After having plenty of fun going out and about looking for top-notch prints or art to purchase for your home, and then after deciding on several pieces that you think would suit your house down to the ground, it was then time to think about the framing. This is not something that should be seen as a chore; instead, it can be just as exciting as buying the prints or art. There are so many picture frames and mount choices that making an actual decision can at times seem overwhelming.
This is where a little research can go a long way. There are many websites and picture framing blogs out there that are packed with information and tips that can make the whole decision process far easier.
Even though searching for and buying the prints or art and picture frames has been enjoyable, it is likely to have also been quite a long process. After all that time and effort, what is now essential is that you ensure that the art and frames are protected for the long term.
How to Properly Care for and Protect Your Framed Art at Home
To start with, please don’t fall into the trap that many people seemingly do, which is to assume that their framed art is safe for good without any aftercare. This is rarely the case. Throughout the year, the walls of our homes experience many environmental shifts. In the winter, during those bitterly cold snaps, people tend to have the heating on. In the summer, there are occasional bursts of direct sunshine. The overall humidity in the property is changing throughout the year.
To enable your favourite art, prints and photographs to stay in pristine condition for many decades in the future, there are a few simple steps that you can take.
Firstly, beware of the sunlight. Even though most people love to see the sun shining, direct UV rays are the absolute enemy of paper and ink. It is, therefore, worth hanging your precious pieces somewhere that avoid harsh, direct rays. The alternative is to speak to your local picture framer about UV-filtering glass options.
Secondly, when cleaning the frames, it is best to avoid spraying cleaning chemicals directly onto a framed piece. This is because the mist can easily creep under the edge of the glass, and this in turn can then lead to unsightly stains or damage the paper mount board. It is much better to simply use a dry microfibre cloth to gently dust the frame and glass.
Thirdly, the majority of people like to rearrange the rooms of their property from time to time, perhaps on a seasonal basis. When it comes to moving your precious framed pieces, it is important to ensure that you don’t move them to somewhere like a busy kitchen or a damp utility room. The exposure to sudden shifts in moisture is something that is best avoided.
As well as sudden shifts in moisture being potentially damaging to our framed art and prints, so can temperature changes. It is therefore not a good idea to hang a piece directly above a radiator or exterior-facing walls.