4 guides
Framing Materials: Mats, Glass, Wood and Moulding
A frame is four decisions: the moulding, the mat, the glazing and the backing. These guides cover what each one is for and where paying more genuinely buys you something.
Picture frame mats and mat sizes
How a mat is measured, the overlap that stops a print falling through, standard mat openings by frame size, and custom mat maths.
Picture frame glass and acrylic glazing
Standard, non-glare, UV and museum glass compared with acrylic on price, weight, clarity and protection — and when each one is the right call.
The best wood for picture frames
Poplar, oak, maple, walnut, ash and pine ranked for stability, finish and cost — plus the woods that warp and ruin a mitre.
Picture frame moulding explained
Rabbet depth, face width, profiles and lineal-foot pricing — how to read a moulding spec and buy the right length for your frame.