4 Pitfalls To Watch Out For With Wood Photo Frames

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 frame, you need to be familiar with the difference between these three types of wood frames: solid wood, composite wood and wood veneer. 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 is the most economical and quality conscious way to have a decorative wood edge on a frame without hand carved or glued-on ornamentation. Inexpensive "wood frames" are also made of composite wood which is why some people associate low quality with composite wood. However, composite doesn't have to mean inexpensive or inferior quality or workmanship. 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. In some cases, the veneer is glued to composite wood. 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 expensive hardwood will allow more frames to be made with this limited resource and is an economical way to make a unique and beautiful wood frame.

Pitfall #2- Wood isn’t Perfect
Many people don’t stop to think that wood is from nature, with all its 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 minimize these variations as much as possible, but be aware that they can occur.

Pitfall #3- Danger of Unfinished Wood
You may already know this pitfall if you've purchased unfinished wood before but the wood can be easily damaged if you're not careful. 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 oily fingerprints as they can leave a mark that can be impossible to remove.

Pitfall #4- Misleading Colors
Wood frame manufacturers describe frames with words like walnut, rosewood, cherry and teak. Don't think of the wood type as being the material used to make the frame. Many people can associate a color with the term so they know the exact color of the wood frame. 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 a solid wood, the description will say “solid walnut” or “solid teak. If it doesn't say solid, it's most likely just 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, wood material like walnut, teak and cherry will be significantly more expensive than a stained solid wood frame.

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.

By: Your Picture Frames

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames.com and is passionate about taking pictures. Your Picture Frames offers a large selection of wooden frames and metal photo frames in a wide variety of sizes, color, finishes and styles.