Triangle picture hangers provide a secure and stable method for mounting artwork. These metal fasteners attach directly to the back of a picture frame, offering a robust connection point that minimizes movement once the piece is hung. This system is widely favored by galleries and framers for its reliability, especially when compared to simple sawtooth hangers.
Gathering Your Tools and Materials
You will need the triangle hangers themselves, along with the small screws designed to secure them to the frame’s wood. A screwdriver or a low-torque electric drill will be necessary for fastening the hardware. A measuring tape and a pencil are required for marking precise locations on both the frame and the wall. A level is also needed to guarantee that the hangers are aligned on the frame and that the final wall hardware is perfectly horizontal. Finally, gather the appropriate wall hooks, nails, or anchors that correspond to the weight of your artwork and the composition of your wall.
Securing the Hangers to the Frame
The standard practice is to position the hangers approximately one-quarter to one-third of the way down from the top edge of the frame. For a frame that is 30 inches tall, this means placing the hangers between 7.5 and 10 inches down from the top. This lower placement shifts the center of gravity, allowing the artwork to sit flatter against the wall and reducing the likelihood of tilting. Use the measuring tape to mark the exact spot on both vertical sides of the frame, ensuring the distance from the top edge is identical for both hangers.
When working with hardwood frames, it is advisable to create a small pilot hole before driving the screws to prevent the wood from splitting. A drill bit slightly smaller than the screw’s diameter should be used to bore a shallow hole at the marked location. Once the pilot holes are ready, align the base plate of the triangle hanger over the hole and drive the screws in until they are flush with the frame. After both hangers are secured, use a small level placed across the two rings to confirm they are perfectly horizontal before proceeding to the wall.
The Wall Hanging Process
Start by determining the ideal viewing height. The center of the artwork should typically be placed approximately 57 to 60 inches from the floor. Mark this desired center point lightly on the wall with a pencil.
Next, you must calculate the distance from the top of the frame to the point where the hangers will rest on the wall hardware. Measure the length from the very top edge of the frame down to the top edge of the installed triangle rings. This measurement represents the drop distance between the top of the picture and the wall hooks.
Transfer this drop distance measurement to the wall by measuring down from the previously marked center point. This new mark indicates the precise vertical location where the wall hardware needs to be installed. If you are using two separate wall hooks, you will need to determine the horizontal spacing between them. Measure the distance between the two installed triangle hangers on the back of the frame. Transfer this exact horizontal measurement to the wall, centering the two hook marks around the vertical line you established. Use a level to draw a faint, perfectly straight horizontal line connecting these two points, ensuring the wall hardware will be aligned. Install the appropriate wall hooks or anchors at the marked locations, making certain they are firmly secured to the wall structure. Once the wall hardware is in place, the frame can be lifted and the triangle rings carefully lowered onto the hooks.
Best Practices for Heavy or Large Artwork
For pieces that are significantly heavy or large, the method of connecting the hangers to the wall requires careful consideration for safety and longevity. While some people choose to string a single length of picture wire between the two triangle hangers, a more stable approach is to use two separate wall hooks, one for each hanger. This dual-point suspension distributes the load more evenly and prevents the artwork from shifting or tilting over time.
Simple nails or plastic screw anchors are often insufficient for heavy frames, especially when hanging on drywall. For weights exceeding 15 pounds, specialized hardware such as toggle bolts or molly bolts should be used, as these expand behind the drywall to create a much stronger mechanical grip.
Always check the weight rating of the triangle hangers and the corresponding wall hardware before installation. Manufacturers provide specific load limits, and exceeding these ratings can lead to hardware failure and damage to the artwork. Using hardware rated for at least double the actual weight of the framed piece provides a necessary margin of safety and stability.