Architectural salvage picture frame. I mean it just sounds cool – right? Well maybe it does to me, since I love architectural salvage, or maybe that was a real nerdy thing to say. Architectural salvage are pieces from structures that have been saved like: corbels, windows, banisters, etc… It’s one of my favorite ways to add character and interest to my home decor. Plus architectural salvage pieces tend to be great pieces to refurbish!
So I’ve established my love of salvaged pieces. But for this project, it was just a means to an end. We could not find a large frame for this odd-sized Chicago bridge poster we have. The poster is approximately 34.5″ H x 15.5″ W. It’s a long, vertical poster that wasn’t more than $25 dollars at a souvenir store from our Chicago trip a while back. I wasn’t trying to pay a ton of money for this frame when the poster itself was reasonably priced. We looked everywhere for something that would work, but it just wasn’t happening. And I wasn’t going to shell out a bunch of money for a customized frame that lacked style. I mean between the glass and the frame, it was just too much.
So one of us suggested we go to an architectural salvage place in downtown Los Angeles. Another confession…this project was completed some time ago. That means the architectural salvage place in downtown LA that we went to is no longer there. But don’t you worry there are plenty more salvage places in and around downtown LA! And if you’re like, I don’t have anything like that around me. Hit up the thrift stores, antique stores or even an estate sale to see if they have anything.
I can’t figure out if it was luck or patience that we found the salvaged window to become the picture frame. Perhaps I was just being overly picky with the style I wanted for the poster? Well whatever it was, me dragging my feet ended up paying off!
OK, let’s find out how we turned the architectural salvaged window into a picture frame.
The window came with glass and a frame, but we were missing a back and hardware to hang the frame up. In order to give the frame a back we purchased a foam board, a 30 H x 40 W x 3/16 inch thickness board at Staples. We measured the height and width of the back of the window to know where to cut the foam. We then took those measurements and outlined them on the foam.
Once it was outlined we took an X-acto knife and cut the foam. And just like that, we had a back.
Now we needed to add something to keep the poster in the frame from falling out. For this we purchased some glazier points from the hardware store. Using a screwdriver you push the pointed tip of the glazier point into the frame, keeping it above the foam board.
We tried to space the glazier points evenly throughout to make sure the foam was secured.
Next, we needed to add hooks to help it hang on the wall. Again, we went to the hardware store, and picked up ready screw d-ring hangers. All you have to do is take a screwdriver and screw them in the back of the frame since the screw is already included. To determine where to place the hangers, we held the picture up to the wall. You want to keep it around the top quarter of the frame.
Lastly, we picked up some hanging wire from the hardware store. We measured the distance in between the hangers. and added room for slack in the wire so it can hang onto the nails on the wall. Once you’ve got the wire, wrap it around one d-ring hanger several times.
String the wire over to the other side and wrap around the d-ring hanger again. With the excess wire on each hanger, wrap the wire around itself for extra security. It make more sense when you look at the picture!
Hey guys, I know that was a rough read but it’s so much simpler when you actually do it! All I know is I’m still in love with the results of our original, one-of-kind picture frame made out of an old window!
How To – Architectural Salvage Picture Frame
Supplies
- Salvaged window frame
- Artwork/Poster
- Foam board
- X-acto knife
- Glazier points
- Ready screw d-ring hangers
- Hanging wire
- Screwdriver
Instructions
- Measure the height and width of the back of the window.
- Pencil those measurements onto the foam.
- Using an X-acto knife, cut the foam to the specifications.
- Clean the window, front and back.
- Place the poster into the frame. Place the foam board on top.
- Figure out how far apart you’d like the glazier points, perhaps a foot apart, and place them on the foam.
- Once you’re determined the spacing, push the pointed tip of the glazier point into the frame and above the foam board with a screwdriver.
- Figure out where to place the ready screw d-ring hangers based on where you are hanging the picture up. You want to keep it around the top quarter of the frame.
- Once you’ve determined where to place the hangers, screw the nails into the back of the frame.
- Measure the distance in between the hangers, and add slack in the wire so it can hang onto the nails on the wall. Take the hanger wire and wrap the wire around one d-ring hanger several times. String the wire over to the other side and wrap around the d-ring hanger again. With the excess wire on each hanger, wrap the wire around itself for extra security.
- Great job! Now hang that your architectural salvage picture frame up!
