How to frame your mosaic artwork without disturbing its charm
(3 min read) Mosaic art is different from painted art in so many ways, but the effect of both can be quite similar at times. On that note, mosaic wall art is usually created in a rectangular shape which is visually quite similar to rectangular paintings on canvas. Keeping in mind the fact that paintings look best when they are properly framed, that can also be true for mosaic art.
Just like paintings, mosaic wall art can also be framed with any type of stained wood. Visually, wooden frames work best for smaller mosaic artworks. This type of framing is done by making a framed base by gluing thinner plywood into a wooden picture frame.
This wooden frame option is particularly convenient because it’s relatively cheap. You can even go thrift shopping for a wooden frame and be lucky enough to find exactly the size you need. However, you have to be careful and look for a sturdy frame without any wonky parts, and strengthening the corners with some aluminum is always a good choice too.
There is one important thing we advise if you are going for a wooden frame — go for a 3mm glass as a base that will hold your mosaic artwork. Glass should be thicker than the usual photo-framing glass, simply because you want to be sure that your beloved mosaic artwork is safe and sound hanging on your accent wall.
Keep in mind that wood, even when lacquered, is not particularly reflective, so it will work best with equally light-neutral tesserae. Wooden frames will work best with marble and ceramic mosaic artworks. Wood won’t complement the glass as well, and if you opt to use it for glass mosaic artwork, the display may end up looking shabby and incoherent.
On the other hand, a bit pricier option, but perfect for glass mosaics, are aluminum frames. Angle aluminum is already available in three sizes and you can choose the size according to the size of your mosaic artwork. However, keep in mind that the narrower the edges, the harder it is to put a screw through them.
When framing with aluminum, a good base to glue the artwork on would be concrete backer board and thick plywood. The wholes for screws are drilled through the plywood, so the aluminum frame can be drilled to the side of the mosaic. This type of framing requires some craftiness with the tools, so you may want to let a pro whitesmith do it.
One of the main advantages of an aluminum frame is that it doesn’t rust, so it is quite resilient just like a mosaic. Aluminum also possesses a nice metallic shine, so it will complement glass mosaic tiles fabulously. Aluminum can give your already amazing glass mosaic artwork a whole new dimension and make it even more captivating.
In the end, if you want to display your mosaic wall art differently, but you don’t want to bother with frames, you can always opt for an easel. I see them more and more these days, as they seem to be gaining popularity due to their clean-cut and yet interesting look. However, keep in mind that, unless you have a spacious home or office, easels are quite impractical.
Here at Mosaics Lab, we are fans of mosaic art in all of its glorious shapes and forms, and if you want to make a frame to complement one of our marvelous artworks, we will help you do it! If you like that finished and rounded look frames tend to give to the artwork, but you were uncertain about how they’ll fit your mosaic art, we hope our advice helped.
This article was originally published on Mosaics Lab’s website.
