Wood Picture Frames - 4 Pitfalls to Avoid Before You Buy



Posted: Thursday, December 31, 2009

by
YourPictureFrames.com

Wood photo frames are a favorite choice for displaying special photos however there are a few drawbacks that you should know about. Before you shop for that perfect wood picture frame, you need to be aware of these four pitfalls.

Pitfall #1- Mistaken Identity
When shopping for a wood picture frame, you need to understand the difference between the three types of wood frames: solid wood frames, composite wood frames and wood veneer frames. These differences are important because the cost of the frame will vary widely depending upon the type of wood used to make it.

Solid wood frames don't need any explaining but composite wood frames are made out of tiny wood pieces glued together with a special adhesive.  Decorative frames, frames with beaded borders, decorative round frames or oval frames are all made of composite wood. It's the most economical and quality conscious way to create a decorative wood edge without the high cost of hand carving or the poor appearance of glue-on wood ornamentation. Inexpensive "wood frames" are also made of composite wood which is why people often assume low quality with composite wood. However, composite doesn't mean low quality. It's simply a more environmentally sustainable and superior way to make ornate and decorative wood frames.

Wood veneer gives the real look of an expensive or rare wood without having to waste limited resources. Wood veneer is a thin sliver of high quality wood, like an exotic or local hardwood, that's glued to a less expensive piece of solid wood. The veneer can also be glued to composite wood in some cases. The beautiful look of burl wood is a great example of when a wood veneer is best used. High end hardwoods are very expensive and there's no point in having a solid burl wood frame when you can only see the outside. A veneer of an exotic or high quality hardwood is a more economical way to make a unique frame and allows more frames to be made from this limited resource.

Pitfall #2- Wood is Not Perfect
Most people like the look of wood but sometimes forget it's natural and can come with imperfections. Do not expect your wood frame to be perfect. For most people it's the color variations, natural wood grain and natural imperfections (like wood knots) that make wood frames beautiful. High quality frame manufacturers do minimize these variations however be aware that they can happen.

Pitfall #3- Danger of Unfinished Wood
You may already be aware of this pitfall if you have purchased unfinished wood pieces before but unfinished wood can easily be damaged. Unfinished frames are made of raw wood with no protective lacquer or coating to seal the wood and protect the frame from damage. Generally most frames are "finished" so the best way to spot an unfinished frame is to feel the rough natural wood texture. Unfinished wood frames can easily be damaged by water or any sticky or oily substance that may come into direct contact with the frame. Be especially careful with water or greasy fingerprints as they can leave a mark on the unfinished wood frame that can be difficult to fix.

Pitfall #4- Misleading Colors
Manufacturers of wood frames describe frames with words like cherry, walnut, rosewood or teak. Do not think of this wording as the type of wood used to make the frame. It's just easier to help people understand the actual color of the frame by relating it to a recognized wood color. Most frames are stained these colors but are rarely made of solid woods like cherry, walnut, rosewood or teak. Usually if a frame is made out of solid wood, the description will identify the frame as "solid" like "solid walnut" or "solid teak." If it doesn't say this, it is most likely stained that color. Reading the frame description carefully or asking the frame retailer is the best way to know for sure if you are looking at a solid walnut frame, for example, or a wood frame stained a walnut color. Also, solid wood like teak, cherry or walnut will be considerably more expensive than staining a wood frame made out of a less expensive wood.

By remembering, and avoiding, these potential pitfalls when buying wood frames, you will save yourself time and money and be pleased with a wood picture frame that is perfect for you and your favorite photo.

Author Bio: Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames.com and is passionate about taking pictures. Your Picture Frames offers a large selection of quality picture frames in a wide variety of sizes, color, finishes and styles. To shop for wooden picture frames or visit our website or call 1-800-780-0699.
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