The Blog

Standard Mirror Sizes UK: A Complete Reference

A reference to standard mirror sizes in the UK, covering rectangular and round retail sizes in centimetres and inches, sizes by room, full-length mirror sizes, glass options, and bespoke sizing for any size or shape.

What is a Welded Picture Frame?

A welded picture frame is a frame whose mitred corners are joined by welding rather than mechanical fastening or adhesive. Used at sizes and weights where traditional timber joinery would fail. Aluminium-led, made in our dedicated metalwork department for oversized work up to 4.5m x 3.5m.

How Much Does Museum-Grade Framing Cost? A UK Cost Guide

Museum-grade framing starts from around £300 for simple A4. The cost difference over conservation framing comes from materials and aesthetic choices, not from construction complexity. A breakdown of what does and does not add to the bill, with cost ranges by size.

Conservation vs Museum-Grade Framing: What's the Difference?

Conservation framing and museum-grade framing are two tiers of the same archival approach, not synonyms. Where each is the right specification, what the cost difference comes from, and how to ask for the right tier when commissioning bespoke framing.

Floating Frames for Canvas: A Complete UK Guide

A complete UK guide to floating frames for canvas. What they are, how they differ from a tray frame, sizes, finishes, made-to-measure options and cost.

What Is a Tray Frame? (And When to Use One)

A clear explanation of what a tray frame is, how it is built, what it is used for, and when it is the right choice for a canvas or rigid panel.

Conservation Framing: Museum-Grade Protection for Valuable Art

What conservation framing means in practice: the five materials and methods that make a frame museum-grade, when valuable artwork needs it, and what it costs at Harten.

Colour Matching Frames to Interior Schemes

How RAL, NCS, and Pantone colour matching works for bespoke frames, including the spray finishing process, batch consistency, and sample approval workflow.

Framing Architectural Drawings and Blueprints

How to frame architectural drawings and blueprints without causing damage. Covers oversized formats, light sensitivity, preservation options, and display considerations for offices and studios.

Best UV-Protective Glass for Framing Antique Maps and Artwork

Which UV glass to choose for an antique map, watercolour, or original artwork. Direct recommendations for Tru Vue Museum Glass, Optium Museum Acrylic, and Artglass UV70 from a working framer.

Lacing vs Hinging for Textile Framing: Which Technique Is Right?

A practical guide to the two main techniques for mounting textiles in frames. When to use lacing, when hinging works better, and why reversibility matters for valuable pieces.

Framing as a Design Element in Hospitality

How framing contributes to hospitality interiors, from durability and fire safety requirements to batch consistency across multi-room schemes.

Fire-Rated Framing for Commercial Interiors

What fire-rated framing means for artwork in hotels, hospitals and commercial buildings. Materials, compliance requirements, and how to specify framing that meets fire safety standards.

Tray Frame vs Floating Frame: Which Is Right for Your Canvas?

A clear comparison of tray frames and floating frames for canvas art. Covers construction, visual effect, canvas depth, cost and how to choose between them.

How to Specify Framing for Design Projects

A practical guide to writing framing specifications, managing samples and approvals, and coordinating multi-piece projects with your framing partner.

Condensation Inside Picture Frames: Causes, Prevention and Fixes

Why condensation forms inside picture frames, how to spot the early signs, and what proper framing techniques do to prevent moisture damage to your artwork.

Protecting Heirlooms with Conservation Framing

What conservation framing is, how it protects irreplaceable items, and when you need it. A plain-language guide to acid-free materials, UV protection, and reversible mounting.

How to Frame a Football Shirt

A practical guide to framing football shirts properly, covering mounting methods, glazing, signed shirt protection, and what to look for in a professional framer.