Should You Frame a Box Canvas? Frames, Float Frames and Glass

No, a box canvas does not need a frame. It is made to hang as it is: the canvas wraps around a deep wooden stretcher, the edges are finished, and it sits on the wall as a solid object. Framing one is a matter of taste, not protection.

That said, a frame can change how a painting sits in a room, and a well chosen one can make a small work feel more substantial. Here is how to decide.

Leaving it unframed

Most contemporary paintings on box canvas are shown unframed, in galleries and in homes. The painting runs right to the edge, the depth of the stretcher gives it presence, and there is nothing between you and the paint. It is also the cheapest option and the easiest to hang, which we cover in hanging an unframed canvas.

If you like a clean, modern look, or the painting is large, leaving it bare is usually right.

Float frames

A float frame, sometimes called a tray frame, is the usual way to frame a canvas. The painting sits inside a shallow wooden tray with a small gap all round, so it appears to float within the frame rather than being gripped by it. Nothing covers the front edge of the painting.

It suits smaller works that could otherwise look lost on a wall, and it gives a finished edge if the canvas sides are unpainted. Natural wood, black and white are the common choices. Any framer can make one to measure. Take the painting with you, since box canvases vary in depth.

Traditional frames

A traditional moulding, with a rebate that holds the edge of the painting, suits some works very well, particularly older-style oils, portraits and small pieces. On a deep box canvas it can look heavy, and it will hide the edge of the picture, so it is worth trying before committing.

Some paintings are sold already framed. Several of Artur Rama's smaller pieces come in recycled wood frames, as listed on each work's page.

Do oil and acrylic paintings need glass?

Almost never. Glass is for works on paper, such as watercolours, drawings and prints, which need protecting from touch, dust and moisture. Oil and acrylic paintings are tough by comparison, and they are usually varnished, which does the protecting.

Glass also causes problems. It adds reflections and weight, and if it touches the paint surface it can stick to it or trap moisture against it. If you ever do glaze a painting, a framer will use a spacer to keep the glass well clear of the surface.

The short answer

Leave a box canvas bare unless you have a reason to frame it. If you want a frame, a float frame is the safe choice. Skip the glass. For keeping the painting in good condition, where you hang it matters far more than what surrounds it, and our guide to caring for a painting explains why.