aesthetic and size of your picture or artwork. If you’re still on the fence about which type of frame is the better choice for you, we can help. At Professional Picture Hanging, we are experts at finding the ideal picture frame for any type of photograph or art piece. Contact us today to find out how we can help you frame and hang your pictures with the best results. Better yet – once framed, we’ll also hang it for you!

Looking for a way to hang your artwork or pictures without damaging them or your walls? We’ve got expert tips to help you hang them safely and securely. Read on to find out more!

So you’ve got some pictures or artwork that would look great on your wall. The only problem is — you don’t want to put holes into your wall to hold them in place. As professional picture hangers, we’re here to share our expert advice with you so that you can display your new piece effortlessly, without worrying about them falling off or damaging the walls.

In this article, we’ve included some picture-hanging methods you should avoid, as well as the best way to hang them without damaging your walls.

Table of Contents

• The Importance of Hanging Art Safely
• Picture Hanging Methods to Avoid
• The Best Way to Hang Pictures Without Damaging Walls

The Importance of Hanging Art Safely

Art comes in different shapes and sizes, from quaint 1×1 frames, to sprawling canvases that can span an entire wall. When displaying art in homes, many people opt to hang them on the walls to utilise the empty space. 

However, big or heavy artwork can often prove a challenge to hang due to the potential danger of falling down, damaging furniture, or hurting others as a result. Holding these large artworks up using nails is the most obvious solution, but it’s also one that leaves unsightly holes in the walls. 

Furthermore, those living in rentals or strata won’t have the luxury of hammering nails into the wall to hang artwork or pictures due to the lasting damage it will have on the wall. 

Picture Hanging Methods to Avoid

If you’re looking to hang your pictures or artwork without any damage to the walls, we recommend avoiding these few methods:

Nails or screw-in hooks

Using nails or screws as anchor points for hanging art can work, but they leave holes and damage on your wall that can potentially lead to long-term maintenance issues and frequent repairs. If not installed properly, some nails or screws can also come loose from the wall and cause your artwork to fall unexpectedly and become damaged. 

Wall hooks that you can find at Bunning while more sturdy than individual nails, often require screws or nails to hold them securely into place, resulting in the same wall holes and damage to your walls. 

Adhesive-based hooks 

Avoid using adhesive strips for hooks. The adhesive material can often peel off paint or leave residual marks after a prolonged period of time, resulting in cosmetic damage to the wall. Adhesive strips also vary in strength and holding power, making them rather unreliable options for hanging heavier, high-value pieces of artwork. 

Tape 

Tape is perhaps the most unreliable tool for hanging pictures and artwork. Due to its flexibility, it does not have the structural strength to support frames for artwork or pictures. 

Tape is also notorious for peeling and discolouring wall surfaces, which results in the need for repairs and paint jobs to cover up blemishes and damage, especially in a rental property. 

The Best Way to Hang Pictures Without Damaging Walls

So, what is the best way to hang pictures without damaging your walls? 

At Professional Picture Hanging, we make use of a specialised hanging system to hang pictures and artwork seamlessly without any damage to walls. Our picture rails are easily removable and customisable to fit any wall material, from gyprock to brick, or even concrete. 

We can mount your picture and artwork securely and safely on your walls, regardless of their size or weight. Plus, our picture-hanging services include placement recommendations to display your artwork for the most stunning results. 

If you live in a rental property and are not able to drill into the walls, we recommend booking us in to remove the hanging hooks and fill the holes with plaster when you are moving out.

Contact our team today to find out how we can help you hang your artwork securely and safely without damaging your walls!