When moving to a new home, ensuring the safe transport of your belongings is paramount, particularly when it comes to fragile items like picture frames. Picture frames not only hold financial value but often sentimental value as well, making their safe relocation a priority. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to pack your picture frames for moving, ensuring they arrive at your new home in perfect condition.
Selecting the Right Materials:
The first step in packing picture frames is choosing the right materials. You will need sturdy boxes, ideally ones that are slightly larger than your frames. Specialty picture boxes can be ideal as they are designed specifically for frames and art. Additionally, gather packing paper, bubble wrap, packing tape, and a marker for labelling.
Preparing the Frames:
Before wrapping your frames, ensure they are clean and dry. Remove any dust or debris as these can scratch the glass during transportation. If the frame has a glass cover, consider taping the glass with painter’s tape. Place a large X across the glass with the tape; this will prevent the glass from shattering in case it breaks. If the glass does break, the tape will hold the pieces together, protecting the artwork or photo from damage.
Wrapping Techniques:
Lay out a piece of bubble wrap on a flat surface and place the frame glass side down onto the bubble wrap. Ensure the bubble wrap extends beyond the edges of the frame. Wrap the bubble wrap around the frame securely and tape it so that it stays in place. For additional protection, wrap a layer of packing paper around the bubble-wrapped frame and secure it with tape.
For added security, especially with larger or more valuable frames, consider double wrapping with bubble wrap. Also, filling empty spaces in the box with crumpled packing paper or additional bubble wrap can prevent movement and absorb shocks during transit.
Packing the Frames:
When placing the wrapped frames into the moving box, position them vertically, as this reduces the pressure on the frames and minimises the risk of damage. Ensure that each frame is snugly fitted and does not move around in the box. If there is extra space, fill it with more crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap.
For multiple frames in one box, wrap each one individually and place cardboard dividers between them to prevent any contact. This is particularly important if the frames are not the same size or if their edges are ornate and could potentially damage each other.
Labelling and Final Checks:
After sealing the box, label it clearly with the contents and destination room, and mark it as ‘Fragile’ on multiple sides to ensure careful handling. Before moving day, give the box a gentle shake to check for any movement. If you hear objects shifting, open the box and add more padding as necessary.
Choosing a Reliable Removal and/or Storage Provider:
For those looking for extra assurance, hiring a professional removal and storage provider can make a significant difference. These experts have the experience and resources to handle fragile items and can offer tailored services, from providing high-quality packing materials to offering insurance for valuable goods.
In conclusion, packing picture frames for a move requires careful planning and execution. By following these steps and considering professional help, you can ensure your picture frames—and the memories they hold—arrive safely at your new home.
