How to Add Hanging Hardware to a Frame
D-rings and wire are how most finished frames get hung, and they go on floater frames and traditional frames alike. Two rings, one length of wire, and a few minutes at the back of the frame. A screwdriver and a pair of wire cutters are the only tools involved.
What you need
- Small 2-hole D-ring Hanger or Large 2-hole D-Ring Hanger, two of them.
- #4 Coated Wire 25LB for lighter frames or #6 Coated Wire 60LB for heavier ones.
- A screwdriver, wire cutters, a tape measure and a pencil.
Hardware is not included with the frame. Everything above is in hardware.
Steps
- Lay the frame face down on a clean, padded surface.
- Measure the same distance down each side rail and mark both sides. Commonly that is around a third of the way down from the top. Both marks have to match or the frame will hang crooked.
- Screw a D-ring at each mark with the ring pointing up toward the top of the frame.
- Pick a wire rated above the weight of the finished frame, then cut a length long enough to run between the rings with several inches spare at each end.
- Thread one end through a ring, pull it back on itself, and twist the tail tightly around the standing wire. Repeat on the other side.
- Leave the wire slack enough that when you pull it up in the middle it stays below the top edge of the frame. Otherwise it shows above the frame on the wall.
- Trim the ends with the wire cutters and press them flat so nothing catches.
- Hang it on a hook or nail rated for the weight and level it.
Shop this
- Small 2-hole D-ring Hanger and Large 2-hole D-Ring Hanger
- #4 Coated Wire 25LB and #6 Coated Wire 60LB
- 1" Sawtooth Hanger for a small, light frame
- All hardware
Related
- How to Attach a Sawtooth Hanger
- How to Install Artwork in a Frame
- How to Mount a Canvas with Offset Clips
- All framing tutorials
Need help? Contact us and we will talk it through with you.
Frequently asked questions
Which wire should I use?
Pick a rating above the weight of the finished frame. #4 coated wire is rated to 25 lb and #6 to 60 lb, and both come in 25 foot sections.
Does this work on a floater frame?
Yes. D-rings and wire go on floater frames and traditional frames alike. Offset clips and points are the parts that differ between the two.
How far down the frame do the D-rings go?
Far enough that the wire does not show above the frame when it is hung, commonly about a third of the way down. What matters most is that both rings are the same distance from the top.
Is the hanging hardware included with my frame?
No. Hardware is not included, but you can buy everything you need in hardware.
Can I use a sawtooth hanger instead?
On a smaller, lighter frame, yes. See attaching a sawtooth hanger.