Constructing a floating frame.

Floating frames 

What could be better than having taken the perfect picture, you want to finish the job of and construct your own floating frame.

The idea of floating frames is not a new one, but I do believe that they are  getting more and more popular.

If we are being honest this type  of frame does not suit every picture so choosing the correct picture is key .

Single subjects work the best and something that covers the complete area, it goes without saying it’s the canvas based pictures which look the best in a floating frame.

So, how do you go about constructing a floating frame and placing your canvas print into it.

Step 1.

1.      Choose your canvas print and measure its length and width. On each occasion always add between 2 and 5 millimetres to your measured figure. Anything less than 2mm or more that 5mm just does not seem to work You also need to know the depth of the canvas print so you can cut you wood to size. Whatever you do your canvas print must not extrude passed the frame itself, and its better if the wooden frame is about 2 or 3 mm passed your canvas 

Step 2.

1.      Now choose the type of wood that you wish to use, I always work with genuine Oak or Meranti wood but its up to you. Cut the wood into 4 strips remembering to add your 2 or 5mm. Having done that you need to decide just how thick you would like the frame to be, I find something in the region of 9 or 10mm looks good. If you have a planner run all the wood through the planner to ensure the correct thickness all the way around your canvas print. You will also need to cut another 4 strips of wood to the same size as your original wooden frame  and then glue them together as shown in the picture.

    

     Step 3

1.      Having glued both pieces of wood together, for me this next procedure is the trickiest, cutting the 45 degree joints. I don’t suppose there is an easy answer apart from practicing the 45 degree joints on scrap wood.

St   Step 4.

1.      Having cut the 45 degree joints its time to glue your frame together.  I use an ordinary wood glue, but be careful not to get your glue all over your wood but only into the joints. 

St  Step 5.

1.      Having glued the wood together you must ensure that your joints are at a perfect 45 degrees, I find using and engineers square the best for this purpose. Once you are satisfied that everything is okay, clamp all four pieces of wood together. Apply a good deal of pressure but no to much as to distort the wood . I found it a good idea at this stage to clean your joints and the surrounding area with white spirit so as to remove any surplus glue from your frame.

I like to leave the frame in its clamps overnight, but perhaps I am a little bit to cautious.

There are a number of different ways to construct these floating frames and I am not for one minute say this is the best and only way, this way works for me, so why reinvent the wheel.

In the next blog  I will describe on how to finish your floating frame and the best way to mount your canvas print into the frame itself.

If any of you want to share your ways of constructing a floating frame  - just get in touch.

As they say “ everyday is a school day and I am never to old to learn something new”!!!