Framing Advice

How to get the most out of your frame and ensure you’re protecting your artwork.

Our extensive experience means we can offer you the very best advice for all kinds of picture framing requirements.

All our frames are individually hand made by experts working to exacting standards to ensure every painting, photograph or presentation is given the care and attention to detail it deserves.

Whether your artwork is complex or simple, valuable or sentimental - a Menor Frame will enhance it to the full and continue to do so for many years to come.

Menor Guides

Explore our range of guides, designed to help you get the best from your artwork.

  • Artworks are often valuable or of a priceless sentimental value and if they were damaged it would leave you devastated.

    At Menor we recognise the importance of protecting artworks, however valuable they may be, by using only the best mounting materials as standard. This means that each painting or photo is carefully mounted onto PH neutral backing boards that do not contain harmful acids which could potentially destroy or permanently discolour artworks.

    We also have a museum standard conservation mounting option which is guaranteed to protect artworks for years and our experts are skilled at mounting or sandwiching delicate, original and rare artworks so they are not fixed using damaging adhesives or tapes.

    As well as protection from behind we can offer various types of glazing which prevent damage to artworks from light sources such as sunlight. Specially formulated UV Protection glass is available to ensure artworks are fully protected from the front, so they will not fade or discolour.

    There are other ways to protect your artwork and it’s worthwhile following our 4 easy ways to check for potentially damaging causes below.

    Whether you have an original Monet gathering dust in the attic, or a recent family snapshot - make sure you enhance and protect it in a beautiful Menor Frame.

  • Incredibly, your picture frames could be damaging your cherished paintings or photographs and here are 4 easy ways to check that everything is as it should be:

    Are the wires and fittings completely safe?

    Frayed hanging wires and poor fittings often create serious problems. Falling pictures not only wreck themselves but can also cause injury or damage to other objects. Check your frames have either a stainless steel or rot-proof polyester cord firmly fixed to the rim, not the backing board. We can make your frame safe and secure by using the correct fittings.

    Is the artwork properly protected?

    If your paintings or photos are fixed to the wrong backing they could become permanently damaged. Hardboard, plywood and MDF may appear substantial, but all contain acids which can transfer into your artworks and stain, discolour or corrode them. Check your artworks are properly mounted. We can solve this problem by correctly mounting artworks onto specialist boards to protect them from impurities.

    Is the frame correctly taped and sealed?

    The “air gap” between the frame and backing board should be taped properly to prevent insects getting inside. Sellotape and masking tape are ineffective because they dry out, so check carefully under the glazing for tiny flies and bugs. We can replace any affected parts and provide a seal against insect infestation.

    Is air circulating behind the frame?

    Picture frames can be damaged simply by contact with the walls behind them. Damp (for example from newly plastered walls) can transfer into the frame, mount and artwork making it become mouldy. A simple remedy is to fit bumpers (spacers) at the back of the frame to prevent this. Solve it with our free bumpers!

  • It is amazing how different frame and mount combinations can transform artworks in an instant. Frames (aka mouldings) can be heavy or thin, light or dark, decorative or plain and could enhance or detract your image.

    Mounts (the surrounding area of board that sits under the glazing and above your artwork) are available in an extensive range of colours and finishes designed to complement your artwork perfectly. Double mounts, triple mounts and other special mount techniques means the permutations are virtually endless and, executed professionally, produce outstanding results.

    Our experts will be pleased to advise on all suitable combinations to complement your individual or collection of artworks, just bring them along to our showroom and enjoy browsing through the range of samples.

  • Glass is an often overlooked feature that could make or break a presentation. Even the most amazing images can be spoiled through the use of inferior glass, simply because they cannot be seen properly.

    At Menor you can specify from a range of high quality glass options such as Non-reflective, UV Protective, Museum Standard and Reflection Control Art Glass.

  • You probably know exactly where you wish to place your intended picture frame in your home and have made provision for a suitable wall-fixing to carry the weight.

    All Menor picture frames come complete with either non-flexing polyester cords or metal brackets designed to enable perfect hanging. They also come with picture frame bumpers to allow air to circulate between the back of the frame and the wall. This prevents damp (for example from newly plastered walls) from penetrating into the frame and mountboard damaging the artwork, usually permanently.

    Never used frayed or damaged wires or fittings and make sure fittings are secured to the frame and not the backboard.

Glossary of Framing Terms

We understand that sometimes it can seem that buzz words start flying around when it comes to framing. Here are some basic framing terms which we hope you might find useful when you discuss your requirements with us.

  • A framed presentation of memorabilia, for example team shirts, boxing gloves, CD or LP sleeves and medals.

  • The transfer of chemicals into artworks from inferior quality backing boards which causes staining, discolouration and permanent damage.

  • The space where the backing board meets the moulding. This should be properly taped to prevent insect infestation.

  • The terms used to describe the ‘hole’ cut into the mount to reveal the artwork. Traditionally this is rectangular, however Menor can cut custom shaped apertures to match specific requirements.

  • Originals or prints of paintings, drawings and photographs.

  • This is a PH neutral board containing no acids that sits behind the mountboard and is taped using special framing tape to the back section of the moulding.

  • A metal device attached to the moulding for hanging purposes.

  • Small foam or plastic lozenges attached to the bottom corners behind the moulding allow air circulation and prevents the transfer of damp into the moulding.

  • Strung between two fittings attached to the moulding, the cord should be made of rot-proof polyester.

  • A common cause of picture frame damage. Damp from walls (particularly newly plastered walls) can transfer into the moulding, mountboard and eventually the artwork. Fitting bumpers allows air circulation and helps prevent this.

  • A lower layer of mount, often in a colour that complements the artwork and contrasts with the upper mount, adds an extra dimension and finish.

  • The eyes attached to the moulding through which the cord is threaded.The eyes attached to the moulding through which the cord is threaded.

  • Either the collective noun for the whole presentation, or an often used word describing the Moulding.

  • The clear element that sits between the mount and the moulding. Various types of glazing are available which allow greater see-through, such as non-reflective, and UV Protection.

  • The presence of insects such as tiny black fly appearing under the glazing. This can be prevented by properly taping over the Air-Gap.

  • Usually made from wood or metal, the moulding provides the overall edge to the picture frame. Four lengths of moulding are precision cut to an angle of 45 degrees and securely fastened together to form a perfectly square surround for the picture aperture.

  • The surrounding area of board that sits under the glazing and above your artwork.

  • A PH neutral board to which the artwork is either mounted or taped.

  • A mount where 2 or more windows are cut out to reveal more than one artwork. This is particularly effective for montages and collections such as cigarette cards.

  • An actual painting, drawing, certificate or photograph. (Menor can provide services to photograph or scan your original to enable the printing of replicas and limited editions and/or archiving for preservation purposes.)

  • A one-off or limited edition print from any original or digital file.

  • A paper-based framing tape which is glued using special resin to the backing board and back section of the moulding to seal the Air-Gap.

  • An inferior alternative to polyester cord.