How to Attach a Sawtooth Hanger

A sawtooth hanger is the quickest way to hang a smaller, lighter frame. One hanger, two small nails, and it drops straight over a nail or picture hook in the wall. Do this after your artwork is installed and the frame is finished, and use D-rings and wire instead on anything large or heavy.

What you need

  • A 1" Sawtooth Hanger.
  • A hammer and the small nails for the hanger.
  • A tape measure and a pencil.
  • A nail or picture hook for the wall, rated for the weight of the finished frame.

Hanging hardware is not included with the frame. It is all in hardware.

Steps

  1. Pick up the finished frame and get a feel for the weight. If it feels heavy in your hands, stop here and use D-rings and wire instead.
  2. Lay the frame face down on a clean, padded surface so you do not mark the face while you work.
  3. Measure the top rail and mark the center. Centered is the only position that will hang level from a single hanger.
  4. Hold the hanger on your mark, flat against the wood and square to the top edge of the frame.
  5. Tap a nail through the hole at each end. Go slowly and keep the hanger from shifting as the first nail bites.
  6. Check that the hanger is still square and sitting flat against the rail. One that went on crooked will hang the frame crooked.
  7. Set your nail or hook in the wall, drop the frame onto it, and slide the frame left or right until it sits level.

The teeth are what let you nudge the frame sideways after it is on the wall, so you do not have to get the wall nail perfect the first time.

Shop this

Related

Need help? Contact us and we will talk it through with you.

Frequently asked questions

Sawtooth hanger or D-rings and wire?

A sawtooth is fine for a small, light frame and takes a minute. For a larger or heavier frame we suggest D-rings and wire, which spreads the weight across two points.

Where does it go on the frame?

Centered on the back of the top rail, flat against the wood and square to the top edge.

Is a sawtooth hanger included with my frame?

No. Hardware is not included, but you can add one from hardware when you order your frame.

Can I use two of them?

Two hangers means two nails in the wall that have to line up exactly. If a single sawtooth is not enough for the frame, D-rings and wire are the easier answer.

Can I put a sawtooth on a floater frame?

It attaches to the top rail the same way. Canvases in floater frames tend to be larger, so for most of them we would point you to D-rings and wire.