Frames

There is a wide variety of wood types used in the making of picture frames. Each species brings its own aesthetic qualities, durability, and price range.

Basswood (also known as basswood) is a light, soft to medium-weight wood with a fine and even grain. Its colour ranges from almost white to a pale yellow, sometimes with a slightly reddish hue. With its smooth texture and uniform structure, linden is particularly easy to work with.

Oak is a hard and robust wood with a distinctive grain and typically light to medium colouring. It is known for its strength and durability.

Beech is a light-coloured, uniform wood with a fine grain. It offers good stability and strength and is relatively affordable.

Maple is a light, smooth wood with a fine grain. It is particularly well-suited for minimalist and contemporary frame styles due to its clean appearance.

Cherry is a reddish-brown wood with a rich, consistent grain. Highly attractive and durable, it develops a beautiful patina over time. Cherry is ideal for elegant, high-end, and traditional frames.

Walnut is a dark, rich wood with a striking grain pattern. It offers a luxurious look and excellent stability, making it perfect for classic and upscale frames.

Pine is a soft wood with a light tone and visible grain. Easy to work with and cost-effective, it’s commonly used for rustic or handcrafted designs. Pine often serves as a base wood for gilded frames due to its lightness and workability.

Each of these woods offers unique characteristics that influence the appearance, longevity, and cost of a picture frame. Choosing the right type of wood depends on aesthetic preferences, budget, and the desired style of the frame.

Steel picture frames offer an excellent combination of durability, stability, and modern design. Their clean, industrial aesthetic makes them ideal for contemporary living and working spaces. Steel frames are both functional and stylish — just don’t underestimate their weight!

When choosing the right glass for a picture frame, several factors come into play – including protection, aesthetics, and budget.

Clear Glass (Standard Float Glass)
Clear glass is the most affordable glazing option for picture frames. It is transparent and provides basic protection against dust and dirt. However, it tends to reflect light strongly, which can impact the visibility of the artwork. We now use this glass almost exclusively for repairs of older framing series where standard glass was originally used.

Anti-Reflective Glass (Standard)
Anti-reflective glass, also known as non-glare or matte-finished glass, has a special coating that reduces reflections. This improves visibility under varying light conditions without significantly affecting transparency. It is slightly more expensive than standard clear glass but offers enhanced aesthetics and viewing comfort.

Museum Glass (Anti-Reflective, UV-Filtering)
Museum glass combines multiple benefits: it delivers near-perfect clarity with minimal reflections and blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays. It provides both superior protection and outstanding optical performance. This is our preferred choice and is used in nearly all our custom framing projects.

Acrylic Glass (Plexiglas)
Acrylic glass – often referred to as Plexiglas – is a shatter-resistant alternative to traditional glass. It is lighter and more impact-resistant, making it ideal for large frames or locations where safety is a concern. Acrylic can scratch more easily, although scratch-resistant coatings are available. Versions with UV protection and anti-reflective finishes are also offered.

Matte Glass (Frosted/Non-Clarity Glass)
Matte glass is an opaque, diffused glazing with a roughened surface that softens the view of the artwork. While rarely used today (we do not use it at all), it can be effective in specific designs where a subdued and less defined appearance is desired. Note that it slightly blurs the image beneath.

When framing artwork, the choice of board plays a key role in both protecting the piece and enhancing its visual appeal. Different types of boards meet different requirements in terms of durability, protection, and design.

Acid-Free and Buffered Board
This board is a particularly high-quality variant of acid-free board. It is completely pH-neutral and often made from cotton fibres, giving it exceptional durability. We use this type of board in all our frames to ensure optimal long-term protection and preservation of valuable artworks. It is available in various thicknesses and colours and is suitable for both mounting and matting purposes.

Matboard (Passepartout)
Matboard is used to visually enhance and protect the artwork within the frame. It is typically made from acid-free materials and comes in a wide range of colours, textures, and thicknesses. A mat creates a space between the glass and the artwork, preventing direct contact and adding depth to the presentation. High-end mats are often made from museum-quality board for superior conservation.

Backing Board
The backing board serves as a solid foundation for both the artwork and the overall frame structure. It can be made from simple cardboard, acid-free board, or museum-grade materials. The backing provides stability and protects the artwork from damage on the reverse side. Depending on the specific needs and budget, the board can also offer additional protection against moisture and mechanical stress.

Corrugated Board
Our corrugated board is a strong yet lightweight material that combines many of the above qualities. We often use it as a backing board thanks to its excellent stability and protective properties.