Heavy Frame? No Worries. Meet the Aluminium Z-Bar Hanger.

Here at Have it Framed in Edinburgh, we know there is nothing quite as nerve-wracking as hanging a large, heavy piece of art. You’ve spent time choosing the perfect moulding and mounting, but when you get it home, the panic sets in. Will a standard hook hold it? Will it pull the plaster off the wall?

If you’ve picked up a large framed mirror or a substantial piece of artwork from our workshop recently, you might have noticed we’ve attached a silver aluminium bar to the back instead of the usual cord or wire.

This is an Aluminium Z-Bar (often called a French Cleat in the trade), and it is the absolute gold standard for hanging heavy items safely and securely.

Why do we use Z-Bars?

We follow the Fine Art Trade Guild standards, which state clearly that chosen hanging fittings "must be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the complete frame package".

For lighter pictures, wire and D-rings are fine. But for heavy items, the Z-Bar is superior for three reasons:

1. Safety: It spreads the weight of the frame across the width of the wall, rather than concentrating all the stress on a single nail or hook.

2. Flush Finish: Because the system is super slim, your artwork sits flush against the wall. No more leaning forward at the top!

3. Perfectly Level: Once the wall bar is up level, the picture is level. Plus, you can slide the picture left or right slightly to get it exactly centred.

How to use your Z-Bar: A Customer Guide

If you’ve got your frame home and you’re staring at the metal bar, don’t worry. It is actually much easier to install than a traditional wire system.

What you’ll need:

• A drill

• A spirit level (essential!)

• A pencil

• A screwdriver

• Suitable Screws & Wall Plugs for your wall

• A hammer (for the wall plugs)

• Ideally, a second pair of hands to help lift the frame.

  
  

Step 1: Identify the parts

Your Z-Bar system comes in two interlocking pieces.

• Piece A is already screwed onto the back of your frame by us.

• Piece B is the loose bar we gave you (often taped to the back of the frame). This is the one that goes on your wall.

  
  

Step 2: Position the Wall Bar

Hold Piece B (the wall bar) against the wall where you want the picture to go.

• Crucial tip: The "lip" of the bar should be facing upwards and outwards, creating a little pocket for the frame to sit into.

• Place your spirit level on top of the bar to ensure it is dead straight.

  
  

Step 3: Mark and Drill

While holding the bar level against the wall, use your pencil to mark the holes. For a heavy picture, we recommend using at least three screw holes (left, centre, right).

Put the bar down, drill your holes, and gently tap in the wall plugs (

Step 4: Fix the Bar

Screw the bar firmly into the wall plugs. Give it a little tug to make sure it’s solid.

Step 5: The "Click"

This is the satisfying part. Lift your picture frame up. The bar attached to the back of the frame (which faces downwards) simply slots over the bar on the wall (which faces upwards).

Lower the frame slowly until you feel the two bars lock together. Gravity does the rest!

Need a hand?

If you are unsure about the weight of your wall or not confident with a drill, we always recommend hiring a local handyperson. It’s worth it for the peace of mind.

And of course, if you have any questions about the fittings we’ve used on your artwork, just pop into the shop or give us a ring. We want your art to look as good on your wall as it did on our workbench!